• The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Carolina Mountain Club will host a special screening of the new film, A Walk in the Woods, at the Carolina Cinemas Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. Based on the book by Bill Bryson, the film follows Bryson (Robert Redford) and his friend Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) in their ambitious pursuit to hike the Appalachian Trail. Along the way, the pair encounter treacherous pieces of the trail, chatty thru-hikers and hungry bears.
There will be a 15-minute introduction before the film, and a post-credits discussion will address preparations for increased use of the trail that the movie may generate. The film will be released nationwide Sept. 2, and is rated R for language and some sexual references. Tickets are $7 and must be purchased in advance by calling 2357-4847. carolinacinemas.com
• The Carolina Mountains Literary Festival will present the first public showing of First in Forestry: Carl Schenck and the Biltmore Forest School Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Burnsville Town Center. Produced by Asheville’s Bonesteel Films for Durham’s Forest History Society, this one-hour documentary film explores the contributions of Schenck, a German-born forester and founder of the United States’ first forestry school. Under the authorization of George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate, Schenck oversaw the nation’s first scientifically managed forest, land that became part of the Pisgah National Forest, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016.
First in Forestry combines historical re-enactments, archival footage and photos and interviews with scholars, foresters and conservationists. The screening is free and open to the public, and includes a discussion led by James Lewis, editor of Forest History Today. cmlitfest.org
• The Free Rein Center hosts a screening of the documentary short Riding My Way Back. The event takes place Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Brevard First Baptist Church fellowship hall, on 94 S. Gaston St.
Directed by Robin Fryday and Peter Rosenbaum, the 26-minute film tells the story of Staff Sgt. Aaron Heliker, who, in 2010, returned from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. While he was on 42 medications and feeling desperate, isolated and suicidal, Heliker was introduced to a horse named Fred. Through that relationship, Heliker began the difficult process of reconnecting with the outside world and healing the unseen wounds of war that nearly destroyed him.
Following the film, a panel of local therapeutic riding experts and participants from Free Rein will lead a brief discussion about therapeutic riding. Refreshments will be served. The suggested donation is $10 for adults /$5 for students. freereincenter.com
Send your local film news to ae@mountainx.com
First in Forestry: Carl Schenck and the Biltmore Forest School would be a fascinating movie to watch as my maternal Grandfather was also a German-born forester (strictly a hobbyist) and spoke of him.