A ‘beary' wonderful debut

Film festival icons feted before hitting the streets, by Linda Fields MILFORD — From Mother Earth to Marilyn Monroe, the themes are as diverse and as colorful as ever: the bears for this year’s Black Bear Film Festival made their debut to an eager crowd at the Black Bear Film Festival’s annual Teddy Bear Picnic at the Old Lumberyard Shops on Saturday. Each designed and created by a local artist, the bears can now be seen at sponsored locations around town. “The bears are wonderful this year; we have such a variety and great colors,” said Nancy Pitcher, the festival’s executive director. Of course, the bears are more than just artful projects that are fun to look at; they will be auctioned off to help pay expenses for the film festival. Pitcher told the crowd that getting good films requires political savvy - and good connections don’t hurt either; she said this year, the festival scored a coup: “We’re going to have a huge film this year,” Pitcher said. “Probably one of the most profiled films we have ever had, called ‘Jack Goes Boating.’” The film is a directorial debut for the star, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and also stars Amy Ryan and John Ortiz. Pitcher gives credit to festival board member Celeste O’Neil’s daughter Beth, who as a producer on the film, was able to help the Black Bear Film Festival secure a top comedy now in very limited release in LA and New York. The artists • Bob Harris, whose previous “Bear-nocchio” was a big hit, said his inspiration comes from movies and comic strips; this year’s Star Wars-inspired bear is Darth Vadbear who comes complete with a flashing light, a solar-power light-saber and the sound of breathing! • Stella Provenzano’s Master Baker Bear is a tribute to two family members, “I have a son and son-in-law who are both chefs”, she explained and added, “And I love to bake and cook and it is a big part of our family get-togethers.” This bear carries a basket of yummy--you guessed it-- bear claws. • Phyllis Witt got her inspiration from her son’s girlfriend who designed a bear last year. “I was so inspired by her bear, I wanted to do one”, she explained. Her Mother Earth Bear, wearing flowers and fruit and holding the globe in her hands, is a vibrant tribute to nature. “Mother Earth represents our planet; I hope I did Mother Earth Proud,” Witt said. •The Frida Kahlo Bear by artist Debby D’Aries is an appropriately colorful tribute to the Mexican artist (depicted in the 2002 film “Frida” starring Salma Hayek).The bear wears a necklace with a heart that carries a photo of Frida’s husband, Diego Rivera. D’Aries even incorporates paint brushes in her design. • A stand-out in color is Kimberly Mihiel’s Pretty in Pink Paisley Bear. This bear sports an all-over paisley design painted on a bright pink background. • Amy Rowland’s - Bearilyn Monroe is a tribute to the film legend. Rowland explains, “I look at Marilyn Monroe as a Hollywood icon and thought she’d be a good fit for the film festival. It was a fun project to take on.” The blonde, blue-eyed Bearilyn wears a dress with plunging neckline, and check out her shoes ---Rowland bought them specifically to fit this bear!

Where to see the festival bears
Darth Vadbear: Forest Hall Antiques, 214 Broad Street, Milford
Master Baker Bear: Chant Realty, 106 East Harford Street, Milford
Mother Earth Bear: Belle Reve, 404 East Harford Street, Milford
Frida Kahlo Bear: Hotel Fauchere, 403 Broad Street, Milford
Pretty in Pink Paisley Bear: The Columns Museum, 608 Broad Street
Bearilyn Monroe: The Old Lumberyard Shops, 115 Seventh Street, Milford
About the festival
The Black Bear Film Festival will be held on Columbus Day weekend: October 8, 9, 10, 2010. Tickets will go on sale in early September at the BBFF office at The Upper Mill (opposite the Waterwheel) on Rt. 2001, or call 570.409.0909 for more info. During the festival, any available tickets will be sold at the main venue (Delaware Valley High School) ticket counter.