Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on by Edwin Arnaudin
ANN AND MAEBY — THE EARLY YEARS: Mae Whitman, left, and Alia Shawkat starred in the series State of Grace from 2001-03. The show, co-created by Asheville's Brenda Lunsford Lilly, will have a cast and crew reunion Sunday, June 12 at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Co.

• The Grail Moviehouse presents a screening of Bringing It Home, followed by a filmmaker panel discussion, on Thursday June 9, at 7 p.m. The award-winning documentary extols the global uses of industrial hemp and asks why the U.S. is lagging behind on the cultivation of the beneficial crop. The event features a special-edition hemp ale from One World Brewing Co., hemp-milk ice cream from The Hop, hemp hummus from Roots, plus cannabidiol goods and Rocky Mountain High hemp-infused beverages from Carolina Hemp Company. Tickets are $10. avl.mx/2mp

• The City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department’s 2016 Movies in the Park series continues Friday, June 10, at Pack Square Park with a screening of Finding Nemo. Children’s craft activities begin at 6:30 p.m., and the movie begins at dusk on a giant screen on the park stage. Free and open to the public, but bring a chair or a blanket. avl.mx/g6

• Pearl’s Jam, the second feature from local filmmaker Hank Bones, premieres Saturday, June 11, at 8:30 p.m. at Wedge Brewing Co. The 70-minute caper centers on a record collector/singer who finds a rare 78 rpm disc in a junk shop. Soon his bandmates at 5 Walnut Wine Bar, the owner of the club and a radio DJ begin plotting to capitalize on what could be the most important unknown record. Meanwhile, a Dixieland trombonist who sits in with the band becomes an internet sensation as the world’s oldest rapper. The film features an all-Asheville cast and was shot on location at 5 Walnut, the Desoto Lounge, The Wedge and Camp Rockmont. Free and open to the public. Bring a folding chair. avl.mx/2mr

• Asheville native Brenda Lunsford Lilly’s former TV series, State of Grace, will have a cast and crew reunion at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, June 12. Set in the fictional town of Ashmore, N.C., in 1965, the show follows the exploits of wealthy 12-year-old Grace McKee (Mae Whitman) and her shy Jewish best friend Hannah Rayburn (Alia Shawkat) with narration from Frances McDormand as adult Hannah. It debuted in 2001 on Fox Family Channel and ran for 39 episodes until the network was sold to Disney in 2003.

Lilly, currently a professor at Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen, will be joined by Whitman, Shawkat, co-creator Hollis Rich, former Fox Family Channel Vice President Nancy Redford and castmates Michael Mantell, Faye Grant and Bonnie Bailey-Reed. avl.mx/2mq

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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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2 thoughts on “Screen scene: Local film news”

  1. Brent Brown

    I appreciate the subtle inclusion of that Arrested Development reference in the caption. I saw the photo and thought “those kids look like…”

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