First Friday Films, Nov. 7, 6:30 - 8:45 pm: Hugo (2011)

When his father dies unexpectedly, 12-year-old Hugo takes up hidden residence behind the walls of a Parisian train station. There, he meets Isabelle, goddaughter of the elderly, unsmiling toymaker, Georges Méliès, who holds the key to Hugo’s destiny.

As a young man, Méliès was one of the greatest early innovators of filmmaking and is credited with accidentally discovering stop-action special effects and creating the first film studio. Set in the 1930s, the action takes place in the humongous Gare Montparnasse train station. Overall, the backstory and main points of the film are an accurate depiction of Georges Méliès’ life. Film buffs will get a glimpse of Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat, shot in 1897. The film is based on Brian Selznick’s award-winning book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

All Hugo has left from his beloved father is a broken automaton, which he is desperate to fix; meanwhile, his survival depends on ensuring that all the clocks at the train station keep perfect time. Sacha Baron Cohen plays a menacing one-legged station agent who delights in sending street children who wander into the station to the local orphanage. A frightening Doberman assists him in terrorizing the children while he cracks his whip. Together, they are Hugo’s double nemesis.

The film stars Sir Ben Kinsley, Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sir Christopher Lee, Frances de la Tour, Jude Law, and Emily Mortimer. It is directed by Martin Scorsese, the screenplay is by John Logan and Howard Shore did the music. “Hugo” won five Academy Awards, two BAFTAs and a Golden Globe. Join us for popcorn during, discussion after. 126 min. PG rated, Free.