A charity success for 'The Butler'
Published:Friday | August 16, 2013 | 12:00 AM
There were showers of blessings at the movie premiere of Lee Daniels' The Butler at the Palace Cineplex on Tuesday night. Despite the inclement weather, a multitude of persons gathered on the outskirts of the Cineplex, anxiously waiting for the doors of the theatre to open.
A buzz of conversation ensued as guests came out in fine fashion, dressed warmly and comfortably, yet elegantly for the occasion. Donned in shawls and big umbrellas in hand, they indulged in the delectable wines provided by the organisers, the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI).
As the starting time drew closer, so did the crowd at the door. Standing their ground, many fanned for fresh air in high anticipation. The doors opened promptly at 7:55 p.m. and all made their way into the lobby. The socialising continued, with many visiting the concession stands to purchase delectable eats for the movie.
As guests filed into the movie theatre, Mercedes Benz, who coloured the floor below with their cars, gave away sweet treats branded in black Mercedes Benz boxes. With all seated, a representative from the WLI expressed joy at the tremendous turnout, and thanked all for coming and supporting the event in spite of the weather. The movie premiere doubled as a charity event for the WLI and they saw it fitting to show an epic, true story dealing with issues of family as they celebrate their 10th year of existence. Two gate prizes were awarded to lucky audience members holding the right ticket before the main feature got under way.
The motion picture, sans the regular intermission, showcased a star-studded cast delivering an awe-inspiring story of America's history, specifically its politics, through the life of an African-American butler who served several presidents during the peak of racism. The almost capacity audience laughed heartily at every joke, gasped at every heartbreaking event on the big screen, and at the end, applauded the central character for his remarkable life-changing journey.