OPERATION PACIFIC (1951)
Saturday, May 26 @ 1PM
Pollard Memorial Library
401 Merrimack Street, Lowell
Free admission! 

If your Saturday plans have you craving a classic film, head over to Lowell’s Pollard Memorial Library for their special FREE Memorial Day Weekend Matinee and film tribute to The Duke on his 105th birthday (hard to believe, right?) In today’s feature, all-American icon John Wayne (born Marion Robert Morrison) joins the beautiful Patricia Neal in the 1951 Operation Pacific, critically considered to be Wayne’s finest film.

The Pollard Memorial Library is most excellent at selecting great titles for all of us to enjoy during all occasions, and free admission to boot, courtesy of the Friends of the Pollard Library. Our big thanks to Lowell’s local treasure (and a Kerouac haunt) for bringing fabulous film to the Mill City. And by the way, be sure to mark your calendars for the 2nd Thursday of each month for the library’s monthly Independent Film Night … their next indie film date is Thursday, June 14!

Join us for the regional premiere!

TOUGH LOVE: A MEDITATION ON DOMINANCE AND DOGS
Special Guests: Director Chad Montrie & Editor Nathan Hendrie
Tuesday, June 26 @ 7PM
Lowell, MA — Location TBA
Free admission! 

We’ve been anxiously awaiting the premiere of this very unique documentary by our friend, documentarian, and fellow cinephile Chad Montrie, a Lowell resident and professor of history at UMass Lowell. His newest work, Tough Love: A Meditation on Dominance and Dogs, will have its regional premiere right here in the Mill City on Tuesday, June 26 at 7PM (at a soon-to-be-disclosed location) and has a Boston premiere in the works. We’ll be sure to update everyone on the local venue for June 26 and on additional details as they arise.

Filmmaker and UMass Lowell Professor Chad Montrie.

We’ll be posting the official press release in the next couple of days, but for now, we invite you to learn more about Chad’s project by visiting Anchorholdfilms.com. We’re sure you’ll be amazed at the subject matter, which should be a very special treat for all you dog-lovers as well as anyone at all curious about the human condition.

More details to come, friends! For now, please SAVE THE DATE and help us spread the word about this highly anticipated film event.

BEFORE YOUR EYES (2010)
Thursday, May 10 @ 6:30PM
Pollard Memorial Library
401 Merrimack Street, Lowell
Free admission! 

Every second Thursday of the month is Independent Film Night at Pollard Memorial Library here in downtown Lowell, giving all us film lovers a great opportunity to stretch our indie film wings and enjoy great foreign fare and film fest titles. Indie Film Night comes to all of us FREE of charge, courtesy of the Friends of the Pollard Library, so mark your calendars for the second Thursday of every month for an indie film fix right here in the Mill City!

ABOUT THE FILM
Ten year old Gulistan and her brother Firat live in the heart of Turkish Kurdistan. Tragedy strikes when their parents are shot down by paramilitary gunmen before their very eyes. Traumatized and orphaned, Gulistan and Firat try to care for their infant sister, but their money soon runs out and they’re forced onto the street. It is there that Gulistan meets the part-time escort Dilara. Accompanying her on a hotel call one day, Gulistan is shocked to recognize Dilara’s client as the murderer of her parents, and she devises a method of revenge. Miraz Bezar’s award-winning film will be presented in Turkish & Kurdish with English subtitles.

Click here  to view the film trailer and to learn more about Bezar’s remarkable film.

]]> http://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/2012/05/07/before-your-eyes-screens-at-pollard-library-for-independent-film-night-may-10/feed/ 0 lowellfilm "Before Your Eyes" screens in Lowell, May 10! http://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/2012/05/05/weve-scheduled-a-last-minute-film-screening-join-us-today-for-the-economics-of-happiness-at-city-hall-in-lowell/ http://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/2012/05/05/weve-scheduled-a-last-minute-film-screening-join-us-today-for-the-economics-of-happiness-at-city-hall-in-lowell/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 04:21:29 +0000 lowellfilm http://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/?p=5549 ]]>

THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS (2011)
Saturday, May 5
10:30AM: Speaking Program, City Hall steps
11:30AM: Film Screening, Mayor’s Reception Room
Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street
Free event! 

Part of the Global Awareness for Climate Change event
“Connect the Dots”
taking place around the world on May 5! 

Today on May 5, 2012, people around the world are volunteering, documenting, educating and protesting to support communities on the front lines of climate change! Record-breaking heat waves in Russia, wildfires in Australia, floods in Thailand. Every time we pick up the newspaper and read about another record-breaking natural disaster, it becomes increasingly clear that climate change is not a future problem — it’s happening right now. “Connect the Dots” is a project of 350.org and partner organizations to shine a spotlight on the connections between extreme weather and climate change. We will use those connections to issue a wake-up call for our communities, the media, and our politicians. We’ll kick off the project with Climate Impacts Day on 5/5/12, when thousands of communities around the world come together to take action to Connect the Dots and call for urgent action to stop the climate crisis. 

