Are you a certain shade of “environmental green”? Is recycling in your blood and the phrase waste not want not your mantra? Or perhaps you just enjoy a darn good documentary. If so, we invite you to mark your calendars for our final outdoor film of the year, No Impact Man, screening Tuesday, September 14. Start time for the film will be 7PM with a chance to come, get settled, and meet and greet your fellow green neighbors and film buffs from 6:30-7PM. Our location will be one the LFC has been attracted to for a long while — the lovely, wide open Market Mills courtyard set between Lowell’s National Park Visitor Center and the Brush Art Gallery. If you’re reading this and are in the Lowell area, we invite you to take a stroll to 246 Market Street, official home of the Visitor Center, and then continue your walk towards the fabulous Brush Art Gallery. What you’ll see is a nice, shaded area and probably happy kids having fun among the bricks and mortar. It’s a hidden gem. Hopefully you’ll think so, too.

No Impact Man follows one year in the lives of New York City husband and wife team, Colin Beavan and Michelle Conlin, as they embark on a quite seemingly insane plan: reduce their carbon footprint to almost NIL. How? No electricity (candle use). No cars (bikes or walking). No cell phones (ack!) No buying products in containers (recycle, recycle). No TV (family conversation instead). No shopping at the grocery store (farmers’ markets ONLY). And much, much more. It’s an experiment brought forth from the mind of Colin, and as we find out in the documentary, wife Michelle is left to sadly follow. What unfolds may seem simplistic, but it’s made heavier as you watch Colin and Michelle fall further and further into the pits of uber-green living. Life still must go on, even as they wash their laundry in the bathtub, dispose of their fridge and freezer, and light candles in their home every evening.

During their  unbelievable “No Impact Year,” Colin and Michelle did the national talk show circuit, kept a daily online blog (which is still active), wrote of book detailing their experience, and looked to friends for support, even as they received ridicule and oftentimes mail from the outside world. No one understood why they did this, why they would  seemingly “torture” themselves. As with most great cinematic experiences, the viewer is challenged to decide for themselves.

We can’t give you all this without a sneak peek, so view the trailer and take some time to peruse The No Impact Man Project. We hope to see you outdoors on September 14 — details coming soon!

This past January, the new documentary Enemies of the People had its premier at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, winning the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize. Taking on an incredibly difficult subject — the atrocities of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge — filmmakers Thet Sambath and Rob Lemkin lead us on difficult personal journeys through the Killing Fields of Cambodia, the heart of the 1975-1979 genocide that took the lives of 1.7 million Cambodian people. Today, news of the the film has garnered a place on the front page of CNN news, one day before the Cambodian genocide tribunal hands down their first verdict on the crimes. This is particularly meaningful to us as Lowell, Massachusetts, is one of two U.S. cities with the highest number of Cambodian immigrants (only Long Beach, CA, has more). Many of these citizens made their way to the City after fleeing the terrors of the Khmer Rouge; they have become an integral part of Lowell’s cultural fabric, and we are so thankful and fortunate for this.

After its successful premiere last week (July 21-23) in Cambodia, Enemies of the People has its wide release in the United States (New York City) this Friday, July 30.

We encourage you to read more about this documentary by visiting enemiesofthepeoplemovie.com and by reading today’s (July 25) front page news feature “Filmmaker tracks Khmer Rouge killers to learn truth” HERE.

Below is the official trailer for Enemies of the People:

The LFC continues its wonderful partnership with Lowell’s Green Building Commission and Enterprise Bank & Trust, two local institutions incredibly committed to the community. Plans are almost finalized for an outdoor film screening at Lowell’s Shedd Park of the fascinating documentary The Nature of Cities. Produced by Throughline Productions, the hour-long film takes us to beautiful, sustainable locales across the globe and introduces us to the concept of bringing our urban environments closer to our natural world. With the current BP tragedy and dangerous levels of global emissions taking over our everyday lives, this film is a MUCH needed journey into environmental hope. We at the LFC couldn’t be more pleased to be bringing this important, inspiring film to everyone in our community.

The official synopsis of the film states it perfectly:
“The Nature of Cities” explores the projects and people in cities across the world who believe that, even as we become more urbanized, we must reclaim an essential piece of our humanness — our connection to the nature around us. It is our goal to raise the consciousness and understanding of this movement as we explore the need of moving not only to sustainability, but to a regenerative way of living.”

