2023 Film Series
Made possible through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by Bank of America.
The Westport Summer Film Series is back for Summer 2023 with four screenings July through September. The first three events will feature a selection of award-winning films including dramatic animation and riveting documentaries, along with guest speakers, Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and guest speakers, plenty of socializing, and a spectacular setting at Weatherlow Farms’ beautiful post-and-beam functions facility. Beer, wine and refreshments will be available. Doors open at 6 PM, the films start at 7 PM. Seating is limited, please click on the buttons below to reserve your seats.
The Series’ fourth event will be held at the historic Westport Grange with an internationally renowned, interactive shorts program where audience members vote for their favorite film and the winner qualifies for Oscar consideration.
Wednesday, July 19
ROOT HOG or DIE
At Weatherlow Farms, 845 Sodom Rd, Westport. Doors open at 6 PM, films start at 7 PM.
Filmed in 1973 in the hill towns of western Massachusetts and southern Vermont, it follows the annual cycle of the farming year. Photographed verité-style in rich black and white, the film evokes the ethic of self-reliance behind the phrase “root hog or die,” the practice of turning pigs loose in the woods to fend for themselves.
Acclaimed folklorist and ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax has praised the film as “a significant contribution to American oral history.” Robert Gardner, filmmaker and founder of the Harvard Film Studies Center, hailed Root Hog or Die as a “must for every American studies program.”
The film aired on public television to great acclaim in the late 1970s. A new remastered version is now available with sharper images and clearer sound than were possible in 1973.
This screening will be the re-release debut presentation of the film in Massachusetts and will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Rawn Fulton and an expert panel from the local farming community.
Wednesday, August 2
The WEEKEND SAILOR
At Weatherlow Farms, 845 Sodom Rd, Westport. Doors open at 6 PM, films start at 7 PM.
A feature documentary about the inaugural Whitbread Round the World Race (known today as the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race) the first head-to-head sailing race around the world. Expert crews from Europe and South Africa were assembled to compete against each other, but an underdog crew from Mexico shocked the more seasoned seafarers. Weekend Sailor tells the thrilling story of Ramon Carlin’s quest to take on the world’s most accomplished sailors in the most challenging and deadly race on earth.
Q&A with the filmmakers and other special guests.
Wednesday, August 16
LOVING VINCENT
At Weatherlow Farms, 845 Sodom Rd, Westport. Doors open at 6 PM, films start at 7 PM.
Presented in collaboration with the South Coast Artists in celebration of their 20th anniversary, Loving Vincent is the world’s first fully painted feature-length film. It tells the story of painter Vincent van Gogh’s life through the eyes of Armand, a young man who has been tasked with the devastating venture of delivering Vincent Van Gogh’s final letter. This ground-breaking narrative film brings the paintings of van Gogh to life through the laborious effort of 125 professional artists who hand-painted every one of the movie’s 65,000 frames.
No other artist has attracted more legends. Variously labeled a martyr, a lustful satyr, a madman, a genius, and a lay-about, the real Vincent himself said in his last letter: “We cannot speak other than by our paintings.” The filmmakers took him at his word and let the paintings tell the real story of Vincent van Gogh.
Animator and local artist Kat Knutsen who worked on the film will be present for a post screening Q&A.
Friday, September 29
MANHATTAN SHORT FESTIVAL
At the Westport Grange, 931 Main St. Doors open at 6 pm, films start at 6:30.
The world’s first global film festival. Join more than 100,000 film lovers in over 500 cities across 6 continents who will gather over the course of a week for one reason…to view and vote on Oscar-qualifying candidates in the 26th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival. MANHATTAN SHORT is not a touring festival; rather, it is an instantaneous celebration that occurs simultaneously across the globe, bringing great films to great venues and allowing the audiences to select their favorites.