Who: You, your neighbors, family, friends, and the rest of climate movement.
What: Actions – rallies, presentations, art projects, and more – that help your community connect the dots between extreme weather and climate change.
Where: All over the world.
When: May 5, 2012 (and beyond)
Why: Because climate change is not a future problem. It is happening right now, and it is devastating communities around the world. 

Join us for this FREE public event in Lowell and be one of thousands around the world participating in this “day of action” in support of climate change awareness! 

Visit ClimateDots.org to learn more! 

]]> http://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/2012/05/05/weve-scheduled-a-last-minute-film-screening-join-us-today-for-the-economics-of-happiness-at-city-hall-in-lowell/feed/ 0 lowellfilm "The Economics of Happiness" screens Saturday, May 5 in Lowell! http://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/2012/05/01/lowell-folklife-series-presents-indian-food-traditions-with-guest-speaker-film-screening-of-monsoon-wedding-may-4/ http://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/2012/05/01/lowell-folklife-series-presents-indian-food-traditions-with-guest-speaker-film-screening-of-monsoon-wedding-may-4/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 04:30:05 +0000 lowellfilm http://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/?p=5522 ]]> TONIGHT!

Lowell National Historical Park presents

Sweet Happiness: Wedding Foods in India
with Guest Speaker Krina Patel PLUS a film screening of

MONSOON WEDDING (2001)

Friday, May 4 @ 7:30PM
Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center
246 Market Street, Lowell
Free admission!

Come meet and be inspired by artist and educator Krina Patel as she shares her passion for Indian Food Traditions, most especially the traditional sweets that are central to a Hindu wedding in India. Please note that your tastebuds will ALSO be treated, as Ms. Patel will also bring luscious samples of typical Indian wedding foods for all to enjoy!

After Ms. Patel’s talk, we know you’ll be inspired to stay for a special screening of the breathtaking award-winning film Monsoon Wedding, which beautifully captures the sounds, smells, and sights of an Indian wedding ceremony while emotionally engaging you with a compelling storyline. We hope you’ll  join us for this next great event of the 2012 Lowell Folklife Series, presented by Lowell National Historical Park!

This great event is FREE and open to the public and proudly co-sponsored by the Lowell Film Collaborative.

To Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union for opening their doors to us –
To Tony & Margaret for creating a remarkable film –
To Don for sharing his beautiful uke music collection –
To Dan for leading a fabulous strum-a-long –
To Caroline, Rita and Howl in Lowell for the great coverage – 
and finally
To all the UKERS & UKE-lovers who came out to celebrate music, film & community –

WE THANK YOU — last night was absolutely amazing!

The "Mighty Uke" crowd arrives!

Don Ouellette shares his uke memorabilia. Great stuff!

The "Mighty Uke" brought the folks out in droves!

The crowd is entranced ...

Dan Mathis preps the post-film strum-a-long. Thanks, Dan!

Fun strumming with Dan (for all ages!)

This young man DAZZLED us with his playing. Amazing!

We were THRILLED to bring The Mighty Uke to Lowell — thank you all once again for making what we do so much fun and fulfilling, and for allowing us to share the wonder of cinema! We hope to see you again SOON!

MISS REPRESENTATION
Thursday, April 12 @ 7:30PM
UMass Lowell South Campus
Weed Hall, 3 Solomont Way
Lecture Hall 1

Driving directions & parking information (PDF)

The Psychology Graduate Student Organization (PGSO) is hosting the ground-breaking film Miss Representation. This 90-minute documentary examines the influence of the media on women’s participation in leadership roles in the United States. This description, taken from the website, missrepresentation.org, explains:

“In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made great strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, women hold only 3% of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65% of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors.

Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as “Miss Representation” accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective.”

PGSO will be screening the film on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 in Weed Hall, Lecture Hall 1, from 7:30-10:00 p.m. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. A discussion will be held after the screening for those interested. If you will be part of a large group, we kindly request an RSVP with the number of people to pgso@uml.edu so space can be reserved.

SCENES FROM A PARISH (2009)
Presented as part of the Lowell Folklife Series
Special Guest: Director James Rutenbeck
Wednesday, April 11 @ 7:30PM
Lowell National Historical Park
246 Market Street, Lowell
Free admission! 

Director James Rutenbeck brings his documentary to Lowell on April 11.

The Lowell Film Collaborative first premiered Scenes from a Parish in May 2009 to a sold-out crowd and with director James Rutenbeck as our special guest. It was an emotional, exciting event, which makes us even more proud to be bringing this poignant, award-winning documentary back to the Mill City in partnership with Lowell National Historical Park. Rutenbeck’s complicated and beautiful film was shot entirely on location in Lawrence, MA, at Saint Patrick Parish on the cusp of the grand opening of the Parish’s state-of-the-art meal center, Cor Unum. Today, Cor Unum stands as a tribute to the community and serves hundreds of citizens every day, 7 days a week — TRULY an inspiration. Presented as part of the National Park’s 2012 Lowell Folklife Series program titled “Gateway Cities: When Neighborhoods Change,” this special program will feature an in-person appearance by James Rutenbeck who comes back to downtown Lowell for this encore presentation of his powerful documentary.

