Starting this Friday, "Whale Rider" is among a series of films to be shown this fall that draw from a lesser-known pool of films. Upcoming movies include "Spellbound," "Russian Arc" and "Winged Migration." Jamie Sutton, owner of the Homer Theatre, said the independent films are an effort to bring some interesting films to the Homer area in addition to the regular Hollywood fare.
"The reason is, they are better movies," Sutton said. "A wonderful thing is going on in the movie business. Independent films are finding new places to show their wares."
Sutton said the theater's Seattle agent has been alerting him to some of the interesting independent films circulating this fall, and the four above-mentioned films are coming as a result.
The first, "Whale Rider," has won audience awards at film festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival, the San Francisco Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. The story follows a 12-year-old girl from the Maori community of New Zealand seeking acceptance from her grandfather.
"It's a brilliant, wonderful, thoughtful, well-crafted movie," Sutton said. "It's a great Homer movie. It has great spirit."
In mid-September, "Spellbound," a documentary about eight young spellers gearing up for the National Spelling Bee, will hit the silver screen. The movie, like several independent films shown at the theater already, will be a fund-raiser for the Homer Library's new facility project, and will feature a youth and adult spelling bee prior to its showing.
"Spellbound" has won numerous awards including best documentary at the Woodstock Film Festival. Sutton said while the topic might sound bland, the movie is anything but.
In November, the theater will bring "Russian Arc," a documentary on the Hermitage of St. Petersburg, a Russian museum. Sutton said the movie was chosen in part to reach out the area's Russian population.
Though yet to be scheduled, some time this fall the theater plans to show a documentary titled "Winged Migration." The film explores the mystery of birds in flight and took more than 450 people to film. It follows the bird migrations through 40 countries and seven continents using everything from gliders to balloons.
Sutton said these films are part of the theater's effort to open its doors to the community, and Friday night fund-raiser opportunities are another way the theater hopes to facilitate that cause.
Janet Bowen with the Homer Council on the Arts is helping Sutton organize future fund-raisers, providing potential beneficiaries with a list of movies they can sponsor in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.
Bowen said the theater's interest in opening its doors not only to independent films and fund-raisers but other activities as well adds to the community.
Sutton said reaching out to those in Homer who are not necessarily Hollywood fans is part of the theater's mission.
"We're trying to use the theater as a community resource," he said.
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