Praxis expands lineup for weekend
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 2, 2015 1:46 PM
The fifth annual Praxis Film Festival, already boasting its largest lineup to date, has also added five directors or actors to the mix of those on hand to discuss their films next weekend.
The Feb. 6-7 event celebrates filmmakers from around the world. This year, 41 short and full-length movies are on the schedule.
Produced by the Foundation of Wayne Community College and the Paramount Foundation, tickets are still available and can be purchased at the Paramount Theatre. Price is $10 for one day or $15 for a weekend pass.
Friday showings will be in Moffatt Auditorium at WCC, starting at 11 a.m. and running until 10 p.m.
The Saturday viewings, at the Paramount, start at 10 a.m. and run until 10 p.m. The announcement of audience award winners will also be made that evening.
Anita Croasmun, a professor at N.C. State University, has selected the films to showcase each year. This year there are 41 on the schedule.
While the finished products are impressive, she said, it is an added bonus to have several who worked on the projects present for a Q&A after their respective film's showing.
"We're really excited to have the filmmakers there," she said. "On Saturday if they're not speaking about the film, they're going to be available to talk to people about their films and answer questions about filmmaking and the business."
"The Walk," a 30-minute film set against a backdrop of the harsh Arizona desert, explores efforts of a father and his son forced to decide between making their dream come true or saving a life. There are two showtimes, at 1 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.
Alonso Alvarez Barreda from California, director, will be on hand after the screening for a short question and answer session, Ms. Croasmun said.
"He was here last year, with his film 'Crescendo,' which has since been nominated for 16 national awards and won last year's audience choice award for best short film (here)," she said, adding that his work has also been recognized at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Leo Mahoney, director of "Sawdust," which will be shown at 2:45 p.m. Friday, will also be attending the festival. The New Yorker's documentary short film provides a glimpse into the art of wood sculptor Ken Packie.
The other three guests will be on the schedule for Saturday.
Jane Pittman, from Alexandria, Virginia, directed the documentary feature "Coming Back to the Hoop," about her experience as the promising basketball star at her small town high school, who ran off the court during a holiday tournament game and not returning to the court until 43 years later. The film depicts the transformative power of basketball and the healing it brings when connecting with something larger than oneself and becoming part of a team.
Veterans especially may be drawn to the feature film starring and directed by Ron "Stray Dog" Hall, a Vietnam War veteran who lives in southern Missouri and runs At Ease RV Park. "Stray Dog," the film's title and main character who serves as guide on the journey of restless ex-warriors trying to make peace with what they can't change while weathering the incomprehension of those who have never been to war.
The film airs at 4 p.m., with Hall introduced afterward.
"He'll be talking about the filming of the documentary and his work with veterans," Ms. Croasmun said.
The main actor in the Scottish film "Blackbird," Andrew Rothney, will be at the Paramount for the Saturday evening showing at 8 p.m.
The U.K. film is about a young ballad singer Ruadhan in despair watching his quaint hometown erode. Seeing loss all around him, including the music, he desperately attempts to salvage the town's connection to song and preserve the traditions of the past.