FEATURE PROGRAMS I Hear What You See: The Old-Time World of Kenny Hall Showing: Sunday, June 6, 1:30 pm, Crown Hall, $10
This program is made possible by the generous support of KOZT The Coast.
A frequent and beloved visitor to the Mendocino Coast in the 60s and 70s, Kenny Hall continues to spread joy with his unique mandolin style and repertoire of over 1100 songs. Born blind in 1923, Hall is one of the most influential old-time musicians now living, but not one of the best known. He chose hiking in the woods instead of fame; instead of fortune he chose to pass on his music in the traditional way—person to person. I Hear What You See tells Kenny’s inspiring life story through music, visits with the musician and his friends, and vignettes of the musical community that surrounds him. Featuring Kenny Hall, Utah Phillips, Marta Hall, and the Sweet’s Mill String Band and interviews with locals, including Doug Desmond and Ron Tinkler. (46 minutes) World Premiere. Live music performance after screening with Peter Barg, Frannie Leopold, and Ron Tinkler, plus Harry Leidstrand of Sweet’s Mill String Band.
Documentary
Directed by Chris Simon (Q&A with filmmaker and Live Music after screening)
Preceded by: Dark Light: The Art of Blind Photographers
Directed by Neil Leifer (Q&A with filmmaker after screening). Can vision succeed where eyesight fails? Dark Light explores the artistry of three blind photographers: Pete Eckert, Bruce Hall and Henry Butler. One paints with light in long exposures, one scuba dives and another makes street portraits—luminous work that helps us see the world through their eyes. (30 minutes)
Jim Thorpe: The World’s Greatest Athlete Showing: Sunday, June 6, 1:30 pm, Matheson Performing Arts Center, $10
He may not have been as fast as a speeding bullet or able to leap tall buildings, but Jim Thorpe came close. Widely considered the finest athlete of the 20th century, he was a US Olympic multiple gold medal winner as well as a star of professional football and baseball. Jim Thorpe was also an American Indian. At the peak of his fame, Jim was still legally considered a “ward of the state” and not an American citizen. Tom Weidlinger’s stunning documentary—using old recordings, re-enactments, newsreels and animated photos—brings Thorpe’s career alive with a warmth for its subject that shines as bright as Thorpe’s crooked smile. In this life story is a tale of American racism and how one man overcame prejudice through sheer strength of will and personality, with the help of mentor “Pop” Warner and others. Weidlinger’s film re-acquaints us with the legend of Jim Thorpe, and lets us fall in love with the story and the man. —John Morrison (56 minutes) Official Selection, Mill Valley Film Festival.
This program is made possible by the generous support of Mel and Susan McKinney.
Documentary
Directed by Tom Weidlinger (Q&A with filmmaker after screening)
Preceded by: Immersion
Directed by Richard Levien (Q&A with filmmaker after screening). Ten-year-old Moises has just immigrated to California from Mexico. He doesn’t speak English, but is skilled at math, and hopes to do well on his first math test in the US. Featuring untrained child actors from public schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, Immersion plunges its audience into the visceral experience of a bright, motivated child who cannot understand the teacher from whom he so desperately wants to learn. (15 minutes)
Mendocino Film Festival 2010
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