Joel Fendelman - In Miramar and Gallatin

The latest updates from Joel Fendelman, currently touring his film David on the Southern Circuit

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So I pull up to the Miramar Cultural Center in Florida, it's the first time I had ever been to Miramar which is strange because I grew up in Miami (about 30 miles away). First thing I notice is this beautiful poster they have created for the film, an enormous brand new theater and the greeting smile of Ms. Jo Marie Payton.

Me and Jo Marie Payton

For those of you who don't recognize her, she played Harriette Winslow (the mother) in the hit show Family Matters and happen to be the Cultural Ambassador for the center. After eating a wonderful dinner together and hearing about her interesting experience in Hollywood, Ms. Payton introduces me and the film to the audience. It was a decent turn-out (about 200 people) but even more wonderful, not a single person left before the Q/A. They were all glued to their seats with full attention on the story of making the film. As I looked through the audience I could see women with Hijabi's on (head scarfs) and Jewish women, Caribbean and Hispanic families. It was a nice mix of different cultures coming to see a film about different cultures. Afterwards a women ran up to me with goosebumps on her arms saying after she heard about this film, she knew she had to come see it as it was in part her story as a child, and took a number pictures. It's so nice to feel acknowledged and connect with others, probably the best part of making a film and really the reason why I do it.

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I'm now sitting at my hotel in Gallatin, TN. It's, believe it or not, snowing outside.

Looking out my hotel window

Last night I had the pleasure of showing at the Palace Theater, a historic gem built in 1913. It was a smaller turnout because of the cold weather but not any less rewarding. Again everyone stayed for the Q/A with lots of engaging questions. I was able to meet a number of people who grew up in this small town. I loved to hear about the ways the town had been when they were a child. One of them was actually running for mayor next November to help further with preservation of old buildings.

Everyone was so appreciative of me being there and bringing my film to them, saying that there is nothing good showing in the big complexes, nothing of meaning. As much as I would love to take credit, it's definitely a compliment to Southern Arts for what they are doing. Well today's my day off so going to check out Nashville and then on to Louisville, KY or how the locals here say "Loo-ville."

Vivienne Roumani - Winder and Augusta

Here's the latest update from Vivienne Roumani, currently touring her film Out of Print:

Great to see musicians and composers Jerry and Marlene Tachoir, parents of Erica Tachoir, a major contributor to Out of Print. Talent runs in families. Gallatin, TN.

I am bringing my film, my story to places in the South where I have never been, and I am receiving stories from the fascinating people here, about themselves and their cities and architecture.

Long story short: Screening at the Winder Cultural Arts Center, Winder, Georgia.

Don Wildsmith, my host in Winder, is a founding member of the Winder-Barrow Community Theatre and has been very active in all things theatrical, from education to technology, design, acting, directing, dancing –world-wide. This in addition to serving 30 years with the United States Navy.

Chris Childs, moderating the Q&A, is the editor/producer of Winder TV. Chris is a filmmaker and a former New Yorker.

I took Don’s advice and stayed close to the Atlanta airport to avoid morning rush hour in Atlanta.  I was on an early flight to Augusta, Georgia, where, after landing, I asked how much time to allow to get to the airport in the morning.  I was told there was no rush hour.  When was the last time you heard that?

Augusta was a revelation. Take a peek at the glorious Lookaway Inn, and see if you can spot Scarlett. The river walk is unforgettable, especially at this time of year. The city has galleries, the Morris Museum of Art, where the screening was held, and historic homes --and a great bookstore, which was right to the point of Out of Print.

Book Tavern owner David Hutchison is not posing. I interrupted his work and asked for a smile when I stumbled into this little gem. He came to the screening and brilliantly contributed to the discussion.

The glorious Lookaway Inn, Scarlett?

The River Walk

Morris Museum of Art. The audience at the screening at the Morris Museum was an engaged, lively group – a pleasure for Q&As. 

Around the River Walk I found this. Did you guess it? The Marriott Hotel, Augusta, GA.

Next time, I’ll bring my husband instead of just his beautiful anniversary flowers that were waiting for me at the Lookaway Inn.

Photos from the Road: 'Mommy, I'm a Bastard' on the Southern Circuit

Bennett Barbakow sent us some photos from his adventures on the Southern Circuit screening his film Mommy, I'm a Bastard! Here are a few to enjoy.

Screening poster from Miramar, FL

Delicious hospitality from the Palace Theatre in Gallatin, TN.

Screening poster in Hanceville, AL

Screening poster from Winder, GA

A beautiful shot from between screenings

Thank you to Bennett, our screening partners, and everyone who came out to experience his film on the Circuit!

