HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Wednesday, November 6th President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush hosted a special screening of 'The Book Thief' in Houston, TX. The theater was packed with 300 of their guests including the Bushes' sons Marvin and Neil; former Houston Mayor Bill White and his wife Andrea; former ambassador to Spain Eduardo Aguirre and his wife Tere; former Iranian diplomat Hushang Ansary and his wife Shahla; former California congressman Michael Huffington; and former ConocoPhillips chairman Archie Dunham. Mrs. Bush also invited all of the Saintly Stitchers from St. Martin's church to attend (they meet once a week to needlepoint.) Juan (the beloved janitor in the Bush building), also brought his daughter, and one of 41's favorite nurses from last year, Ruby, was present.
The screening was met with applause and followed by a lively Q&A featuring author Markus Zusak, director Brian Percival and stars Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nélisse moderated by Ernie Manouse of KUHT. Producer Karen Rosenfelt and Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler were also in attendance. President George H.W. Bush: "I was deeply moved by this truly wonderful movie, which dramatized in a powerful way both the horrors of any war but also the abiding humanity that helped to sustain and save so many against a rising tide of evil so many years ago."Mrs. Barbara Bush: "I would have loved this incredible film under any circumstance, but the fact that one of the key plot lines involved a caring adult teaching a precious child to read -- well, that was the icing on the cake. What a painful, tender and ultimately rewarding story so very well told by all involved."
Photo selects are available via the Dropbox below.
PHOTO CREDIT: John Lewis
Link to images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nwx7fudoibayhbo/VbfhpqkGB5
Image Description by file number:
2801: Director Brian Percival shaking hands with President George H.W. Bush while Sophie Nélisse, Mrs. Barbara Bush and Geoffrey Rush look on
2813: Sophie Nélisse, Director Brian Percival, President George H.W. Bush, Mrs. Barbara Bush, Geoffrey Rush
2824: Sophie Nélisse, Director Brian Percival, President George H.W. Bush, Mrs. Barbara Bush, Geoffrey Rush, 'The Book Thief' Author Markus Zusak
2833: Producer Karen Rosenfelt shaking hands with President George H.W. Bush, Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler shaking hands with Mrs. Barbara Bush while Director Brian Percival and Geoffrey Rush look on
2835: Producer Karen Rosenfelt shaking hands with Mrs. Barbara Bush with Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler, Director Brian Percival and President George H.W. Bush
2837: Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler, Director Brian Percival, President George H.W. Bush, Mrs. Barbara Bush and Producer Karen Rosenfelt
2867: Sophie Nélisse speaking with President George H.W. Bush
2871: Sophie Nélisse and President George H.W. Bush
2881: President George H.W. Bush, Mrs. Barbara Bush and 'The Book Thief' Author Markus Zusak
2899: Moderator Ernie Manouse, Geoffrey Rush and 'The Book Thief' Author Markus Zusak
About 20th Century Fox Film
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, 20th Century Fox Film produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of 20th Century Fox Film: 20th Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions, 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios.
