Screen scene: Local film news

Posted on by Edwin Arnaudin
OUT OF TIME: R.E.M. is one of several bands featured in Athens, GA: Inside Out, Tony Gayton's documentary about the college town's rise to national music prominence. Photo by Frank Ockenfells III

• The North Asheville Public Library’s monthlong America, America film series — featuring works that wrestle with the idea and reality of America — continues Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m., with a screening of Easy Rider (95 min., rated R). Dennis Hopper’s classic 1969 road movie follows motorcyclists Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Hopper) as they search for a purpose to their lives on the U.S. highways. Jack Nicholson co-stars as alcoholic American Civil Liberties Union lawyer George Hanson. Free and open to the public. avl.mx/1d0

• Grail Moviehouse’s and Harvest Records’ latest collaborative screening will be Athens, GA: Inside/Out (82 min., not rated) on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 7:15 p.m., at the Grail. Tony Gayton‘s 1987 documentary chronicles how the college town vaulted onto the national music scene through bands such as R.E.M. and the B-52s, giving rise to a new independent sound. Interviews with subjects including celebrated Georgia folk artist Howard Finster and performances by Pylon, B-B-Que Killers, Time Toy, Jim Herbert, Flat Duo Jets, Love Tractor, Kilkenny Cats and Squalls provide further insight into the regional and cultural factors that made Athens a distinct music destination. Tickets are available online and at the Grail box office. The cost is $7 for students and seniors and $9 for adults. avl.mx/3a3

• The West Asheville Public Library’s monthly Pixar film series continues Friday, Jan. 20, at 4:30 p.m., with Cars (117 min., rated G). The animated feature focuses on celebrity race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and the changes he undergoes during an unexpected stopover in the small town of Radiator Springs. The film will be preceded by the Pixar short One Man Band. Free and open to the public. avl.mx/1z5

• The Hollerin’ Contest at Spivey’s Corner is available to view for free online via Vimeo. Brian Gersten’s documentary short chronicles the history, characters and sounds of the National Hollerin’ Contest, which was held annually in the Sampson County town from 1969 to 2016. The film follows the stories of three former champions as they strive to reclaim their titles and keep the tradition of hollerin’ alive. vimeo.com/128667339

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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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3 thoughts on “Screen scene: Local film news”

  1. boatrocker

    For living my first 15 years in Athens, GA, all the bands from there did not appeal to me. Vapid pop. Still so.

    • boatrocker

      Sorry, I just don’t like the ear taste of the Athens, GA sound, same as anybody might not like the mouth taste of certain foods or the eye taste of certain color schemes. Flavor?

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