EmailEmail
PrintPrint
Film notes: Local projects ready for close-ups
Sunday, September 14, 2008

"The Fear of Us," the second chapter in Chris Ivey's "East of Liberty" film project about the consequences of redevelopment in East Liberty, will have four outdoor screenings beginning Friday in Homewood's CEA Gazebo, corner of Frankstown Road and Homewood Avenue.

The screening that had been scheduled for last Friday on Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park, has been postponed until Sept. 28. Other screenings, all at dusk (around 8:45 p.m.), are Sept. 27 at Ozanam Cultural Center's basketball park; and Oct. 4 in the parking lot of Lincoln Elementary School in Lincoln-Larimer.

The documentary project began when Ivey was hired to document the tearing down of East Liberty high rises and he discovered discontent among the residents who were being displaced.

So he began documenting the changing East Liberty from the point of view of those longtime residents. The first chapter, "A Story of Good Intentions," focused on residents' concerns, first screened in December 2006 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. The second chapter, "The Fear of Us," was first seen in February. It focuses on "ongoing race, class and gentrification issues in the context of existing and new businesses in the East Liberty area."

The screenings are made possible by grants from Pittsburgh 250 Community Connections and Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, plus foundations and private support.

'Neighborhood Narratives'

"Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives," a Pittsburgh 250 project by local filmmakers Kristen Shaeffer and Andrew Halasz, has its premiere 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Regent Square Theater. A reception will follow at Concept Gallery, next door to the theater.

The project asked for filmmakers who have never left their neighborhoods, who live elsewhere but grew up in a city neighborhood and those who have adopted Pittsburgh to produce shorts with the common theme: passion for the place and an understanding of its uniqueness.

The results come from Nelson Chipman and Jeremy Braverman (Regent Square); Ray Werner (Strip District); John Rice (South Side); Matthew J. Fridg and Jenn Golling (Homestead); Justin Crimone (Downtown); Jason Georgiades (Bloomfield); Sam Turich and Gab Reznek (Lawrenceville); Justin Francart (Oakland); and Timothy Hall and Marc Nieson (Hill District).

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Pittsburgh Filmmakers theaters and at 477 Melwood Ave. during hours of operation.

"Neighborhood Narratives" is supported in part by Pittsburgh 250 Community Connections and The Sprout Fund. Details: www.pghneighborhoodnarratives.com.

First published on September 14, 2008 at 12:00 am
Featured Rentals