Thursday, April 23, 2009

Recently Heard on Our Community Site...

Did you know Ironweed has an interactive community website located at http://www.ironweedfilms.com/community ?

Members and non-members alike may log in to browse recent films, make commentary, read news and much more.

Check out one of our latest community comments below:

"Finally! A film club that does not require wading through thousands ofdopeyaction movies.....and one that also provides incredibly powerful informationon a host of important issues in films that are thoughtful and well made!Thanks so much for all you do.....Ironweed is an essential resource in bothour lives and our work!" --Maureen F. of Essex, MA.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

"Crips and Bloods" Film Screening

A free monthly screening series, Community Cinema features films from the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens. In over 50 cities nationwide, screenings are followed by lively panel discussions that bring together citizens, organizations and public television stations to encourage dialogue and action around important and timely social issues. Last season, over 30,000 people attended 400 events nationwide.


Crips and Bloods Film Screening:

It's a civil war that's lasted 40 years. Passed down from son to son. Fought eye for an eye. Over 15,000 dead and counting, while the world stands by. Welcome to South Central Los Angeles. But what's at the root of this long-standing battle? Filmmaker Stacy Peralta hits the streets of LA to find out, and speaks with former and current members of the Bloods and the Crips, two of the most notorious and violent street gangs in America. Please note: This film contains scenes of graphic violence.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Pacific Design Center - Silver Screen Theater
8687 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Light Reception 7:00 PM
RSVP Required at LACommunityCinema@gmail.com
Panel Discussion to Feature:
Stacy Peralta - Filmmaker
Skipp Townsend - Community Organizer Featured in Film
Shaka - Former Member of Bloods Featured in Film
Dr. La Tanya Skiffer - Professor and Expert on Female Violence and Incarceration
Dr. John Quicker - (Moderator) Professor and Expert on LA Gangs

To find a local screening in your area, visit: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/cripsandbloods/getinvolved.html

Filmmaker Chris Metzler Introduces "Greener-Schnitzels"

Ironweed filmmaker Chris Metzler (Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea, Long Division) announces the launch of GREENER-SCHNITZELS - a new series of environmental webisodes that blends sketch comedy and documentary filmmaking to deliver funny truths about our warming planet. With energetic irreverence, the short videos provide some informative comic relief amidst the more serious Green programming you'll find this Earth Day. Come watch the first episode here: www.greenerschnitzels.com

Monday, April 6, 2009

Filmmaker Jeremy Kaller on "The Recyclergy"

Thanks to Ironweed Films for giving me this amazing opportunity to share my first documentary, The Recyclergy, with you. I hope you find it both enjoyable and inspiring.

The film was made under the assumption that you, the audience, had already heard several times in your life that “you should recycle.” For that reason, I tried my best to eliminate that direct message from the film. I’m hoping that I am correct, and you have been recycling for years, but have never met a professional recycler, nor heard about the porn found in recycling bins.

If you devote the 33 minutes to watch The Recyclergy, you will meet some real characters who have devoted their lives to diverting goods from landfills and hear their entertaining stories. I hope that their devotion is contagious.

I took on this challenge because I met these inspiring and hilarious individuals and recognized that they are leaders in the recycling movement. Berkeley was the first city to collect recycling at the curb. San Francisco was the first city in the nation to collect food scraps along with recycling and trash. Two local organizations, Building Resources and Urban Ore, both salvage tons of building materials that would otherwise get landfilled, making the materials available for the community to utilize. The list goes on.

Not until midway through conducting this series of interviews, did I learn about the history of scavengers, who were pre-World War II garbage collectors. I was shocked by my ignorance because I had worked in recycling for several years. Without giving too much away, recycling was a normal, behind the scenes, everyday occurrence before the United States’ post-WWII affluence. Recycling all but disappeared until the first Earth Day in 1970. Even in early 2006, when completing the film, I felt that recycling was still considered another component of tree-hugging. I’m relieved that again, recycling is getting the mainstream attention that it deserves.

The film’s website, www.recyclergy.com, contains links to most of the organizations in the film. If you live in the Bay Area, visit them! If you do not, please contact them for guidance in bringing more recycling into your community.

-- by Jeremy Kaller, Director, The Recyclergy (Ironweed Films: Volume 41: April 2009)
For more information, visit www.ironweedfilms.com/films