Emmy-winning actress Loretta Swit narrates "Never the Same"
The Montana Museum of Art and Culture presents the film “Never the Same” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Masquer Theatre of the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center at the University of Montana. The documentary chronicles the experiences of American prisoners of war held by the Japanese during World War II, and is presented in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition, “Human Condition: The Art of Ben Steele.”
A Q-and-A session follows the screening with director Jan Thompson and the film’s narrator, award-winning actress Loretta Swit, famous for her portrayal of Margaret “Hotlips” Houlihan on “M*A*S*H,” one of the most popular TV series in history. Her all-star supporting cast includes Ed Asner, Alec Baldwin, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, Robert Forster, Christopher Franciosa, Robert Loggia, Christopher Murray, Don Murray, John O’Hurley, Kathleen Turner, Robert Wagner and Sam Waterston. Together, these distinguished actors dramatize the diaries and moving, yet often hilarious, poems, and narrate forbidden drawings and cartoons.
The film, which consists of compelling interviews with 25 former POWs (including Ben Steele), does not shy away from the daily trials of prison camp life; it unflinchingly paints a grim portrait of the ways that men were forced to survive three and half years of captivity. It also tells the story of one of the most infamous Hell Ship journeys where prisoners were packed in the holds in conditions similar to the African slave trade.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to screen my film during Ben Steele’s important exhibition,” Thompson said. “I hope the audience will more fully understand what Ben experienced while he was a POW after seeing my film in which he plays a significant role.”
A meet-and-greet party with Thompson and Swit takes place before the screening from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Missoula Children’s Theatre. Tickets to the party cost $25 each and may be reserved by calling 406-243-2019. Proceeds will benefit the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Memorial Society and MMAC.
“Loretta Swit is an icon among television stars,” MMAC Director Barbara Koostra said. “We’re thrilled she’s coming to Missoula to share her love and respect for veterans, especially Ben Steele, whose POW collection is among the remarkable works in the MMAC Permanent Collection.”
The Paxson and Meloy galleries will be open 30 minutes before and after the film screening for patrons to view the current exhibitions.
“We hope the combination of the exhibition, film and veteran advocacy will inspire and enlighten our audience,” Koostra said.
“Human Condition: The Art of Ben Steele” is comprised of works from the museum’s Permanent Collection and presented as a part of the museum’s ongoing commitment to display the veteran’s artwork.
MMAC recently was named an Editor’s Choice pick on TripAdvisor’s Travel Pod blog for cultural organizations to visit this summer in Montana. The organization, which marks its 120th anniversary this year, has a collection of nearly 11,000 pieces of art.