Woodstock Film Festival's co presentation with the STRANGER THAN FICTION Fiction documentary film series at the IFC Center in NYC started on a high note Tuesday night with the sold out screening of MY GENERATION. Two-time Academy-Award® winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple crafted a masterful tapestry of different generations, spanning from the Woodstock music concert of 1969, through those of 1994 (in Saugerties, NY) and 1999 (in Rome, NY). And with the 40th anniversary of Woodstock 69 fast approaching, the relevance of the film, which focuses on the similarities and differences between generations, is more timely now than ever. The film had not screened in public since 2000, and judging from the reaction of the audience members who packed the house, it was as seminal today as it was then.
Following the screening, the audience was treated to a fabulous Q&A with director Barbara Kopple, concert producer Michael Lang, and one of the concerts top staff members Lee Blumer. The Q&A was hosted by Woodstock Film Festival co-founder and executive director Meira Blaustein. The audience got a rare insight into the challenges faced by concert planners and attendees, and a birds eye perspective from those who created it.
Raphaela Niehausen who represented STRANGER THAN FICTION in the absence of founder and programmer Thom Powers (away at the Cannes Film Festival) helped with crowd control as the lively conversation spilled out into the street and over to La Lanterna where the after party, sponsored by CIROC Vodka, went on late into the night.
All and all it was a fabulous event. We can't wait until next Tuesday where WFF and STF co-present the 1997 Academy-Award® winning film WHEN WE WERE KINGS. Director Leon Gast, executive producer David Sonenberg and editor Jeffery Levy-Hinte will be present for Q&A, with another Ciroc Vodka after party to follow.
See you all at the movies!
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