Directed by Boulder-based filmmaker and physician Chuck Davis, the film features Sustainable Communities Professor Timothy Beatley and commentary by author/activist Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) and Dr. Stephen Kellert (Biophilic Design). Be prepared to see compelling, groundbreaking sustainable living projects in Austin, San Diego, Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Freiburg, and Malmo.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join us for this free outdoor film event! The evening is made possible by our generous sponsor Enterprise Bank & Trust and is presented by the Green Building Commission and the Lowell Film Collaborative.

Get a sneak peek of The Nature of Cities:

The LFC got a great tip a few weeks ago courtesy of our good friend (and stellar photographer) Anne Ruthmann: outdoor summer movies at LeLacheur Park are on the way! The events are courtesy of “Spinnertainment,” the cool pre- and post-game activities that take place on the field at any given game. In the next two months, the Park will bring outdoor film to its “jumbo-tron” screen — officially the Pepsi Video Board — for folks to enjoy once the game is over. There are THREE films on the way on select Saturday nights after the baseball games, so snag those highly affordable tickets and mark your calendars for the following:

Saturday, July 31: “STAR WARS”
From the Spinnertainment schedule page: “Star Wars Day” with all your favorite Star Wars characters. Be careful as you enter as Storm Troopers guard the gates! After the game, bring blankets and come out on the field as the Spinners will show the movie Star Wars on the Pepsi Video Board. Pre-game, check out an incredible Tae Kwon Do display and a Scratch Card Giveaway presented by Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. A chance to win some great prizes! After the game, kids can play catch in the outfield. Blue Dog Group presents Jumping Jack Flash the Frisbee Dog.

Saturday, August 14: “TWILIGHT”
From the Spinnertainment schedule page: It’s “Twilight Night!” After the game bring blankets and come out on the field as the Spinners will show the movie Twilight on the Pepsi Video Board. Scratch Card Giveaway presented by Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. A chance to win some great prizes! After the game kids can play catch in the outfield.

Saturday, August 28: “HARRY POTTER NIGHT”
From the Spinnertainment schedule page: It’s “Harry Potter Night!” After the game, bring blankets and come out on the field as the Spinners will show a Harry Potter movie on the Pepsi Video Board. Fear not if you have peanut allergies as tonight is Peanut-Free Night at the Spinners. Pre-game, check out an incredible Tae Kwon Do display. Scratch Card Giveaway presented by Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. A chance to win some great prizes! After the game, kids can play catch in the outfield. Blue Dog Group presents Jumping Jack Flash the Frisbee Dog.

See the complete Spinnertainment lineup of events and learn more about the Spinners and Lowell’s LeLacheur Park!

So unfolds the compelling documentary Winnebago Man, which marks the directorial debut of Austin-based filmmaker Ben Steinbauer. After some soul-searching, Steinbauer decides to seek out Rebney to find out who and where this internet phenomenon is today, how much he knows about his YouTube stardom, and what he would tell his admirers were he ever given the opportunity. What unfolds is a story too bizarre, unique, and hilarious to be anything but real life. Steinbauer does find Rebney, and their discussions provide some of the funniest, genuine moments in a documentary since American Movie. Rebney alone is worth the cost of admission. But just as fascinating are the moments when fans are given the chance to express their appreciation to him, and the ultimate effect these words have on the cynical cyber-star.

The LFC had the pleasure of taking part in a free pre-screening of Winnebago Man on July 13 at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge. It opens for a full run at the Kendall Square Theater on Friday, July 23. For its honesty, ingenuity, and subtle Jack Rebney star power, we highly recommend this independent gem which has already seen major success in the film festival circuit, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and Toronto’s famed Hot Docs. Tip: If you’re able, check out a screening featuring a Rebney guest appearance as he tours with the film!

Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story
of the New York Cosmos (2006)
Friday, July 16  @ 1PM
Pollard Memorial Library
401 Merrimack Street, Lowell
Free admission!

It’s July 12 — one day after the 2010 World Cup has come to a close. Still aching for that football frenzy that brought the world together?

Then join us at Lowell’s Pollard Memorial Library on July 16 for a Friday afternoon matinee of one of the most dynamic sports films out there. The fabulous archival footage, outrageous crowd scenes, and commentator zingers will make their mark on you for sure, whether you’re a football fan or not. The New York Cosmos were the cool boys of football. They had spirit. World appeal. And of course: PELÉ!

We couldn’t be more proud to join forces with The City of Lowell, Pollard Memorial Library and ONE Lowell for citywide summertime programming in commemoration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Appropriately named “Playing for Peace,” these family-friendly events aim to bring the exciting world of football (soccer to most Americans) to the Lowell community, culminating in August’s ONE Lowell World Cup right here in the Mill City.

We hope you’ll share this event news with the soccer fans in YOUR life and join us for this free July film event!

