Film Festival
Featuring Documentaries about Four Female Pioneers
In Politics, Performance, Poetry and Partisanship
Saturday, November 7th, 2009, Noon – 5:30 p.m. at The Hollywood Theatre
PURCHASE FESTIVAL PASSES (INCLUDES FILMS)
The inspiring, thought-provoking and heartrending films selected for this year’s showcase are all directed by women and each feature an unsung female hero and pioneer.
In Kimberlee Bassford’s, “Ahead of the Majority,” a film presented by the Portland Women’s Film Festival, POW Fest, we get to know Patsy Mink, a Hawaiian born, Japanese-American trailblazer who battled racism and sexism to redefine the landscape for women in politics and higher education as the first woman of color to be elected to the U.S. Congress, and the first Asian-American to seek the Democratic Presidential nomination in the 1972 Oregon primary. Mink is best known for authoring Title IX, the landmark legislation that opened up higher education and athletics to America’s women.
Where Mink was seen as a political hero by feminists, Canadian singer Ferron was a folk-hero and is considered one of the most influential songwriters and performers in the days before Ani DiFranco and the Indigo Girls. In “Ferron: Girl on a Road”, directed and produced by Gerry Rogers, you are invited to an intimate conversation with Ferron about her life and her music, and have a front row seat to a cherished performance that will leave you changed.
Rolling Stone Magazine referred to Ferron as a “Cultural hero – cowgirl meets Yeats,” but in “Ridin’ & Rhymin’“ you will meet a real cowboy who just happens to be a woman and a poet, Georgie Sicking. Earning the title and respect in a male-dominated culture through her hard work and unflagging determination, Sicking’s poetry reflects Western history as seen through a ranch hand’s eyes. In this award-winning documentary by local filmmakers Dawn Smallman and Greg Snider, you will be captivated by Sicking’s story and inspired by her indomitable spirit as you experience the remarkable life of America’s most honored cowgirl poet and National Cowgirl Museum Hall of Fame inductee.
Combining elements of each of these pioneers is Alix Olson, internationally renowned folk poet and progressive queer artist/activist who Ms. Magazine called “a road poet on a mission”. Making no apologies for her partisan politics in “Left Lane: On the Road with Alix Olson,” by Samantha Farinella, the film follows Olson cross-country, delivering her poetic messages through powerful -spoken-word performances. Labeled “One of the Most Dangerous Women in the USA” by a conservative women’s group, follow Olson as she ignites audiences in her search for independent thought, grassroots defiance against intolerance, passionate connection, organic food and clean laundry.
Finally, injecting her own brand of “over the top and out of control” energy to this afternoon of empowering films, is the music video for “Eight Miles Wide” from Portland powerhouse, Storm Large; directed by Oregon DIY filmmaker, Sockeye Creative’s James Westby, and produced by Katie O’Grady. Dubbed “part Fellini film, part Dr. Pepper commercial” and filmed on Portland’s Park blocks, this anthem from Storm’s one-woman theatrical sensation “Crazy Enough” will have you singing along and laughing out loud.
Siren Nation is pleased to be the Portland Premiere for both “Ferron: Girl on a Road” and “Left Lane: On the Road with Alix Olson.” After an afternoon watching so many compelling women, be prepared to leave the theater motivated and ready to change the world!
Thank you to Tara Johnson-Medinger and Andrea Leoncavallo from POW Fest for their support, and to the filmmakers for sharing these important stories with the world.
Ana Ammann
Siren Nation Film Coordinator
2009 SIREN NATION FILM SCHEDULE & FILM SYNOPSES
Saturday, November 7th, 2009
12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR.
$5 Admission
Admission included for Festival Pass ticket holders.
