Presented by Illinois Public Media, this exciting series brings the very best of recent art films and documentaries to the Virginia Theatre.

THE DUKE (2022)
Rated R 
96 Min

Based on actual events.

In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, stole Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. It was the first (and remains the only) theft in the Gallery's history.

Kempton sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for the elderly—he had long campaigned for pensioners to receive free television.

What happened next became the stuff of legend. Only 50 years later did the full story emerge - Kempton had spun a web of lies. The only truth was that he was a good man, determined to change the world and save his marriage—how and why he used the Duke to achieve that is a wonderfully uplifting tale.





THE ARTHOUSE EXPERIENCE Film Series
Described as limited-release, high-quality titles that have captured the imagination of movie lovers, the Virginia Theatre’s Arthouse Experience Film Series is programmed by special guest curator Sanford Hess.

The movies that Mr. Hess selects—a mix of award-winners, Ebertfest favorites, and recent classics—are presented one Friday each month on the Virginia’s 52-foot wide movie screen, with state-of-the-art surround sound.

Each film will be followed by a post-show discussion and in some cases an on-stage talk by directors, producers, and other special guests. Presented by Illinois Public Media, home of WILL-TV, WILL-AM, and WILL-FM.