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WGBH Profiles Local Films and Videos

1 Apr , 1999  

Written by Amy Steele | Posted by:

Hey, it really is local television. WGBH features the works of independent film/video makers April-May.
WGBH’s Viewpoint series, now in its seventh season, showcases the talent of New England’s strong independent filmmaking community. "This year, we’re pleased to focus on the work of Boston-area filmmakers who live and work in our community," said Ron Bachman, WGBH program director.

Chosen films tackle subjects ranging from a deejay held hostage to the discovery of the face of Jesus in a tortilla. The 1999 Viewpoint series will air on WGBH for six consecutive weeks, from April 6 through May 11 at 10:00 p.m.

"I think that it’s extremely important that public television has an outlet for independently produced work," stated "I Love My Movie" writer/director Hilary Weisman. "I’m really pleased with the fact that Viewpoint is featuring regional work this season. I think that the whole notion of regional PBS affiliates is to serve the communities where they are broadcast, and I think it makes a positive impact on a community to watch a show and be able to say, ‘Wow, that was made by someone in my hometown, or my home state.’ It makes it even more valuable to the viewer."

A documentary about female-to-male transsexuals, "You Don’t Know Dick," kicks off the series on April 6. Six men who were women tell their stories. The film was directed and produced by Candace Schermerhorn and Bestor Cram of Boston-based Northern Light Productions.

"Captive Audience" is featured on April 13. In this film, a late-night deejay in upstate New York is held hostage. Boston radio station WFNX production director Mike Gioscia wrote "Captive Audience" and co-produced and directed it with Kurt St. Thomas for Corporate Sucker Films [for more information: www.corporatesucker.com]. Gioscia promises that the black-and-white film is filled with surprises as it provides humorous insight into the radio business.

"There are a lot of related things about music and how that affects life that will touch people," explained producer Kurt St. Thomas. The filmmakers explained that it took three years to complete this debut. Much work on the project was done during vacation time and by phone and email exchanges between Gioscia and New York-based St. Thomas. The production enlisted the help of anyone they knew and filmed in Lynn and Beverly, MA, and a mock radio station that St. Thomas built in his New York apartment.

On April 20, "Witch City," a documentary about the commercial exploitation of Salem’s witch trials will be shown. The film features interviews with Arthur Miller and Elie Wiesel, as well as a visit to Salem, MA, for the frenzied Haunted Happenings Halloween event.

Hilary Weisman’s cross-country adventure "I Love My Movie" will air on May 4. For this film, an independent, struggling filmmaker takes a camera and a group of close friends on a road trip to Mexico with aspirations of selling the camera to fund her next project. This becomes an enlightening—and crazy—personal experience.

"It’s a road movie, so there’s a journey to follow. There are random events and people who appear in the movie to throw the viewer off guard every once in a while," Weisman explained. "Everyone has dreams, and when people follow their dreams, they take risks, they worry, they get enthusiastic, they become cynical. Everyone goes through highs and lows and confronts obstacles and overcomes them—or doesn’t. But my movie shows it in a fun and very human way."

Next, a devout Catholic finds the face of Jesus in a tortilla and believes it is a miraculous sign. However, she encounters much skepticism for her community. This is Lauren Ivy Chiong’s short drama "Holy Tortilla," which can be seen on May 10.

"In the Y2K, people want to see signs of God and the Divine," Chiong said. "It’s a unique and unusual event. There is a magic realism to this type of event that people would find interesting."

Chiong created this film for her graduate thesis at Boston University. An article her father sent her about a similar incident inspired her to write "Holy Tortilla." At Boston University, Chiong gained confidence to initiate her own projects. Local support bolstered her talents as well.

"It’s an honor to be screened on WGBH," Chiong said enthusiastically. "It’s part of a grassroots effort to support indie films."

The Viewpoint series closes with "Theme: Murder" on May 11 [pictured above]. This documentary chronicles a 30-year-old still-unsolved murder. The victim was a Boston art dealer, and the father of filmmaker Martha Swetzoff.

Tune in to this fascinating series to learn about other lifestyles, and relish in some entertaining films with local connections.

For more information, go to www.wgbh.org/viewpoint


For more information, go to www.wgbh.org/viewpoint

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