Local focal
Here are some films made (at least partially) in the Hudson Valley to check out at the 2012 Woodstock Film Festival, beginning with narrative features:
First Winter, directed by Benjamin Dickinson, a finalist in the Best Cinematography and Best Narrative award categories, is set in Vermont but was actually filmed in Campbell Hall and other Orange County locations. It involves a yoga commune whose precarious social structure crumbles during an epic-scale power outage during a bitterly cold winter. (Upstate Films in Woodstock, Thursday, October 11 at 6 p.m.; Rosendale Theatre, Friday, October 12 at 4 p.m.)
Francine, directed by Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky, making its East Coast premiere, was filmed in Ulster County. Oscar-winning actress and Stone Ridge resident Melissa Leo portrays an antisocial ex-con trying to make a new life for herself by working with animals. (Downing Film Center in Newburgh, Wednesday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Rosendale Theatre, Thursday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m.)
In Our Nature, directed by Brian Savelson, also an East Coast premiere, was filmed in Mount Tremper and other Ulster County locations. It’s a drama concerning a troubled father/son relationship in which young Seth’s estranged Dad barges in on a planned romantic weekend. (Upstate Films in Woodstock, Thursday, October 11 at 9:30 p.m.; Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, Sunday, October 14 at 8:45 p.m.)
Rhymes with Banana, directed by Joseph Muszynski and Peter Hutchings, looks like Brooklyn, where the exterior scenes were shot, but was actually filmed mostly in Kerhonkson. It’s the world premiere of a comedy about two young wannabe actresses who kidnap their new neighbor whom they believe to be a talent agent. (Upstate Films in Woodstock, Saturday, October 13 at 11:30 a.m.; Rosendale Theatre, Sunday, October 14 at 2:45 p.m.)
Among the documentaries in this year’s WFF (besides the Albany-made Dear Governor Cuomo, featured elsewhere in this issue), Once in a Lullabye: The PS 22 Chorus Story, directed by Jonathan Kalafer, is set in Staten Island but was edited by Devin Pickering of Red Hook and scored by Danny Pickering of Kingston. (Upstate Films in Woodstock, Friday, October 12 at 11:30 a.m.; Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, Saturday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m.)
A number of locally made films will appear on various programs in the Shorts category; check the WFF website to find out which of the various Shorts programs will include them, dates, times and venues:
Blood Country, directed by Jason Fournet, filmed in Accord.
Gaga’s Boy Toy: Tommy Be, directed by Tommy Be.
Glory Days, directed by Benjamin Rutkowski (world premiere), filmed in Hudson and other Columbia County locations.
Meet Kevin, directed by Maciek Godlewski (world premiere), filmed in Kingston, other Ulster County locations and New York City.
My Pain Is Worse than Your Pain, directed by Adam Hall (world premiere), filmed in Bethel and other Sullivan County locations.
Over and around the Clove: Trummors, directed by Randy Bell and Justin Rice (world premiere), filmed in Tannersville and other Greene and Ulster County locations.
Persephone, directed by WFF co-founder Laurent Rejto and starring local faves Melissa Leo and Gilles Malkine (world premiere), filmed in Annandale, Barrytown and Kingston.
Seamus, directed by John Huba (world premiere), filmed in Woodstock.
