SFA to present screening of 'Man on Wire'

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - As part of its monthly film series, the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free one-night screening of "Man on Wire" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, in the Ledbetter Gallery of The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches.

James Marsh's 94-minute documentary centers around the feat of Philippe Petit, a young Frenchman who on Aug. 7, 1974, illegally walked on a wire he and accomplices had rigged between New York's twin towers. Through testimonies of Philippe and his co-conspirators, Marsh brings to life the adventure that became known as the artistic crime of the century.

In 2008 the film won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and was named Best Documentary by the Chicago, Los Angeles and Southeastern Film Critics Associations. It is rated PG-13.

For a preview of the film, visit www.manonwire.com/trailer.swf.

The screening is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Junior Forum. For more information, please call (936) 468-1131.