The TRUST Cake

It’s a long darned drive from Montgomery, Alabama to Gallatin, Tennessee.  My mother and I had to smile at a sign we passed on Highway 65 – “Go To Church or the Devil Will Get You.”  Both Martin from the Capri Theater and Jim, our host at the Lattice Inn where we stayed in Montgomery, told us to keep our eyes out for it.  It was hard to miss.

I dropped my mother off at my sister and brother-in-law’s house in Huntsville, Alabama, and zoomed past Nashville to Gallatin, which has made a huge effort to revive its historic downtown, starting with fixing up and opening the Palace Theater.  My host, Donna Belote, Executive Director of Greater Gallatin, said that twenty some years ago when they started trying to bring the downtown back to life, someone said that the only way the downtown would come back to life was to knock it down and replace it with a Home Depot or a Walmart.  As someone who made Downside UP www.downsideupthemovie.org a documentary about the revitalization of my home town North Adams, Massachusetts I was happy to be part of an event in an up-and-coming downtown, with businesses and restaurants, and bars with live music.

Pharmacy repurposed to a bar in Gallatin

Sugar Paper!

This is the first year Gallatin has hosted Southern Circuit filmmakers and Donna has a nice group of people who get together to support the screenings – the mayor and a member of the city council attended and after the screening, they had a nice reception that included a special TRUST cake.

Photo: Amy Braswell, © Kelly+Yamamoto Productions 2010

I’ve noticed that in these Southern Circuit screenings, unlike any other TRUST screenings I’ve attended, members of the audience want to know how the Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) supports itself.  Chicago has a great tradition of the city and foundations supporting the arts and supporting theater and David Feiner, artistic director and co-founder, spends a lot of time fundraising, as do members of his board.  They get their fantastic space from the Chicago Parks Department.

At the end of the discussion with the audience, Paige, the MC, excitedly announced that Gallatin has been invited to take part in the 2013 – 2014 Southern Circuit.  I wish I had had more time to spend in Gallatin, the little taste of music I heard was terrific.

Drivers Wanted: 02 Montgomery's Oldest Taxi Driver

"You don't want to get in a cab smelling bad," says Marshall Lane, Montgomery's oldest taxi driver.  "I am the only cab driver dressed professionally 7 days a week.  I wear a suit and a necktie."  At 64 Marshall has been through a lot of firsts "My company was the first black owned cab company in Montgomery.  I am the first black cabbie to be allowed to pick up at the airport and the first to have A/C in my cab."  Marshall saved Freedom Riders by taking them to the hospital in a cab after they were attacked in Montgomery.  Living through race riots and segregation, Marshall says all that does not bother him.   "In my cab, race never meant anything to me, because money is always green."

When not driving Marshall likes to watch Samford and Sons.  "It is still on TV in Montgomery.  Every chance I get I want to look at it."

Wow how the days go by....Suwanee, Madison, Montgomery, Gallatin.  Pulled into Montgomery on last Wednesday night and ended up at the Railyard drinking a nicely made Montgomerian IPA and a burger.  On tv were probably 2 of the worst teams in the NBA, so obviously there were things better at the bar to talk about.  I met two guys who work at a junk yard and they invited me over the next day.  I threw a hard hat on my head and met people junking 20 fridges at a time, and getting $3 per pound for copper, 55 cents per pound for aluminum radiators, and 45 cents per pound for sheet metal.  Some of it stripped out of foreclosed houses and some found the old fashion way.  Multiple junkers told me that they suspect up to 70% of it is stolen.  Who knows but the more that junk is worth, the more a broken iron or tv is worth more than the walk to the curb. Did everyone realize that Sanford was a also a junk dealer? It all goes together.

Another example of things cast off that have found new use are the amazing movie theaters on the tour, the Capri in Montgomery and the Palace in Gallatin remind you that for a long time the local cinema was a temple to the moving image.

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Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too

Another day, another Southern Circuit screening. But this one in Gallatin, Tennesee had a twist. I was off at a conference in Pittsburgh, so Age of Champions photographer and co-producer Jayson Carpenter took over for the Q&A. Here's Jayson (ladies, he's single):

Upon his arrival, he was presented with an Age of Champions cake. Seriously. Check it out in the photo:

If that's not cool, I don't know what is. (It's definitely cool.) You can check out Jayson's work at www.jaysoncarpenter.com.

As for me, I've spent a lot of time in airports the last two days: Atlanta (twice), Minneapolis, DC, Pittsburgh (twice), Montgomery, and Nashville (twice). I'm ready to hit the road. Luckily, I've got a week of events where the only mode of transportation will be pure Mississippi and Louisiana highway.