BELL MANOR PARK
Thursday, August 22, 2024

Mary poppins

With the short film TOTO

A silver screen classic, Mary Poppins celebrates its 60th anniversary year in 2024. The Banks family children wish for a nanny who is more fun than their uptight father’s ideal version of a caregiver – and when Mary Poppins (played by incomparable singing and acting legend Julie Andrews) shows up at their door, their dream comes true. After she hires herself on the spot, and convinces Mr. Banks it was indeed his idea, Mary immediately sweeps magic and music into the children’s lives. With the help of Mary’s charismatic chimney sweep friend Bert (Dick Van Dyke), the two transport the children into enchanting imaginary worlds to teach them lessons about kindness and respecting all those around you. Based on P.L. Travers’ classic book, Mary Poppins shows audiences the significant and lasting impact caregivers of all kinds have on young children.

Care workers do not only care for the young, of course. In Toronto writer-director Marco Baldonado’s futuristic fable TOTO, a 90-year-old Nonna named Rosa finds herself being taken care of by her new robot, TOTO. The two bond as Rosa teaches TOTO her spaghetti sauce recipe, and the high-tech aid becomes a source of comfort in her life as they fall into a routine together. But when Rosa’s great-granddaughter comes to visit,TOTO’s ability to care for Rosa is compromised and their special relationship is threatened, reminding us of the ambivalent joys and dangers of technology-mediated connection.

This screening will be presented with optional pre-recorded Audio Description available for blind, low vision, or visually impaired audience members. More information about this accessibility feature is available at TOpictureshow.com/audio. Other accessibility features available at TOPS events, including open captioning, are outlined at TOpictureshow.com/accessibility.