The Clifton Center opens its new season this week with a free screening of a documentary about environmental crises across the United States. Canadian filmmaker Matthew Anderson’s “Fall and Winter” is part of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, a series of new films curated by SouthArtsthat tours the Southeast every year. The Clifton Center will screen six films from the tour this season.“Fall and Winter” screens on Sunday at the Clifton Center, and a Q and A with the filmmaker will follow. The event is free."The filmmaker was interested in finding out more about not only the depth of the problem we face environmentally, but how is it playing out across the country of the United States, and what are some of the solutions by people in various parts of the country," says Clifton Center executive director John Harris. "He went on a tour throughout the country to explore these things. It’s a very intense film but in the end a very enlightening one." Harris says the Southern Circuit Tour, which includes both documentaries and feature films, is an effective way for the Center to be involved in the work of new filmmakers in an organized way. The tour also brings each filmmaker to the Clifton Center for post-screening discussions with the audience.“One of the things we focus on at The Clifton Center is not just presenting really great performers and great artists and great art but trying to increase the level and depth of involvement by the audience members. So providing additional context is really important to us,” he says. ""We were just really excited about the diversity of the films involved."Over the last three years, the Clifton Center has transitioned from a rental facility into a producing organization. Harris says the center’s mission now is to serve as a gathering space for art, culture and ideas. “The idea was to create more of a cultural center here, a place where people could gather for really great art, wonderful music," he says. "The season also includes about 20 concerts by artists like singer/songwriter Aimee Mann and Zydeco roots act Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole. The Center's lecture series, which Harris says is modeled on TED Talks and is designed to give smart, creative people from the community the opportunity to engage audiences with interesting ideas, will tie in thematically with the Southern Circuit Tour films. The Southern Circuit Tour Film ScheduleSeptember 8, 7 p.m. “Fall and Winter,” an environmental crises and solutions documentary by Canadian filmmaker Matthew Anderson.October 13, 7 p.m. "Mommy, I'm A Bastard!" by Bennett Barbakaow. A young filmmaker considers the three families linked by his adoption, weaving threads of Hollywood, Cherokee chieftains, Reaganomics, Jews, WASPs and misunderstanding.November 17, 7 p.m. "Out of Print"by Vivienne Roumani-Denn. This film draws us into the world of words, illuminating the turbulent, exciting journey from the book through the digital revolution, all to highlight how this revolution is changing everything about the printed word – and changing us.February 9, 7 p.m. "David" by Joel Fendelman. The remarkable story of one 11-year-old boy who innocently manages to break down interfaith barriers. It is a story of faith, friendship and family and the challenges of being different in America.March 9, 7 p.m. "Barzan" by Alex Stonehill and Bradley Hutchinson. Barzan is an intimate portrait of a suburban family ripped apart by a terrorism accusation. Shot both in Iraq and Seattle, this investigative documentary examines terrorism, immigration, and the sacrifices we make to protect the American dream.April 6, 7 p.m. "The Winding Stream" by Beth Harrington. A music history documentary-in-progress that tells the story of the American roots music dynasty, the Carter and the Cash families. The film traces the ebb and flow of their influence and the efforts of present-day family to keep this legacy alive.