Following that screening, we caught the world premiere of Finding Belgrade, a documentary that follows Miodrag Kolaric, a filmmaker from the capitol city of Serbia who decides to go on his first cross-country trek of the US to explore the four Belgrades here – in Maine, Montana, Nebraska and Minnesota. Kolaric hopes to discover more about these four cities and their relationship to his own hometown of Belgrade, Serbia. Along the way, he not only learns the distinct differences between these towns and his own but also finds multiple groups of Americans welcoming him with open arms, taking pride in their hometowns, and sharing their knowledge about Belgrade. It was a fun and light-hearted film that was a fitting ending to our weekend in Maine.

Before leaving, we cast our vote for favorite film among the ones we saw – both of us chose earthwork from Day 2, independent of each other – then headed back to Lowell. And yes, we stopped at Gelato Fiasco again on our way home (yes, it’s THAT good!). Some of our highlights of the weekend included Suzz’s delight upon sitting down at the second screening on Friday night and realizing that the theater chair in which she sat had been donated by none other than Stephen and Tabitha King (Bangor is only about two hours north); enjoying an insightful Q&A with documentary filmmaker Doug Block and his wife Marjorie following the screening of The Kids Grow Up; and spending a few moments with the organizers of the event to share our appreciation of their fest and to tout our own LFC passions. We loved the festival and wished there was a way to spend the rest of the week in Waterville. Alas, responsibilities at home awaited, so we were off on our way. Stay tuned, as we hope to attend more summer film festivals in the near future.

From the MIFF Facebook page - Suzz and I chatting up the organizers

Mostly, though, this weekend has been about the films, and Saturday was chock full of them. We took in four films over the course of the day, and they were all enjoyable in their own unique ways. We started the day off with earthwork, a quiet but captivating indie film that tells the true story of Stan Herd, a farmer who traveled from Kansas to New York in 1994 to create an enormous environmental artwork on land owned by Donald Trump. Herd, played perfectly by John Hawkes, is consumed by his passion to create huge art pieces that can only be viewed from the sky. During his time in New York, he befriends a small band of tunnel dwellers and recruits them as the crew to help with his challenging new project. With unexpected barriers constantly facing him, Herd is pushed to the limit to complete the piece he views as “the one,” and ultimately it’s the lessons he learns about himself and his art that play a bigger part than the earthwork itself.

Suzz and I were both excited to see The Kids Grow Up later in the afternoon, mainly due to the impact that director Doug Block’s previous film, 51 Birch Street, had on us when we watched it last year. Unlike most documentary filmmakers, Block turns the camera on himself and his family, telling very personal stories that often make for even more emotional results. Although it lacks the same emotional punch of 51 Birch Street, The Kids Grow Up is nevertheless a touching story about a father’s struggle to let go of his only daughter and release her into the world via a cross-country move to college. Not surprisingly given his career, Block has been by his daughter Lucy’s side at every stage of her life with camera in hand. Now that she is 17 and preparing for college, he looks back on Lucy’s past via the footage he’s shot, captures the real-life struggles he and his wife face during the year leading up to Lucy’s departure, and offers a very personal yet universal story about family and parenting. A Q&A session with both Block and his wife after the screening provided additional insight that made the viewing even more special.

Later in the afternoon, we decided not to revisit the indescribable experience that is watching House, and opted instead for How to Live Forever, a unique documentary by director Mark Wexler that offers insight into growing old (or not growing old, actually) from a myriad of subjects, including the oldest living people on the planet, scientists and gerontologists, participants at a funeral directors convention and the Ms. Senior America pageant in Las Vegas, and even celebrities like Jack LaLanne, Suzanne Somers, and Phyllis Diller. At the center of it all is Wexler, a successful photojournalist who is questioning his own mortality after the recent death of his mother. How to Live Forever is funny, insightful and delightfully engaging. Following the film, director Wexler provided more stories about his journey via a Q&A with a packed house.

We finished the evening off with Do It Again, a documentary chronicling the story of musician and Boston Globe music reporter Geoff Edgers’ obsessive mission to reunite his favorite band of all time, the Kinks. Almost as famous for the off-stage quarrels of their two main creative forces – brothers Ray and Dave Davies – as they were for their myriad of pop music gems, the Kinks are a band for which the word “reunion” has yet to mean more than standing on stage together for award ceremonies. Edgers has bigger things in mind, however, and in his quest to locate the last surviving members of the band, he interviews a host of rock legends, including Sting, Yoko Ono, REM’s Peter Buck, Paul Weller, and even actress turned singer Zooey Deschanel. He poses the philosophical question to each of them — would a Kinks reunion be possible? — and in most instances manages to play a Kinks song with them after the interview. The film is mostly comprised of this fascinating footage, with glimpses into Edgers’ own story as a frustrated reporter and family man newly entering his 40s. Ultimately, it’s Edgers’ undying love of music that shines through in the film, NOT the outcome (which we’ll keep secret). A Q&A with Edgers, who brought his wife, daughter, and newborn to the event, uncovered still more fascinating facts about his experience.

