Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on by Edwin Arnaudin
ACROMANIACS: Stan Laurel, left, and Oliver Hardy pause on the set of "Liberty." The 1929 film is one of three comedy shorts and animated works in Grail Moviehouse's latest Silent Sundays installment on May 6. Photo courtesy of Image Entertainment

• Western Carolina University presents the Controlled Chaos Film Festival in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, 199 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee. On Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m., WCU students’ films will be screened, several of which have mature subject matter not suitable for children. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors, faculty and staff, $10 students and free for School of Stage and Screen students. They are available online or by calling 828-227-2479. Proceeds and donations benefit the Motion Picture Student Project Fund, which helps students in WCU’s Film and Television Production Program with the cost of creating their senior thesis films. bardoartscenter.wcu.edu

• The 2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour stops by Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard, on Friday, May 4, 8-10 p.m. The event also includes demonstrations and raffles. Attendees are encouraged to bring a comfortable chair. Free. oskarblues.com

• The Paper Mill Lounge and Theatre, 513 Mill St., Sylva, presents A Very Fringe Film Festival on Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6, at 8 p.m. Selections showcase a variety of subject matter, from abstract to realism, and highlight the cultural richness of the creative community in and around Western Carolina University. Attendees must be ages 21 or older and wear cocktail attire. Free to attend. thepapermilllounge.com

• The monthly Silent Sundays series at Grail Moviehouse, 45 S. French Broad Ave., continues May 6, at 7 p.m., with a collection of comedy shorts and animation: Mutt and Jeff On Strike, Get Out and Get Under (starring Harold Lloyd) and Liberty (starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy). Film historian Frank Thompson will introduce each film and participate in a post-screening Q&A. Local stride pianist Andrew J. Fletcher will provide a live, improvised score. Tickets are $12 and available online or at the Grail box office. grailmoviehouse.com

• On Monday, May 7, at 7 p.m., The BLOCK off Biltmore, 39 S. Market St., screens the latest in its Cafe Mortal Film Sessions series, Serving Life. Forest Whitaker narrates the documentary about a group of inmate volunteers who staff their own hospice inside a Louisiana maximum-security prison where the average sentence is over 90 years. Free to attend. theblockoffbiltmore.com

• The Carolina Climbers Coalition presents a screening of Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey on Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at Wedge Brewing Co.’s Foundation location, 5 Foundy St. The documentary profiles the influential climber, who remained passionate about the outdoors until his death last year at age 94. The evening also includes updates on the CCC’s recent access projects at Eagle Rock, Big Rock and Buckeye Knob. Tickets are $15 and available online. carolinaclimbers.org

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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
View all posts by Edwin Arnaudin →

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