Happy Memories

I'm back in Brooklyn now, my mind full of memories and images of the South and all the great people I met there.  In Louisiana, I was welcomed by the enormously friendly David and Nicole Holcombe, who have been hosting Southern Circuit filmmakers at their home in Alexandria for the past four years. Here they are pictured with my host at the Arts Council of Central Louisiana––Kyle May.

Nicole and David Holcombe, Kyle May

My hosts in front of the beautiful Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center

Up and down the Atlantic seaboard with An Encounter with Simone Weil

Lucas Theatre for the Arts, Savannah, Georgia

Last Wednesday, we had the honor of showing "An Encounter with Simone Weil" at the beautiful Lucas Theatre for the Arts in Savannah, Georgia. Restored in 2000, it was on the verge of being demolished when a group of local residents came together and raised the funds for its restoration. They did a remarkable job.

A glimpse of the cinema

At the reception afterward, I had some great conversations with a remarkably diverse group of audience members. A few were tourists who'd just wandered in off the street curious about this "Simone Weil", and now they wanted to run out and buy her books. One man, an historic map maker, had come all the way from Columbia, SC (2 1/2 hours away), because he'd recently discovered Weil and wanted to learn more.

The following day found me at the Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar, a suburb of Miami, Florida. Not a large crowd, but a beautiful venue and very friendly hosts. After the screening, Joyce Maddox gave me a tour of the area, which included the largest senior citizens community in the world. Century City boasts 7,000 residents with their own shops, health facility, and movie theater.

Friday, I flew up to Norfolk, VA, and drove down the coast to North Carolina's Outer Banks. The screening was in the historic town of Manteo. Dare County Arts Council hosted my visit, headed by their energetic leader, Chris Sawin. The Q &A covered both Simone Weil and the themes of mental illness that run through the film. Often the latter don't get openly discussed, so I was very pleased people were bringing them up and sharing experiences of their own. One couple had driven from Raleigh, NC (3 hours), which may be the record so far.

Me and my host, Dare County Arts Council's Chris Sawin

Saturday, I had my first day off and was able to relax by the sea. The whole area's rich with history––from the land pirates who used to lure in unsuspecting ships, to a restored Elizabethan ship, and the Wright Brothers Memorial (picture below).

Kites aloft above the first-in-flight memorial, Kill Devil Hills, NC

Plus I discovered a new fish species I'd never heard of. Contrary to its moniker, it's supposed to be yummy!

Meet Julia Haslett

Welcome Julia Haslett to the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers! Julia will be touring the south with her film, An Encounter with Simone Weil. her first screening is tonight, Sunday, October 7, at the Winder Cultural Arts Center in Winder, GA. This is a beautiful film about two amazing women so you won't want to miss it.

see the complete tour schedule for Julia Haslett here

More About Julia:
Julia Haslett’s documentary films include the highly acclaimed Worlds Apart series, Hold Your Breath (PBS, 2007), and four award-winning shorts. She has worked at WGBH-Boston and as a Filmmaker-in-Residence at Stanford University’s Center for Biomedical Ethics. Julia was a 2009 IFP Documentary Lab Fellow and a two-time MacDowell Colony Fellow. Her debut feature An Encounter with Simone Weil (IDFA, Full Frame) won the Special Founder’s Prize at the 2011 Traverse City Film Festival.

October on the Circuit!

We just finished up the first month of touring for the 2012/2013 Southern Circuit season. Now its October and that means its time for three new films and their filmmakers to hit the road. Check out the touring films for October below. To learn more about each of these films and see the complete October schedule visit the Southern Circuit website.

A Matter of Taste: Serving Up Paul Liebrandt
An intimate look inside the world of an immensely talented and driven young chef, Paul Liebrandt
filmmaker: Sally Rowe
cities: Suwanee, GA; Montgomery, AL; Gallatin, TN; Baton Rouge, LA; Charleston, SC

The Entertainers
For 35 years piano players from across the world have strapped on their bow-ties, armgarters, and straw boater hats to descend on Peoria, Illinois to battle for the title of World’s Greatest Old-Time Piano Player.

filmmaker: Michael Zimmer

cities: Madison, GA; Tupelo, MS

Otis Under Sky
Otis and his new friend, Ursula, are kindred spirits, but unable to express their bond physically.

filmmaker: Anlo Sepulveda

cities: Augusta, GA; Clemson, SC; Gainesville, GA; Hapeville, GA; Clinton, SC; Auburn, AL; Greenville, NC; Long Beach, MS

An Encounter with Simone Weil
Haslett's own struggles with suffering interweave with Weil's dramatic life story, to create a deeply moving film about living life with compassion.

filmmaker: Julia Haslett

cities: Cullowhee, NC; Jacksonville, FL; Miramar, FL; Manteo, NC; Savannah, GA; Alexandria, LA; Winder, GA; Johnson City, TN

Miramar Plans Premiere Weekend

Premiere Weekend Event! SEPT 6 - 9, 2012

For those fans of Southern Circuit that just cant wait month to month to see each new film, Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar, FL has your perfect solution. For the first time ever, one of our Southern Circuit partner venues will be hosting a four day independent film festival featuring all six films from their circuit as part of a premiere weekend. Festivities include a red carpet VIP reception and pre-show lounges. This will be a unique experience for fans and filmmakers alike. So if you are in the area, make sure you get your ticket soon. This will be an event not to be missed.

For tickets and information 954.602.4500