Offering a farm fresh alternative to stale cinema, the Free Range Film Festival in rural Wrenshall will host its fourth year of films on July 27-28. The event has drawn a lot of unexpected attention due to its unusual venue and its unusual taste in movies.
"You won't be able to see our movies at Duluth 10," said Anne Dugan, a festival coordinator. "We have top caliber local and international filmmakers screening their work on a huge screen inside a historic barn - that's a unique experience for everyone involved."
The event gets under way Friday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m. with a collection of short films and then a special sneak screening of the documentary "Urban Explorers." The film features a growing subculture of adventure seekers from around the world who are exploring places where most people would never dream of going.
Director Melody Gilbert said, "If you've ever wondered what's underneath all those manhole covers, behind all those locked doors or inside all those crumbling buildings, then this film is for you."
The shows will continue with an afternoon session at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, and again at 7:30 p.m. that evening. Some highlights include the short film "Cross Country with the Snakes" by local filmmaker Hansi Johnson. The film follows the drummer of the popular indie blues band the Black Eyed Snakes and shows some serious rock stars getting hooked on cross country skiing. Also playing are shorts from the UK, Mexico, and Brazil.
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It all takes place at the junctions of County Roads 1 and 4 just a few miles south of Wrenshall. More than 35 films will be shown at the festival ranging in length from two minutes to over an hour.
The suggested $10 donation goes towards maintenance of the theater and organization of the festival.
More information is available at the festival Web site: www.freerangefilm.com .
