Film "Into the Wild," based on the book by Jon Krakauer, to be screened at UAlbany February 29, 2016

Screening in conjunction with Krakauer appearance at UAlbany on February 23rd

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Still from film "Into the Wild" (2007, directed by Sean Penn)

ALBANY, NY (02/05/2016)(readMedia)-- INTO THE WILD (United States, 2007, 148 minutes, color, directed by Sean Penn) will be shown on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in Page Hall, 135 Western Avenue, on the University at Albany's downtown campus. Sponsored by the New York State Writers Institute as part of its Spring 2016 Classic Film Series, the screening is free and open to the public.

Adapted by director Sean Penn from Jon Krakauer's bestselling book, INTO THE WILD tells the true, tragic story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who cashes in his savings and makes his way to Alaska to fulfill his dream of making a home and living free in the wilderness. The film stars Emile Hirsch, Hal Holbrook, and Catherine Kenner. Roger Ebert called the film "spellbinding ... a reflective, regretful, serious film about a young man swept away by his uncompromising choices." A.O. Scott of the New York Times said the film "...finds epic resonance in a tale of youthful wandering ... [It] is a movie about the desire for freedom that feels, in itself, like the fulfillment of that desire."

The film received numerous accolades including an Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Hal Holbrook; Outstanding Performance nominations from the Screen Actors Guild for Emile Hirsh, Hal Holbrook, and Catherine Keener; Golden Globe award for Best Original Song (Eddie Vedder for "Guarantee"); and was selected by the American Film Institute as one of the Top Ten films of the Year.

The film is being screened in conjunction with the appearance of best-selling author Jon Krakauer at UAlbany on Tuesday, February 23rd. Krakauer will hold an informal seminar at 4:15 p.m. in the Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center on UAlbany's uptown campus, and will discuss his newest book "Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town," at 8:00 p.m. in Page Hall, 135 Western Avenue, on the downtown campus.

For additional information contact the Writers Institute at 518-442-5620 or online at www.albany.edu/writers-inst.

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