Milford goes to the movies

By Charles Reynolds

MILFORD — Fall in Pike County is a time to admire the foliage. But TriState Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Charlene Trotter says it's also a time for film festivals.
The Chamber is co-founder, along with Majestic-Star Entertainment, of the area's newest film festival, which debuts this year. The TriState Film Festival will be held on Sept. 28 and 29 at the Majestic Cinema in Matamoras, with events slated for the Best Western Inn at Hunt's Landing and the Hotel Fauchere in Milford. It will include panels, a women's film symposium, an awards ceremony, and festivities for opening night and closing night. The films to be presented include “To Kill a Mockingbird,” two versions of “Robin Hood,” as well as the best of international shorts and the latest, unreleased to the public, international award-winning films.
“What we really, really like about what we're trying to do here is we're bringing a different feel — a different type — of film festival to this area," said Nelson Page, festival co-host, founder, and president of Majestic-Star Entertainment. “We're calling this the 'unpretentious film festival,' strictly because we think that the emphasis will not be on the red carpet but be on the content of the program.”
The key words for the festival, according to Page, are “innovate, illuminate and inspire.” But, she said, the real word is "fun."
Thomas Meyers, executive director of the Fort Lee Film Commission, will bring a 1912 restored print of “Robin Hood” to the festival, which will be shown after the 90th anniversary showing of the 1922 version starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr. The 1912 version was the first “Robin Hood” filmed in the United States. The commission will also be presenting Mary Badham, who played Scout in “To Kill A Mockingbird,” with their Barrymore Award, for her contribution to this classic film. It is the premier film to be shown at the festival.
Live music accompaniment will be provided by John Baratta, a member of the New York Theatre Organ Society. He plays at the Newton Theater in Newton, N.J., as well as many other area venues, including at Majestic-Star theaters.
“My job is to sit with the film and apply the proper music that fits what is going on," said Baratta. “I am also responsible for sound effects.”
Anyone who's never seen a silent film will be pleasantly surprised at how much the live music and sound effects enhance the viewer's experience, he said.
Two panels at the festival — the Women's Film Symposium and the “This is my Story” panel — will feature notable women in film.
Moderator Christina Kotlar said the panel is “about women making it happen...and they are out there, making it happen.”
"This is a start for people to come out and be inspired and get to know some of the people we have in this area," she said. "It's very exciting.”
The “This is My Story” panel will include a screening of “The Good Mother of Abangoh," about the efforts of a former Presbyterian nun, Sister Jane Mankaa, who started the Good Shepherd Homes in Cameroon. The orphanages serve homeless children whose parents died of AIDS, and who themselves have HIV/AIDS or epilepsy. Local philanthropist Brenda Ruello will moderate the panel, which will also feature author Elizabeth Geitz, who wrote a book about Mankaa.
Other offerings include The Asbury Shorts program, to moderated by Doug LeClaire, and to include 17 short films from around the world. Danny Aiello, the actor and singer whose film credits include "The Godfather: Part II" and "Moonstruck," will host the awards ceremony, the Guest of Honor presentation, a viewing of 10 of his favorite movie clips, a Q&A, and a cabaret with his jazz band.
Festival sponsors are the Best Western, the Hotel Fauchere, Clear Channel, and Bold Gold Media Group. Some sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information visit the TriState Film Festival's Web site, tri-statefilm.com, or cakk 845-856-6694.
The two other film festivals in the area are the Big Eddie Film Festival in Narrowsburg, N.Y. (Sept. 14-16), and the 13th annual Black Bear Film Festival in Milford (Oct. 12 through 14).