The Kopkind Blog

“Lights, Camera, Take Action!”The Brattleboro Reformer headline last year.

At the Organ Barn at Treefrog Farm, Guilford, VT
Aug 2nd to 4th open to the public, screenings begin at 7pm

Co-Sponsored by The Center for Independent Documentary
http://www.documentaries.org/index.html

SCHEDULE:

Thursday, August 2nd 7pm

Haiti’s Piggy Bank and Black Dawn

Robin Lloyd and Doreen Kraft will be here to present two films from Green Valley Media. HAITI’S PIGGY BANK, THE STORY OF THE LOSS AND RECOVERY OF THE HATIAN CREOLE PIG tells the powerful story of an American non-profit development organization, Grassroots International, joining forces with the National Peasant Movement of Papaye, to reintroduce the Creole pig to the Haitian Countryside after being eradicated with US government pressure in the 1980’s due to fears of swine flu being spread to the American Pig Industry. The other film for the evening is called BLACK DAWN, where paintings spring to life in this animated folktale. Black Dawn not only explores Haiti’s early history, but also offers a captivating introduction to its culture, rich folklore and religion. The filmmakers transform paintings by prominent Haitian artists into a visually exquisite tribute. Green Valley Media is a non-profit production and distribution group located in Burlington, Vermont, and was founded in 1974 to promote awareness of social issues and bring unheard voices into the mainstream. More information at http://www.greenvalleymedia.org/haiti.php3?ticket=

Friday, August 3rd, 7PM

Man of Two Havanas

We are pleased to present Vivien Lesnick Weisman’s documentary MAN OF TWO HAVANAS, which recently screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. The story of Cuban journalist Max Lesnick as told by his daughter, whose childhood was filled with bombings and assassination attempts on her father. A childhood friend of Fidel Castro, this film explores Lesnick’s involvement with the Cuban Revolution, his eventual move to Little Havana, Miami, where he launched the Spanish publication of Replica, and follows his return to Cuba to help end the embargo. It delves deep into the story behind the embargo and why it still holds today, including the US Government’s involvement in using Cuban nationals to commit acts of violence against their own people. Using top-secret CIA audiotapes, Vivien also reveals the fascinating history of Cuban American relations. Our special guest for the evening will Sandy Levinson, long time director of the Center For Cuban Studies, who will discuss how films have held a special place in presenting Cuba to the world and how Americans, like Michael Moore continue to draw on the Cuban experience while making films.

Saturday, August 4th, 7PM

Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin
(Music to follow after film)

Five years in the making and winner of more than 20 awards and honors in the U.S. and abroad, BROTHER OUTSIDER illuminates the life and work of Bayard Rustin, a visionary activist and strategist who have been called “the invisible man” of the civil rights movement. A tireless crusader for social and economic justice, a disciple of Gandhi, and a mentor to Marin Luther King Jr., Rustin dared to live as an openly gay man during the fiercely homophobic 40’s though 60’s. The film reveals the price that Rustin paid for this openness. The film has been described as “beautifully crafted” (Boston Globe), “rich in humanity” (africana.com) and “a potent and persuasive piece of historical rediscovery” (Los Angeles Times). The directors of the film, Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer will be in attendance and will take questions following the screening.
http://www.rustin.org/

Following the Q&A the festival closes with the JAZZ IN THE BARN with the Shakers n’ Bakers. The band is made up of leading improvisers of the New York jazz/new music scene who perform reinterpretations of Shaker “vision” songs, received in states of inspiration by young women of the Shaker religious community during the years 1837-50

Those who are interested in attending the Kopkind Grassroots Film Festival and need directions to the Organ Barn at Tree Frog Farm in Guilford, Vermont, should contact the administrator of Kopkind, John Scagliotti at john@afterstonewall.com