It was a wonderful, uplifting end to what was already a perfect day of film for us. Clearly the Maine International Film Festival has had many years to perfect this event, and it shows. We have been thoroughly impressed!

We arrived in Waterville, picked up our weekend pass, dropped off our things at the hotel, then made our way over to the Opera House for the opening-night screening of Get Low, a film that promised huge returns thanks to its outstanding cast of Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, and Lucas Black. And huge returns we received – Duvall is absolutely spot-on as Felix Bush, an aging hermit who lives on the outskirts of a small Southern town in the 1930s. With enough local tall tales to keep even the bravest kid from venturing beyond his fence, Bush plays up his larger-than-life mythology, but in truth, he’s got a soft underbelly and a big skeleton in his closet.

When he approaches the local funeral home with an odd request – a funeral party BEFORE he dies with the townspeople who have rejected him for decades invited to attend - the home’s financially-strapped director (Murray) and his assistant (Black) take Bush up on his offer. Among the party’s attendees is widow Maddie Darrow (Spacek), an old friend of Bush’s who is closer to Bush’s hidden secret than even she realizes. Get Low is beautifully shot and perfectly acted, with enough subtle humor to offset its dark story.

Following that screening, we headed over to the Railroad Square Cinema to see Conversations with My Gardener, a wonderful French film that tells the story of a blossoming summer friendship between a successful Parisian artist (played by Daniel Auteuil) and his gardener (Jean-Pierre Darroussin). Discovering upon their introductions that they were childhood acquaintences, the artist and the gardener develop an instant bond, and their summer is spent discussing their passions, their experiences, and their views of the world. In turn, we the audience see their personalities and their complexities, quickly developing an appreciation for both of them as the human beings they are and not the stereotypes so easily assigned to them by their professions. This is a moving and incredible film that captures life as only the French seem able to.

More updates are on the way as we embark on Day 2 of the MIFF, so be sure to check back!

With the summer in full swing and record temperatures blanketing the Northeast, we decided it might be a really neat idea to give everyone an overview of all the fantastic film festivals that are on the horizon here in New England. After all, no one wants to get sunstroke or severely dehydrated after being in triple-digit temperatures for too long. Why not beat the heat in a nice air-conditioned theater watching a marathon of brand new independent and/or foreign films? It works for us!

So, without further adieu, the Lowell Film Collaborative presents you with a list of summer(ish) film festivals that take place in or around Massachusetts, and best of all, they’re in date order, so you can plan accordingly. Enjoy, folks!

FANTASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
July 8-28, 2010
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Yes, Montreal is a 5+ hour drive, but the LFC took in a weekend at the Fantasia Fest last summer, and we feel it is absolutely worth the drive, especially if you are a fan of genre films. First started in 1996 as an Asian cinema and anime festival, Fantasia soon expanded its focus to include genre films from all over the world. Now spanning most of the month of July, it often includes many North American premieres of films (including last year’s Inglorious Basterds). Another awesome component is Fantasia Under the Stars, a series of outdoor films screened as part of the festival. This year’s program includes Subversive Serbia, a spotlight on the new wave of confrontational and edgy Serbian cinema, presentation of a lifetime achievement award for director Ken Russell, which includes a screening of his never-released-on-DVD 1971 cult film The Devils, and a multi-media gala event centered around the screening of the newly restored original cut of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. Trust us on this one, folks – this is the fest to attend for the best in horror, exploitation and Asian films.

MAINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
July 9-18, 2010
Waterville, Maine

Founded in 1998, the Maine International Film Festival is a project of the Maine Film Center. During the 10 days of the festival, close to 100 films are screened, many of them created by filmmakers in Maine and New England. In addition, the festival’s Fireflies Program offers children’s films from around the world as well as workshops and related arts events for children and teens. The 2010 festival highlights will include a Mid-Life Achievement Award to screenwriter Jay Cocks, who penned the screenplays for Kathryn Bigelow’s sci-fi epic Strange Days, Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, and the Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely, among others; a special appearance by comedienne and Airplane! star Julie Hagerty; and a block of films screened as part of the American Film Institute’s 20/20 project, an initiative to bridge cultural boundaries through cinema. The LFC will be attending this festival for the first time in 2010, so keep an eye out for updates.

