2017 Greater Farmington Film Festival (March 2-5, 2017)
Death is Not the Answer (documentary, 95 mins.), directed by Keith Famie
March 2, 2017 at 7:30 PM, Smith Theatre at Oakland Community College
Death Is Not the Answer delves deeply into the complex, often misunderstood world of depression and suicide. This documentary features many of the nation’s most respected mental health professionals. The film also offers enlightened thoughts of how we can find contentment and happiness through mind-body health, diet and music. In the end, the film offers hope and a much deeper understanding about depression and what leads to suicide.
A Q & A with director Keith Famie and others featured in the film to follow the screening.
Maya Angelou, And Still I Rise (documentary, 114 mins.), directed by Bob Hercules & Rita Coburn Whack
March 3, 2017 at 7:00 PM, Farmington Civic Theater
The first documentary about the iconic writer, poet, performer and activist who overcame racism and devastating abuse to become one of our culture’s greatest voices. Rare footage and photos unveil an intimate and often unknown view of her public and personal life with the power of her own words.
Life, Animated (documentary, 89 mins.), directed by Roger Ross Williams
March 3, 2017 at 9:15 PM, Farmington Civic Theater
Presentation of Life, Animated is made possible by the generous support of Laura and Ken Paulson.
Life, Animated is the real-life story of Owen Suskind, the son of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind and his wife, Cornelia. An autistic boy who couldn't speak for years, Owen memorized dozens of Disney movies, turned them into a language to express love and loss, kinship, brotherhood. The family was forced to become animated characters, communicating with him in Disney dialogue and song; until they all emerge, together, revealing how, in darkness, we all literally need stories to survive.
Zootopia (animated, 110 mins.)
March 4, 2017 at 10:00 AM, Farmington Civic Theater-FREE
This film presentation is made possible by the generous support of the Farmington Public Library and Friends of the Library.
From the largest elephant to the smallest shrew, the city of Zootopia is a mammal metropolis where various animals live and thrive. When Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) becomes the first rabbit to join the police force, she quickly learns how tough it is to enforce the law. Determined to prove herself, Judy jumps at the opportunity to solve a mysterious case. Unfortunately, that means working with Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a wily fox who makes her job even harder.
“The genius of ‘Zootopia’ is that it works on two levels: it’s both a timely and clever examination of the prejudices endemic to society and an entertaining, funny adventure about furry creatures.” –Jen Chaney, Washington Post
After Spring (documentary, 101 mins.), directed by Steph Ching and Ellen Martinez
March 4, 2017 at 7:00 PM, Farmington Civic Theater
Presentation of After Spring is made possible by the generous support of Christine & Bob Greig, and David Richardson & Debbie Feit.
After Spring is a feature documentary that focuses on the Syrian refugee crisis. With the Syrian conflict now in its sixth year, millions of people continue to be displaced. After Spring is the story of what happens next. By following two refugee families in transition and aid workers fighting to keep the camp running, viewers will experience what it is like to live in Zaatari, Jordan, the largest camp for Syrian refugees. With no end in sight for the conflict or this refugee crisis, everyone must decide if they can rebuild their lives in a place that was never meant to be permanent.
The Eagle Huntress (documentary, 111 mins.), directed by Otto Bell
March 4, 2016 at 9:15 PM, Farmington Civic Theater
Aishol-pan, a 13-year-old girl, trains to become the first female in 12 generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle hunter and rises to the pinnacle of a tradition that has been handed down from father to son for centuries. While there are many old Kazakh eagle hunters who vehemently reject the idea of any female taking part in their ancient tradition, Aisholpan's father, Nurgaiv, believes that a girl can do anything a boy can, as long as she's determined.
The Last Laugh (documentary, 85 mins.), directed by Ferne Pearlstein
March 5, 2016 at 2:00 PM, Holocaust Memorial Center
Presentation of The Last Laugh is made possible by the generous support of Bloom General Contracting, Inc.
The Last Laugh is a feature documentary that proceeds from the premise that the Holocaust would seem to be an absolutely off-limits topic for comedy. But is it? History shows that even the victims of the Nazi concentration camps themselves used humor as a means of survival and resistance. Still, any use of comedy in connection with this horror risks diminishing the suffering of millions. So where is the line? If we make the Holocaust off limits, what are the implications for other controversial subjects—9/11, AIDS, racism—in a society that prizes freedom of speech?