Another festival added to the seventeen year history of documentary film fests in Hot Springs, Arkansas happened.

  Regardless of any variables common to any organizational structure, ups-and-downs inerrant to the growing pains of any dream worth supporting, and shifts on directive; one aspect of this fest has been always stable, magnificent, and absolutely inspiring: the movie makers and their awesome work!

 Ten days of pure joy in experiencing a collection of absolutely valid, inspiring, and deeply reflective of human value at its best unfolds from day to day in the form of film documentaries.

 

 

Albert Maysles  documentary "Salesman" was the grand opening event of this year's festival.

A full show house reflected locals and fans great admiration and a deep appreciation for Maysles' life-time of devotion to the documentary film arts.

Maysles technique, superb eye, and unbelievable ability to capture time and again moments of intimate spontaneous emotions, at a time in the industry when the equipment was as invading as the presence of large elephant at a small party, is truly magnificent.

 

 

THE BEAUTY OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE CREATIVE LATITUDE OF MANIPULATION THAT THIS MEDIA OFFERS. PERSONALLY, I FIND THIS ART FORM TO BE THE MOST VERSATILE AND BROAD OF ALL ART FORMS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  ONE RAINY EVENING IN HOT SPRINGS, AR  GAVE US A CHANCE TO PLAY WITH THE CAMERAS AND LIGHTING TURNING WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BORING INTO A DISPLAY OF MOODY COLOR!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART OF THE FUN OF WORKING WITH THIS MEDIA IS THE INFINITE LATITUDE FOR DISCOVERY OF BOTH; SELF AND TECHNIQUE OPEN TO ANYONE WHO MAY GIVE THEMSELVES PERMISSION TO "PLAY" WITH ALL THE AVAILABLE TOOLS.  FOR INSTANCE, THE POSTARIZED IMAGE ON THE LEFT SHOWS THE SHADOW OF A CAMERAMAN ION A FILM CRANE OVER A GUARDED PARKING SPACE, YET, WHEN SEEN AS AN ABSTRACTION IT CREATES A MUSTACHED FACE  LOOKING RIGHT.

 

Producer Peter Carson is also the owner of  Sagebrush Productions is being interviewed during the HSDFF about his various productions over the years.

Pinetop Perkins documentary Born in the Honey by Peter Carson was shown at the fest the previous year when I met both; Peter and Pinetop.  From one of the photo opportunities I was fortunate to capture some great images of both: Pinetop and Peter

 

 

JERRY VAN DYKE WAS ONE OF THE MOVIE MAKERS TO OUR 17TH DOCUMENTARY FILM FEST.  JERRY DOCUMENTED HIS ADVENTURE IN TRYING TO PRODUCE A FILM IN WHICH THE CHARACTERS WERE NOT PROFESSIONAL ACTORS.  INSTEAD, HE SELECTED REAL PEOPLE WHO WERE IN FACT DOING IN LIFE WHAT HE WANTED TO USE IN HIS STORY. "IF YOU WANT A BARBER IN YOUR SCRIPT, THEN FIND A REAL BARBER TO FIT THE PART INSTEAD OF TRAINING AN ACTOR TO BE A FAKE BARBER" JERRY EXPLAINED DURING THE Q&A THAT NORMALLY FOLLOWS THE SCREENINGS. FUNNY, FRIENDLY, AND VERY CREATIVE, JERRY HAD EVERYONE HANGING AROUND HIM FOR A LAUGH, A HAND-SHAKE, AN AUTOGRAPH, OR SIMPLY TO ENJOY HIS FANTASTIC ENERGY.  

 

 

Michael York was another star who came to this year's festival.  He left a trail of loving admirers.  His king and graceful attitude toward everyone who came in contact with him made it very easy to open their hearts to this soft and very eloquently spoken actor!