Special reporter for “The Vault” Gretchen attended the premiere screening of Anna Paquin’s latest movie “The Courageous Heart Of Irena Sendler” Monday night (April 13) at the Darryl F. Zanuck Theatre in Hollywood.
“One of the most memorable nights of my life started when I stepped into Fox Studios last April 13th.
I was fortuitous to have been able to join in the advance screening of “The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler”, starring Anna Paquin, Marcia Gay Harden and Goran Visnjic. This was a made-for-TV biopic focused on the self-sacrificing deeds of Irena Sendler, a magnanimous heroine and a Polish-Christian social worker, who spent much of her days in war torn Poland, risking life everyday by rescuing the Jewish children of the Warsaw Ghetto.
Anna Paquin portrays Sendler with a fervent passion. Every beautiful, pained expression she displays tugs at your heart strings in moments when her vulnerability was tested and when she wished she could have saved more. I found myself clutching my chest numerous times, feeling as if my heart has been wrenched when I saw devastated parents parting with their children, knowing full well that that would be the final time they’ll be in each other’s lives. When Irena was finally caught and inhumanely tortured by the Gestapo, the fear for her life became my own.
The movie ends showing a video clip of the real Irena Sendler, giving thoughtful praise to the courage and unconditional love of the Jewish mothers who gave their children a fighting chance of surviving the hellish war and the Polish Christian mothers who put their lives at risk by welcoming the orphaned children as their own. I finally learned why it took a long time for Irena’s courage to be worldly known, and was introduced to the industrious efforts of four brilliant rural Kansas high school girls who, in 1999, were responsible for breathing Irena’s story to life; by creating the play, “Life in a Jar”. One of the surviving children Irena saved was also presented to the audience.
Equally notable that night was the arrival of Anna Paquin, accompanied by Stephen Moyer and Sam Trammel; all of whom just attended the Paley Festivities that night. I can not tell you enough how beside myself with excitement I was when Stephen Moyer, who was wonderfully kind and dashing as well, lead me to meet the movie’s biggest star, Anna Paquin. Those two embraced me with such warm kindheartedness that it made my heart swell with admiration. The night was memorable indeed. In a few hours time, I had met new friends, new colleagues and learned a better understanding and awareness of the testament of courage, life and legacy of Irena Sendler.”
Stephen Moyer, Gretchen and Anna Paquin at the premiere
THE COURAGEOUS HEART OF IRENA SENDLER, a new “Hallmark Hall of Fame” presentation to be broadcast Sunday, April 19 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Read more about “The Courageous Heart Of Ireana Sendler” in our Special with photos, movie clips and a video interview with Anna Paquin.
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I’m so jelous of that woman to have met them! Hehe
And I also read somewhere that she had told Stephen that she was there to see Anna or something and she said that Stephen looked so proud of Anna and said things like “Wasn’t it a good movie? “Wasn’t she wonderful” And you could see how much he loved her, and he was beaming when he talked about her. Awww!
I really want to see the movie too. It’s an important movie that people need to see and learn from
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I so look forward to seeing this movie. Wonderful article and congrats on meeting Stephen and Anna.
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Wonderful article, You made us so proud to be Billsbabes. Thank you for sharing your experience of a lifetime with us. I knew Stephen and Anna were genuine nice people and I am glad that it was confirmed. I wish I could have been there.
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Aww, and apparently when he came over to her, “they hugged and kissed as if they haven’t seen each other in ages. Those two have been living under the same roof and they act that way. What a lovely couple indeed”
Squeee! Hehe
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Thanks so much for sharing all of this with us. I am so looking forward to seeing this movie on Sunday.
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I’ll be watching on Sunday. You’re review makes me want to see Anna Paquin’s portrayal of this heroic woman. An important story, to be sure. Gretchen, you handled this with great aplomb, and I’m glad that they treated you so nicely.
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O.K. where do I apply? I want to be a part of this team! Can you imagine meeting both of them… at the same time? OMG how amazing is that! Gretchen…. you lucky beautiful girl!
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I’m not sure I want to meet them because I probably would go crazy and scare them away, LOL
….Seriously
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Thank you so much, Gretchen! I loved reading your recap of the movie, and your picture with Stephen and Anna is simply TO DIE FOR!!! How special that must have been, not only attending the premiere but getting to meet and take pictures with them both. They sound like such nice people and so appreciative of the fans.
I’m very much looking forward to Anna’s movie, but I have a feeling I’ll have to watch it in bits and pieces since I’m sure it will be a tearjerker. Such an important subject matter, but so very hard to watch.
Thank you again for sharing your story with us!
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Gretchen, thank you for attending and for the great article. Stephen and Anna are both wonderful people and appreciative of their fans. I will definitely be watching this on Sunday, but I will probably have to stock up on tissues first.
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I appreciate everyone’s kind words. Thank you so so so much.
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BittenByBill you did the Billsbabes proud !
What a beautiful review of the film without giving too much away, Gretchen! I want to personally thank you for attending the premiere of the Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.
I can’t wait to see it ! I will be watching this on Sunday, April 19th @ 9:00pm est on CBS. Hallmark makes so many wonderful films !
You all look so lovely in the photo, thank you for sharing that with us !
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I can only agree with everyone else. BBB you did the Billsbabes proud and your article makes me want to see the movie more then I did before. I knew Anna and Stephen would be so nice they try to keep their lives private but when they have to be out there they do it with grace and kindness, all the more reason to love them.
Thanks again Gretchen the photo of you and them is great.
Thanks Shad for having this here. I love being able to find all this great stuff in such a great place.
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Gretchen,
I agree with everyone else…. what a memorable night for you! Your picture is beautiful & it’s so nice to know Anna & Stephen are as wonderful as they seem.
Shad, your work here is amazing! There’s new stuff every time I log on! I LOVE IT:)
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BBB, great article & picture. You must have been over the top all evening & the next day. You were a class act. Thanks.
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BittenByBIll: You did a great job representing Billsbabes ! Thank you for the movie recap. I can’t wait to see it. It sends a truly important message.
It looked like a really fun evening. What evening would not be fun in the presence of the Board God? It seems that Anna and Stephen are very gracious people. Kinda “just folks”. Again, wonderful job!
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Thank you BBB for sharing your thoughts about the movie (can’t wait to see it) and about meeting Stephen and Anna. You’ve done a lovely job! What an amazing experience you must have had.
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Congrats on the exclusive! Gretchen, that was terrific to read! And the picture of you all together is wonderful!
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Thank you Gretchen! I am looking forward to seeing the film one day… but you all who can see it now, enjoy your Sunday!
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BittenByBill you really did a great job with this “assignment”! What a wonderful film it appears to be. Anna obviously takes it very much to heart. I cannot wait to see it. You looked absolutely wonderful that night and I am glad you had such a wonderful time.
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Stephen and Anna looked honored to be photographed with you.
Great Job.
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Thanks BBB for the great job you did on writing this review, and for being such a great representive of the Billsbabes! I can’t wait to see this movie Sunday night!
I am so glad for you, you lucky lady you, that you got to meet and to have your picture taken with both Anna & Stephen. What a great night for you! Stephen and Anna are so nice to their fans and everyone around them, what a great couple they are.
Can I say something here? BBB you are absolutely beautiful! You could be a movie star yourself! Love your dimples, so cute!
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