ABOUT THE FILM
“Love thy neighbor just got a whole lot harder.” In 2001, an irreverent, young, Harvard-educated Catholic priest arrived at Saint Patrick Parish in the hard-pressed former mill town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Father Paul O’Brien soon discovered that trying to foster an inclusive community amidst the ethnic tensions of this working-class, multicultural parish would be no mean feat. Older parishioners like Edna McGregor were resentful of a new generation of immigrants—people like the tattooed Elvys Guzman, a former gang-banger from Santo Domingo—who was seen playing basketball with other Latino teenagers in the parish center. Meanwhile more idealistic parishioners like Peggy Oliveto were trying to reach out to those in need but faced cultural entanglements that grew more complicated with the passage of time. Filmed over four years, Scenes from a Parish explores the personal stories a Catholic parish struggling to reconcile the ideals of faith with the cultural realities of a globalized United States.

Critical praise for Scenes from a Parish:

“The Vatican is trying to rouse Catholics’ ire toward Ron Howard’s upcoming ”Angels and Demons” without giving the blockbuster drama exactly the publicity it craves. Here’s an idea then: Steer the faithful, and everyone else, to Scenes from a Parish …. It raises more questions about the church’s place in a changing world — and touches more emotions doing so — than any big-budget studio folderol.”  — Ty Burr, Boston Globe.  Read the full review:  Click here

“You don’t need to be religious to be moved by the spirit of Father Paul O’Brien, head pastor, a Harvard graduate who finds his calling amid the unemployed, in the poorest city by far in Massachusetts. Yes, there are problems at Saint Patrick’s: drugs, alcoholism, homelessness, and some resentment of the Hispanic newcomers from the aging Irish. But there’s hope, too, and parishioners turn their lives around, because Father Paul is an exemplary priest, and a movie hero as well.”  — Gerald Peary, Boston Phoenix. Read the full review: Click here

“Filmmaker James Rutenbeck’s newest film, Scenes from a Parish, is a deeply felt homage to the nuances of small town life and the role faith plays when meeting the challenges that life presents. In the rhythms and rituals of a Catholic church in a small New England town, we see how people face change while trying to maintain tradition. Rutenbeck’s immersion in the subject lends his film dignity and insight, allowing his viewers a fresh understanding of the complex interplay between faith and family.” — Cara Mertes, Director, Sundance Documentary Film Program

Read about the MAKING of Scenes from a Parish via PBS’ Independent Lens: click here

MIGHTY UKE (2010)
Wednesday, April 18
Doors @ 6:30PM  |  Movie @ 7PM
Art Gallery at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union
1 Tremont Place, Lowell *
Free admission & complimentary movie snacks!

* If mapping the venue, please use 257 Father Morissette Blvd, Lowell

Bring your ukuleles AND ukulele-loving spirit for an evening of uke celebration that includes a FREE screening of the 2010 documentary Mighty Uke: The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog AND a post-film audience “strum-a-long”! After the event, bring your ukes to the Back Page in Lowell for Open Mic Night!

We’ll be presenting this stellar documentary at one of our favorite Lowell screening rooms – the Art Gallery at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. It’s a wonderful intimate space for bringing folks together for movies, and the dear staff at JDCU always rolls out the red carpet for us! We thank them for hosting this event with us and look forward to many more to come!

This event is open to EVERYONE! No need to have a UKE to enjoy this great night!

ABOUT THE FILM (taken from MightyUkeMovie.com)
Think of a ukulele and you probably imagine grass skirts, slide guitar and kitchy lyrics, but far from being just a Hawaiian novelty instrument, the uke has a rich history and has profoundly affected music around the world.

Originally brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants, the tiny instrument first captured the musical imaginations of the Hawaiian royal court in the 1880’s. With the dawn of the radio broadcasting age, ukulele music owned the airwaves. Broadway produced ukulele musicals. Hollywood produced ukulele movie stars. The little instrument was so inexpensive and easy to play that by the early twenties the uke was the most popular instrument in the American home and the first musical voice for millions of children. Over the next thirty years the uke was number one, and then, with the rise of rock and roll guitar, faded into nerdy obscurity, until now.

In the internet age, the ukulele is making a comeback. Clubs and ensembles are sprouting up around the world, and a new generation is pulling their grandparents’ ukes out of the closet, challenging our images of the humble ukulele. Ukes top the charts in Japan, Swedish punks thrash uke angst, California popsters serve it to ya ukulele style, classical composers carefully pluck out musicbox sonatas, and all of them meet together at the myriad ukulele festivals from New York to London to Tokyo.

Mighty Uke travels the world to discover why so many people of different nations, cultures, ages and musical tastes are turning to the ukulele to express themselves, connect with the past, and with each other. From the Redwoods of California through the gritty streets of New York, from swinging London through Tokyo’s highrise canyons to Hawaii, ukers tell the story of the people’s instrument: The Mighty Uke.