MOUNTAINTOP FILM FEAST

Maude Adams Theatre Hub and the Catskill Mountain Foundation present three landmark films with local relevance.

A mini film festival weekend is popping up this month in the towns of Lexington and Hunter over the weekend of October 13-15, and will offer rare access to a local theater of historical significance, thoughtfully curated panels, and exclusive screenings at the Mountaintop’s destination for independent film, the Doctorow Center for the Arts.

Curated by Caitlin McColl and co-hosted by Patricia Charbonneau, the feast will highlight homegrown talents and show films that are enhanced by the viewing locations. McColl and Charbonneau, both SAG-AFTRA actors, share the keen sense of the region’s magic when it comes to creative attraction and outpouring. In the wake of the pandemic there has been an explosion of new art, theater, music, and craftsmanship in this tiny segment of the Great Northern Catskills. McColl, co-owner of Lexington’s general store, bar, and local hub, Van Dusen’s, is also acutely aware of the intersection of art and the types of retail spaces that provide a place for conversation and community to come together and flourish.

After joining with Maude Adams Theater Hub’s Creative Director, Amy Scheibe, the trio developed the opening weekend of programming and designed a mission for prioritizing local accessibility, as well as a desire to develop the next generation of talents, in the tradition of “Reel Teens.” What has transpired for the opening “mini fest” weekend of October 13-15 is a sneak peek into what is destined to become an annual tradition: a truly special weekend of films and discussions for all who call the Mountaintop their home.

The Loss of Nameless Things is a documentary that features playwright Oakley Hall III, who was on the cusp of prominence in the national theater scene when an unexpected accident stripped everything away, leaving his peers to forge their own impressive paths. Supported by Evelyn Weisberg (daughter of Sam and Esther Doctorow), The Lexington Conservatory Theatre was the training ground for multitudes of artists in the late 1970s, and was the grounding for what would become The Capitol Repertory Theatre in Albany in 1980. There will be a pre-film panel featuring an array of local and visiting theater professionals whose creative paths were forever changed by their time in Lexington. The evening will feature an after party at Van Dusen’s. Directed by Bill Rose (1 hr 43 min). Friday, October 13th, 6:00 pm. $10

Desert Hearts, released in 1985, was a groundbreaking, historically important film that “many lesbians waited for all their lives,” and was a nominee in the American Film Institute list of greatest love stories in film in 100 years. Outfest named Desert Hearts one of the “25 Films That Changed OurLives” In 2013, and The Guardian named Desert Hearts one of the ten most romantic films, and characterized the final scene of Vivian and Cay at the train station as “a subversive take on Hollywood endings.” This film now resides in The Museum of Modern Art with the Criterion Collection. Post film discussion will feature conversation with Maplecrest resident, Lexington Conservatory Theatre alum, and Desert Hearts star Patricia Charbonneau. Directed by Donna Deitch (1 hr 31 min). Saturday, October 14th, 7:00 pm. $10

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, features local Jewett summer camp Camp Jened, which opened in 1953 in the town of Hunter and served campers with disabilities for 25 years. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote, “This indispensable documentary defines what it means to call a movie ‘inspiring.’ Crip Camp released at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020, and was nominated for an Academy Award. The film is a vital work in the conversation about disability rights, and features a talkback with activist, director and former camp attendee Jim LeBrecht. Directed by Jim LeBrecht (1 hr 48 min). Sunday, October 15, 4:00 pm. Free admission.

Rounding out the weekend will be a few more surprise announcements, to be found on on MATH’s website at maudeadamstheaterhub.org. Please follow Maude Adams Theater Hub on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with developments as they happen.