Big Sky Documentary Film festival update
Wednesday
Always a lively event, the festival is off to a strong run. I love the welcome sign at the airport which draws attendees in for the requisite photo. It’s a Montana Hollywood-type moment.
The long awaited (soon to be cult) film, Fire on the Hill: The Cowboys of South Central LA played today. It is a captivating story of a group of urban black men who take pride and find comfort in riding horses in a very urban setting, underneath the intersection of two freeways. The film shows us their struggle to reclaim property destroyed in a fire, which had housed an equestrian center, and extols the value of horseback riding as a community resource, especially because it draws men across neighborhood gang lines. Also featured is a young black bull rider, and we follow his progression from lessons in bull-riding techniques to live-action footage of one of his rodeo rides. Q&A sessions often support the film by bring forth the personalities of the actors or directors or filmmakers. The audience fell in love with these horsemen. Brett Fallentine, Director.
Various filmmakers and student actors from locations including Browning,MT and Harlem,MT provided insights into poetry in the public schools. Films included Harlem Rap, and Browning Rising Voices. Proud kids and parents hung around town and fielded questions into the evening.
The feature film, Return to Mt Kennedy traces the friendship between the families of legendary mountaineer Jim Whitaker and Senator from Massachusetts Bobby Kennedy. Jim Whitaker (first American to scale Mt Everest) and Bobby Kennedy ( Senator) had a friendship that included a first ascent of a previously unnamed peak in the Yukon Territory. This film chronicles the attempt by two of Whitaker’s sons (Bobby and Leif) and Chris Kennedy (son of Bobby) to repeat the climb in honor of their fathers. The historic footage of both Whitaker and Kennedy, their lives both private and public, is a remarkable assemblage. The recent climb is documented with background of the sons including Bobby Whitaker and his life as a roadie/tour manager for famous alternative bands. The film is a rich collection of old and new footage, and an intimate exploration of the intersection of the two families. I found the film stunning from an historic perspective.
Eric Becker, Director
The 16th Annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, in Missoula, Montana.
The Return of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival approaches. Are you ready? What you need to know:
Dates: February 15-25th, 2019
(Click this link for the trailer of the festival)
And now an interview with Rachel Gregg, Executive Director of the BSDFFestival:
https://archive.org/details/BigSkyDocFilmFest2019Edit
She offers tips to films on her radar and a chat about the festival.
Venues:
The Wilma, The Elks Lodge, MCT, all located conveniently in downtown Missoula. Walkable. Friendly.
Some films to watch
Enormous: The Gorge Story : Friday, February 22, 6: 15 PM, The Wilma
In all its magical glory…A film full of interviews with legendary musical artists who loved playing The Gorge at George, interviews and footage with attendees, and a dose of geology. The Missoula Flood and all that good stuff. You know you want to see this! Relive the glory days of The Gorge. Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll? Blues, Country, and the others.
Nic Davis, Tim Williams, 2018, USA — 70 minutes
Listen here to an interview with the filmmakers: https://archive.org/details/EnormousTheGorgeStoryDocumentaryEdit
The Pollinators:Sunday, February 17th, 8:15 PM, The Wilma
Ever wonder how those hives get from one farm to the other? In the dead of night, while you and the bees are sleeping, those bees are traveling the back roads of America. Come along for the ride. And thank a beekeeper for your food.
Peter Nelson, Filmmaker, 2019, USA — 93 minutes
An Interview with Peter Nelson about the film:
https://ia801508.us.archive.org/20/items/ThePollinatorsEdit/The%20Pollinators%20edit.mp3
The Brotherhood of Skiing: Sunday, February 17th, 11:00 AM @MCT
Wednesday, February 20, 4 PM at MCT
These men know how to have fun and to encourage other black athletes on the slopes. If you’ve ever run into them you know they take skiing and fun seriously.
Tyler Wilkinson-Ray, Colin Arisman, 2018, USA — 10 minutes
Ski Bum: Warren Miller: Saturday, Feb 16th @ 6:00 pm –Wilma
Thursday, Feb 21st @ 8:30 pm –Wilma
For you ski bums this promises to be good., and for those of you who used to ski…relive your glory days.
Patrick Creadon, 2019, USA — 94 minutes
Check the Schedule for screenings
Schedule: http://www.bigskyfilmfest.org/schedule/2018-schedule/2018/02/17
Eats
Where to eat, where to stay: Some suggestions and favorites of the writers here at Indieitpress.com. Get ready to be amazed. Again.
The James Bar, 127 W. Alder, Missoula. A block south and west of The Red XXXs. Just off Higgins.
Bison stew, Cyprus Salad, and other well-crafted meals, exotic drinks with a fireplace and dark ambiance.
El Diablo Burrito & Taco, 1427 S Higgins Ave, Missoula
Line food made the way you like it. Reliable, tasty, filling. A student favorite.
The Bridge Pizza, 600 South Higgins Avenue, Missoula
Pizza by the slice and great salads. Beer of course…it’s Missoula after all.
The Mo Club, AKA Missoula Club, 139 W Main St. Close to the Wilma. Burgers and Beer. Old fashioned, right of the grill. Main choice: Cheese or not.
Sweets
Bernices Bakery, 190 S 3rd St W, Missoula Just off Higgins and the Hip Strip
Pastries, cookies, cupcakes, sandwiches, soup, tea and coffee. Ambiance with well loved oak floors.
Big Dipper, Ice Cream. Try the Huckleberry, a crowd favorite. Worth a 600 mile drive any day.
The Break, 432 N Higgins Ave, on Higgins, north of the Ox, Jimmy Johns and Charlies
Great espresso with pie, cookies, quiche and study tables, plus wifi
