Big Eddy Film Festival explores the rural experience
Narrowsburg, N.Y. Several of the films were shot in Sullivan County, including an opening night documentary about a sordid chapter in local history.
| 13 Sep 2019 | 01:24
"Narrowsburg" explores an attempt to turn a tiny town into the “Sundance of the East.”
In "Four Deadly Reasons," New York City street hustler Bobby Venuti (Richard Castellano) rethinks his lifestyle and moves upstate.
"Rural Stories Shorts" highlight the experiences of people living in non-urban communities.
In "Gay Chorus Deep South," the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus embarks on a tour after a wave of anti-LGTBQ discrimination
The eighth annual Big Eddy Film Festival introduces several locally shot films that delve into the reasons why people move here and explore the joys and pitfalls of rural life.
All of the events happen in Narrowsburg, N.Y., with most at either the Tusten Theatre at 210 Bridge Street or the Narrowsburg Union at 7 Erie Avenue. They are presented by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.
The festival, which begins Friday, Sept. 20, and extends through Sunday, Sept. 22, includes long feature films and shorts, documentaries and panel discussions, plus a few parties, where you can meet directors, actors, composers, writers, and other creative people.
For more information or tickets visit bigeddyfilmfest.com.
Lineup and schedule
"Narrowsburg," 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Narrowsburg Union. This new documentary delves into the story of a French film producer and mafioso-turned-actor who attempted to turn the tiny town of Narrowsburg in Sullivan County into the “Sundance of the East.” $20.
"Four Deadly Reasons," 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Tusten Theatre. From 1999, this film was shot locally, and is the subject of the opening night documentary, "Narrowsburg." Gambling debts, a new bride, and a baby on the way force New York City street hustler Bobby Venuti (Richard Castellano), to rethink his lifestyle and move upstate. Free with "Narrowsburg" ticket purchase.
"Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project," 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Tusten Theatre. For more than 30 years, Marion Stokes obsessively and privately recorded American television news twenty-four hours a day. $10.
"Gay Chorus Deep South," 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Tusten Theatre. In response to a wave of discriminatory anti-LGBTQ laws in Southern states and the divisive 2016 election, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus embarked on a tour of the American Deep South. $10.
"Icehouse Arts Kid Flix," 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Narrowsburg Union. Come and see what local kids produced this summer. Free.
"Rural Stories Shorts," 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Tusten Theatre. These short films highlight the experiences of people living in non-urban communities. The program includes documentaries, scripted stories, and animation. Three of the films were shot in Sullivan County. $10.
Meet the filmmakers cocktail party, 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Gray Barn, 108 Main St., Narrowsburg. Join a cocktail party celebrating the filmmakers of this year’s festival. Rub elbows with the directors, actors, composers, writers, and other creative people behind the documentaries, shorts, and features screening throughout the weekend. $25.
"Guest Artist," 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Tusten Theatre. Joseph Harris (Jeff Daniels), a legendary but troubled playwright, arrives at a small Michigan town at Christmastime to mount his latest play. Greeting the cynical New Yorker is a young aspiring writer who challenges his literary hero to be the icon he’d hoped for. $10.
"Saint Frances," 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Tusten Theatre. After her decision to end an unwanted pregnancy, 34-year-old Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan, who also wrote the script) reluctantly agrees to nanny the bright and rambunctious six-year-old Frances (newcomer Ramona Edith-Williams). $10.
"Married to the Work: Partners in Filmmaking and Life," 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, at DVAA's Krause Recital Hall, 37 Main St., Narrowsburg. Join a brunch and panel discussion featuring an informal talk with three producer/director couples who are also life partners. $15.
"The Dog Doc," 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Tusten Theatre. As a pioneer of integrative medicine, veterinarian Dr. Marty Goldstein has been called everything from “maverick” to “miracle-worker.” Attracting four-legged patients from around the world, Dr. Goldstein’s practice, Smith Ridge Veterinary Center, provides holistic treatment for animals after other vets have given up hope. $10.
"Martha: A Picture Story," 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Tusten Theatre. In the 1970s, as the boroughs of New York City burned, Martha Cooper worked as a photographer for the New York Post, seeking images of creativity and play where others saw crime and poverty. As a result, she captured some of the first images of New York graffiti, at a time when the city had declared war on this new culture. $10.
"The Show’s the Thing: The Legendary Promoters of Rock," 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Tusten Theatre. When legendary talent agent Frank Barsalona handpicked promoters around the country to feature his musical acts beginning in the 1960s, he changed the shape of live music performance forever and helped launch the likes of the Rolling Stones, Simon & Garfunkel, David Bowie and Bon Jovi into superstardom. $10.
Closing day party, 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 256 Bridge St., Narrowsburg. This party offers live music, fine food and drink, and stunning views of the Big Eddy and Narrowsburg Bridge. $25.