by: MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer
8/19/2007
Centennial fi lm series opens a window onto Oklahoma’s history
Astronauts, rock ’n’ roll and dust bowl survivors are all part of the Circle Cinema’s effort to bring state history to life with a centennial fi lm series.
The Circle Cinema is known for not only presenting an eclectic slate of independent fi lms and documentaries, but also for staging value-added programs ranging from question-and-answer sessions with actors to visitors from the Tulsa Zoo for fi lms like the current “Arctic Tale.”
For a centennial celebration, it means six events in the next two months, some of which will offer free attendance for night performances. Plus there will be special, free daytime screenings for students.
“The whole purpose is to not only show Oklahoma history but to make it more alive, for young and old alike,” said Clark Wiens, co-founder of the historical Circle Cinema. “The way to do that is by bringing in a great fi lm that tells the story, then follow it up with someone live to make it even more meaningful.”
Wiens saw several natural choices for the program, such as past PBS specials on Woody Guthrie, the Dust Bowl years and historian Angie Debo. But when he secured the right to show the acclaimed documentary “In the Shadow of the Moon” — which features interviews with NASA’s surviving Apollo mission crew members — Wiens thought outside the capsule.
None of Oklahoma’s six living astronauts set foot on the moon, but one of these legends could offer perspective as well as their own important history, he figured.
Wiens is hoping to have as many as three Oklahoma space travelers at the theater for the fi lm’s showing in Tulsa.
“How many times do you get a chance to make people more conscious of their history through fi lm?” Wiens asked. “And how many centennials are we going to have in my lifetime? Just one. “Plus, we’re an old theater, so this is the place to see Oklahoma history. We’ll be 80 years old next year, just 20 years younger than the state.”
More information about admission to these events is available online at www.tulsaworld.com/circlecinema or by calling the theater at 585-3456.
The Circle Cinema centennial celebration events include:
Four Sheets to the Wind
(Friday)
Writer-director and Tulsa resident Sterlin Harjo stages the Oklahoma premiere of his 2007 Sundance Film Festival entry, shot in Tulsa and at other Oklahoma locations.
The fi lm will sc reen at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed both nights by question-and-answer sessions and receptions with Harjo, the fi lm’s p roducer and fellow Tulsan Chad Burris and some performers from the picture.
Harjo’s story is of an American Indian — a young Seminole/Creek man like himself — who leaves the reservation and fi nds a new life in the big city of Tulsa. While the fi lm’s plot is one of a family overcoming tragedy, it’s also infused with warm comedy.
Thousands submit entries to the prestigious Sundance festival for independent fi lm, and Harjo’s movie was one of 16 entries in the drama competition. It won a special award recognizing the performance of Tamara Podemski in the fi lm.
Wanda Jackson: The Sweet Lady With the Nasty Voice
(Sept. 7)
The queen of rockabilly will be in the house to speak after a showing of the documentary that captures her in concert, in interviews and in the hearts and minds of other artists.
The 69-year-old native of Maud toured and had a brief relationship with Elvis Presley before she went on to score top 40 hits with “Let’s Have a Party” and “Right or Wrong,” so there will be no shortage of topics to discuss.
Filmed during a 2005 tour of the U.S. and Europe, the documentary features performances in venues from New York to Sweden and interviews with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello about the infl uence of a rguably the fi rst female rock ’n’ roller.
The picture was an award-winner when it premiered at an Oklahoma City fi lm festival earlier this year.
Wiens attended that screening.
“We were shaking in our seats, just wanting to dance and sing, it was such a good fi lm,” he said. Showings of the fi lm also will be set for Sept. 8-9.
American Masters: Woody Guthrie
(Sept. 17)
Admission is free for this not-tobe- missed screening of “Ain’t Got No Home,” the documentary about Okemah native musician, writer and artist Woody Guthrie that aired as part of the PBS program “American Masters” in July 2006.
Before the Circle showing, those in attendance will hear from Guthrie’s youngest sister, Mary Jo Edgmon, who lives in southeastern Oklahoma and appears in the fi lm.
Following the screening, longtime Tulsa musician Greg Klaus will perform Guthrie songs, leading up to what Wiens sees as an obvious conclusion.
“When I think about it, I just see everyone in the theater joining together to sing ‘This Land is Your Land.’ It just seems right,” Wiens said.
Surviving the Dust Bowl
(Sept. 20)
One of the most important events to shape Oklahoma’s fi rst 100 years is the 1930s era of black blizzards. The PBS “American Experience” fi lm “Su rviving the Dust Bowl” captures the spirit of the times in both pictures and emotions.
The documentary should be required viewing in this centennial year, explaining the hardships that drove people west to California, but more importantly, detailing the trials of the indefatigable majority that stuck out eight dry, windy years.
Imogene Glover, a survivor of that era who is interviewed in the documentary, will answer questions after the fi lm. That’s in addition to her speaking to multiple school groups over two days. Admission is free for this event.
In the Shadow of the Moon
(Oct. 5)
A combination of wonder, technology and nostalgia, this new documentary is the in-their-own-words story of the surviving crew members from the NASA Apollo missions.
With the exception of the reclusive Neil Armstrong, that is, who declined to participate. But look for Jim Lovell, Buzz Aldrin and others telling their story. “In the Shadow of the Moon” also will play for at least a week as the Circle Cinema’s featured fi lm.
Indians, Outlaws and Angie Debo
(Oct. 25)
The fi nal f ree presentation of these centennial fi lm events is this profi le of historian Angie Debo, who in her landmark work “And Still the Waters Run” exposed a federal conspiracy to take control of mineral-rich property from Oklahoma tribal land owners.
In perhaps the most unique showcase in this series, Suzan King — long revered for her Chautauqua performances for the Oklahoma Arts & Humanities Council — will take on the persona of Debo for a living history presentation.
King fi rst began portraying Debo in 2000. She has since toured the state to provide insight into the Oklahoma experience of 100 years ago.
Michael Smith 581-8479
michael.smith@tulsaworld.com
No comments:
Post a Comment