WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Missouri State University-West Plains’ annual film series will continue at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, with the showing of the Academy Award-nominated film “Lilies of the Field” at the West Plains Civic Center theater.

This year’s series is celebrating Missouri State-West Plains’ 50th anniversary by featuring films from 1963, the year the campus was established, organizers said.  Admission is free.

Based on the William E. Barrett novel, “Lilies of the Field” tells the story of traveling African American handyman Homer Smith, portrayed by Sidney Poitier, who is forced to stop at a farm in the southwestern United States run by a group of Catholic nuns from Communist-held eastern Europe when his car overheats.  Mother Superior, portrayed by Lilia Skala, believes the handyman’s visit is an answer to her prayers for help in building a “schapel” to serve the people in the area, whose only place of worship is a mobile field chapel led by a traveling priest.

During the course of the movie, Homer and Mother Superior butt heads again and again over who is building the chapel and who is providing the materials.  At one point, Homer seems to have reached his own boiling point on the project and leaves, only to come back determined to build the chapel on his own.  His determination convinces other community members, believers and non-believers alike, to contribute labor and materials for the task.  By the end, everyone seems to have gained a new hope and new understanding about themselves and each other.

Poitier won a Best Actor Oscar in 1964 for his portrayal of Homer Smith.  The film also received nominations for best picture, best supporting actress (Skala), best cinematography for black and white films, and best adapted screenplay.  It also was named one of the top 10 films of the year by the National Board of Review.

Dave Malone, per course English and film instructor at the university, will facilitate discussion following the movie’s showing.

This is the 14th year for the film series, hosted by the University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department.  Movies will be shown at 6 p.m. every Thursday night in February.

For more information about the annual film series, call the U/CP Department office at 417-255-7966.