Screen scene: Local film news

WEBISODE 2.0: Jeff Alexander and Rebekah Babelay star in "When Fact Met Fiction," Asheville’s latest scripted web series. A new episode of the family-friendly romantic comedy will debut each Friday through the end of January. Photo by Stefan Liner

• “When Fact Met Fiction,” Asheville’s newest scripted web series, premiered last week on YouTube and Vimeo. The family-friendly romantic comedy is set in the office of Southern Sunset magazine, a lifestyle publication owned by single mother and widow Celeste Frank (Carol Shores). When Southern Sunset loses its lead writer days before the issue goes to print, Celeste is forced to call in a family favor from her brother-in-law Jon (Jeff Alexander), who secretly writes best-selling romance novels under the name Nathaniel Embers. Upon arrival, Jon falls for the magazine’s new technical editor, Olivia Smith (Rebekah Babelay), but vows to win her over without revealing his alter ego, who just so happens to be her favorite author.

A new installment in the eight-episode season will debut each Friday until the end of January. Each episode runs roughly 10 minutes and bonus content, such as blooper reels and cast interviews, will also be posted. Other cast members include Mondy Carter, Madison Garris, Karen Covington-Yow, Josef Liner, Miles Rice and Drez Ryan. The series is created by Asheville native Stefan Liner and his business partner and mother, Robin Liner. Their company, East Stream Studio, launched earlier this year and is dedicated to creating projects that celebrate Southern culture and use the talents of the Asheville area’s artistic community. whenfactmetfiction.com

The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center presents an evening of short films about Black Mountain College painters on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. at its 69 Broadway space. Selected films include Willem de Kooning: Artist, Dorothea Rockburne: Drawing Which Makes Itself and Josef Fiore: The Nature of the Artist. The event is free for BMCM+AC members and students with an $8 suggested donation for non-members. blackmountaincollege.org

• Local film historian Frank Thompson leads a Christmas movie seminar on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Asheville School of Film. The course will cover such themes as Nativity scenes, A Christmas Carol, Christmas classics (e.g., It’s A Wonderful Life and The Bishop’s Wife), Christmas horror (e.g., Black Christmas) and Santa Claus. Each theme will explore old and new versions of frequently revisited stories as well as styles ranging from classic to parody. The seminar fee is $40, and registration is available onlineavl.mx/36w

The Israeli Film Series, a monthly collaboration between Grail Moviehouse and the Asheville Jewish Community Center, continues Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. at the Grail with The Green Prince. Nadav Schirman’s documentary reveals how Mosab Hassan Yousef went from being the loyal son of a founding member of Hamas to a key Israeli spy. Tickets are $7 and available online and at the Grail box office. avl.mx/36x

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About Edwin Arnaudin
Edwin Arnaudin is a staff writer for Mountain Xpress. He also reviews films for ashevillemovies.com and is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) and North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA). Follow me @EdwinArnaudin

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4 thoughts on “Screen scene: Local film news

    • Big Al

      More importantly, will there be a gathering (on-line or actual) to whine about the “white-privileged” Oscars this year?

      • boatrocker

        Awwww, those awful ‘racists’ rear their ugly head again by pointing out racism and bring an ugly truth into the light..

        Hollywood’s record for only voting for acting challenged lily white borderline anorexic little waify girls with too much eyeliner pretty much speak for themselves.

        I found it funny how the only one considered for any award from that Straight Outta Compton movie (I’m no Hanke, may he review in peace, I’d give it a ‘pretty ok’) was the white screenwriter. Like a slap in the face.

        Don’t worry, there’s always Tolkien lite, aka Game of Thrones if you need some entertainment.
        Whining about perceived whining makes one a whiner. Consider thy mind blown.

    • Edwin Arnaudin

      I don’t review films for Xpress, so I’m not sure of what’s planned. Comment on one of Scott’s reviews and see what he says.

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