Ozark Foothills FilmFest will continue its five-year-old free Brown Bag lunch program on April 3 and 4. The program begins at noon at the Old Independence Regional Museum at 308 S. Ninth Street. Attendees are invited to bring their lunches to the one-hour program; bottled water will be provided.
The Wednesday line-up features The Dyess Colony: A New Deal Comes to Arkansas, by veteran filmmaker John Pasmore, who is attending and will participate in a Q&A. Pasmore has written and directed four films about the Mississippi Delta and Mid-South and is the recipient of the Mid-America Cable Association 4 Star Award. Established in 1934, the Dyess Colony, a community carved out of Mississippi County, Arkansas swamp land, was intended as a refuge for displaced farmers holding out the promise of self determination and land ownership. Dyess is also the boyhood home of music icon Johnny Cash. The program includes Chutes and Gates, a short documentary also about life on the farm, but with a sense of humor. It was filmed at the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch and directed by UCA faculty member Mike Gunter.
The Thursday program includes Hatch, by Austrian filmmaker Christoph Kuschnig. Hatch follows two couples and the wrenching decisions they each must make on a wintry Vienna night. The Proposal, by UCA filmmaker and teacher Joe Dull, is a short domestic comedy about a man who tries to use the infant daughter of a women he desires to help his plan. He does not know that the woman is watching and listening. Sunday Visit and Broken Glass are two very artful, touching pieces by Ariel Bisbee about youth and family. Thursday’s final film is What Happens When Robert Leaves the Room, by frequent Arkansas visitor Zack Godshall. This energetic film examines the frustration that overtakes members of a small theater group. Robert Longstreet, in the title role, gives an amazing performance.
Ozark Foothills FilmFest is a 501 (c)(3) educational non-profit corporation founded in 2001 and headquartered in Locust Grove. Contributions tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Seating is limited so early arrival is suggested. Festival posters and t-shirts will be available for sale.