12:00 p.m. Pasty Mink: Ahead of the Majority (57 minutes)
1:10 p.m. Ferron: Girl on a Road (73 minutes)
2:40 p.m. Ridin’ & Rhymin’ (57 minutes)
3:50 p.m. Storm Large Video “Eight Miles Wide” (5 minutes)
Left Lane: On the Road with Folk Poet Alix Olson (93 minutes)
Pasty Mink: Ahead of the Majority (57 minutes)
Saturday, Nov. 7th, 12 noon
Written, Directed and Produced by Kimberlee Bassford
Presented by The Portland Women’s Film Festival, POW Fest
www.aheadofthemajority.com
Synopsis: Small in stature but a giant in vision, Mink began her life on a Maui sugar plantation and rose to become the first Asian American woman and woman of color in the United States Congress. A firecracker and a fighter, she continually pushed the limits of what was acceptable, speaking out against the Vietnam War and entering the 1972 presidential primary, making her one of the first women to seek the nation’s highest office. She transformed America’s schools as the co-author of Title IX, the landmark legislation that opened up higher education and athletics to women.
Ferron: Girl on a Road (73 minutes)
*Portland Premiere – Saturday, November 7th, 1:10 pm.
Directed and Produced by Gerry Rogers
Synopsis: Before the Indigo Girls and before Ani DiFranco, there was Ferron. Part performance film, part biopic, “Ferron: girl on a road” traces, the life, the songs, the loves, the heartbreaks, and the pioneering path carved by a true folk legend. Intimate, and sweeping all at once, this film moves beyond “chronicle” and captures in word and deed, the essence of a visionary artist, and the soul of an icon.
Ridin’ & Rhymin’ (57 minutes)
Saturday, November. 7th, 2:40 p.m.
Co-Directed and Produced by Dawn Smallman and Greg Snider.
Synopsis: Georgie grew up believing she was born to be a cowhand. But chances to prove herself were scarce. The award-winning film by local filmmakers, Dawn Smallman and Greg Snider of Far Away Films, captures the grace and grit of this remarkable woman as cowboy, poet, and survivor. From the powerful opening backdrop of wide Wyoming skies and throughout the often dazzling canvas of the film, the viewer is captivated by this admirable woman’s courage and determination, and through her poetry which reflects a Western history seen through a ranch hand’s eyes. The sensitively crafted story reveals the uncomplicated wisdom and indomitable spirit of a sturdy soul who is an inspiration for us all. Featuring music by local artists Lisa and Her Kin.
Storm Large Music Video “Eight Miles Wide” (5 minutes)
Saturday, November 7th, 3:50 p.m.
Photo: John Rudoff, M.D.
A Sockeye Creative production, Directed by local filmmaker James Westby and Produced by Katie O’Grady.
Described as a six foot Vargas pin-up come to life, Storm Large was born to tear rooms apart with her over the top stage presence and thunderous pipes. Her voice can stretch from arena huge rock, or sing you sweetly into a soft dream. You never know what she’ll do, but you’re always glad she did. Dubbed “part Fellini film, part Dr. Pepper commercial” and filmed on Portland’s Park blocks, this anthem from Storm’s one-woman theatrical sensation “Crazy Enough” will have you singing along and laughing out loud.
Left Lane: on the road with Folk Poet Alix Olson (93 minutes)
*Portland Premiere – Saturday, November 7th, 3:55 p.m.
Directed and Produced by Samantha Farinella
*Mature Content
Synopsis: Alix Olson is an internationally touring folk poet and progressive queer artist-activist. One part peace vigil, one part protest rally, and one part joyful raucous concert, Alix ignites audiences everywhere she performs. LEFT LANE highlights spoken-word performances from around the country and a plethora of behind the scenes glimpses at the search for independent thought, grassroots defiance, passionate connection, organic food and clean laundry. Accompanied by the music of Pamela Means, Melissa Ferrick, Ember Swift, Lyndell Montgomery, Chris Pureka, and Peter Mulvey, LEFT LANE offers a few more untethered voices to the nucleus of grassroots progressive struggle and the future of laughter, rage, and optimism.