>>PREVIEW
BAREBONES FILM FESTIVAL
September 16 and 17
Various venues (Drumheller)
The Drumheller area has long been a favourite destination for filmmakers seeking unusual backdrops, but now it is playing the starring role in its own homegrown cinema event. Drumheller’s first annual BareBones film festival promises to be an eclectic mix of fun and film, complete with a glam opening-night gala, awards and a wrap party.
Among the who’s who in the hoodoos will be The Cross and Bones co-creators, Montreal-based producer Lisa Cochrane and director Paul Carrière. Featured at Toronto’s Hot Docs festival, The Cross and Bones was shot in Drumheller last year.
"We were delighted that they asked us to open the festival with our film," says Cochrane. "We’re thrilled to come back, because that’s the only way we really have the opportunity to screen the film for all the people that were in it."
The film documents the unlikely convergence and co-existence of three seemingly disparate groups – local Christians mounting a Passion play, renowned paleontologists and 3,000 bikers.
"We were drawn by the irony, that there would be such a visual way to express so much of the Christian faith that’s just so strong in that part of the province," says Cochrane. "And at the same time these things are happening above one of the most rich paleontological sites in the world. And then to have this wacky element of the biker rally thrown in on top of it."
Following the show, Cochrane and Carrière will speak about the film, their experiences shooting in Drumheller and the documentary process.
Rounding out the festival are shorts and documentaries by cineastes from all over the province — including work by a six-year-old filmmaker — as well as selected shorts courtesy of Bravo!Fact.
"We just wanted to have some fun," says festival co-director and veteran filmmaker Sandi Somers. "We opened the festival up to life, art and people. It being ‘barebones’ we also wanted to encourage homegrown films, to encourage people who weren’t filmmakers to join on in."
Working together with Kathryn Valentine, assistant director of the Royal Tyrrell Museum, to plan the festival, Somers was thrilled by the town’s enthusiasm for the project.
"A lot of movies get filmed there, and I know the town may have seen it as maybe a potential way to support tourism," says Somers. "I think in the future there could be an evening of screenings for films that were shot there, to kind of show the beauty of the landscape and how often it is used. There’s a lot of potential."
Screening locations include the Royal Tyrrell Museum, the Atlas Mine National Historic Site and Drumheller’s own repertory cinema, the Napier Theatre. And thanks to co-operation from local cultural and historical organizations, attendees can mix movies with a little sightseeing.
"On the Saturday we have docs going throughout the day, but you can get free admission to the museum with your pass, and free admission to the Atlas Coal mines. We’re trying to make it a nice town cultural event," says Somers.
So if you’re planning a mid-September road trip to Drumheller, be prepared for a weekend of cinema, celebration and high glamour in rural Alberta. Don’t forget to pack some fabulous sunglasses and a feather boa for your red carpet debut in the desert.
For more information check out www.barebonesfest.com |
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