ROXBURY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
July 29-August 3, 2010
Roxbury, Massachusetts

Created in 1999 as the Dudley Film Festival, the Roxbury International Film Festival has become the primary outlet for enjoying independent films created by filmmakers of color that showcase their experiences. Since its inception, the festival has screened more than 450 films by or about people of color with a mission to support diverse filmmakers and provide an opportunity for audiences to view the works of these filmmakers and experience stories often overlooked in mainstream media.  The Roxbury International Film Festival takes place over 4 days, with workshops and film screenings at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Massachusetts College of Art, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall, and other locations throughout Boston. Some of you who attended the first Lowell Film Festival may remember that Roxbury Film Fest Executive Committee member Lisa Simmons was a part of our insightful panel of local film experts on day 2.

WOODS HOLE FILM FESTIVAL
July 31-August 7, 2010
Woods Hole, Massachusetts

Officially the oldest film festival on Cape Cod and the Islands, the Woods Hole Film Festival is now in its eighteenth year and continues to bring the best in independent film to the quaint village of Woods Hole, Mass. Over eight days, the festival screens more than 100 films from around the world. The 2010 festival will include a screening of the Dixie Chicks documentary Shut Up and Sing by 2010 Filmmaker in Residence Barbara Kopple, a screening of The Human Face of Climate Change, a documentary about people all over the world who have been displaced by climatically induced environmental disasters, and a screening of the feature comedy One Too Many Mornings. A PDF link to the 2010 schedule is here.

RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
August 10-15, 2010
Providence, Rhode Island

Another favorite of the LFC, the Rhode Island International Film Festival is ranked as one of the top twelve film festivals in the United States. Now in its 14th year, the RIIF will screen between 175-200 films in 2010 selected from more than 4,000 submissions. One hundred percent of the festival schedule is created from these submissions, and no films are culled from other festivals, making the RIIF a truly dynamic event where regional audiences discover new film and new filmmakers whose work is often overlooked. This is truly an outstanding festival, and it’s only a short drive from anywhere in eastern Massachusetts. Don’t miss it!

MARTHA’S VINEYARD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
September 9-12, 2010
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Combining the laid back beach style of Martha’s Vineyard with the buzz and excitement of celebrating films from across the globe, the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival is four days filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes, plus great evening events, provocative forums and live world music. The festival’s recurring theme is “Other Places,”  with the purpose of encouraging attendees to think broadly (about how huge the world of film is) and deeply (about the universal concerns and desires that unite all people). About 90% of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film. Best of all, you can’t beat the outstanding beaches for what little “downtime” you might have.

NEWBURYPORT DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
September 24-26, 2010
Newburyport, Massachusetts

The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival is an annual event held in the beautiful coastal town that spotlights the newest and best documentary films from all over the world. It is presented by the Newburyport Film Society with screenings taking place throughout historic Newburyport, including The Screening Room and the Firehouse Center for the Arts.

TELLURIDE BY THE SEA
September 24-26, 2010
Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Held just up the coast from Newburyport and on the same weekend this year, Telluride by the Sea is another LFC favorite that brings a half-dozen films hand-picked from the Telluride festival in Colorado by organizer (and Portsmouth resident) Bill Pence and his wife to make their New England debuts at the Music Hall, sometimes well in advance of their actual cinema runs. These films are all world-class cinema gems and never disappoint. HIGHLY recommended!

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
September 29-October 3, 2009
Hudson Valley, NY

Yes, the Woodstock Film Festival is in New York, but the LFC visited Woodstock for New Year’s Eve this year, and we fell in love with the area, including the wonderful independent theater there called the Tinker Street Cinema. Due to its close proximity to NYC, the Woodstock festival attracts some really big names in the industry, including those on their advisory panel – actor/directors Ethan Hawke, Griffin Dunne, and Liev Schreiber, just to name a few. The LFC plans to attend, and perhaps volunteer, at the 2010 festival, so we’ll keep you posted as the date grows closer.

CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
September 30-October 3, 2010
Camden, Maine

Now in its sixth year, the Camden International Film Festival is a documentary festival that selects films based on their ability to arouse discussion on documentary film as an art form, a catalyst for change and as an outlet for the independent voice. The festival takes place at multiple venues throughout three coastal towns in Maine, providing a unique setting to experience the very best in international documentary film. In addition to the film festivities, an important component of the festival is the Points North Forum, a conference program designed around key decision makers in the non-fiction business. Over the course of two special panel sessions, a workshop, several intimate networking sessions and a new live project pitching event, participants can watch and listen as industry experts share their observations and insights. This is a very unique event for filmmakers in New England.