International, independent, local filmmakers featured
The 11th annual Weyauwega International Film Festival will features 74 films from around the globe.
The entire lineup of films will be available online from Nov. 11-21.
A limited number of films will be screened at the Gerold Opera House in Weyauwega Friday through Sunday, Nov. 11-13.
Wisconsin films
About half a dozen of the movies were filmed in Wisconsin or highlight Wisconsin people.
Some of the filmmakers are expected to attend the festival.
“Lonesome,” a romantic comedy filmed in black-and-white, will be screened the closing night film at the Gerold.
A debut production by director Tony K. Hall, of Milwaukee, “Lonesome” tells the story of a man in search of the ideal partner.
“This delightful film revolves around one man’s search for love,” according to festival organizer Ian Teal. “When he thinks he has finally found love, he then quickly loses it. His comedic and charming adventures are set in Milwaukee.”
Hall was inspired by silent film, French New Wave and movies from the classic era.
Two documentaries from Wisconsin will screen Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Gerold.
“Love on Holiday” is about group of musicians from around the country who gather in a hotel in Sturgeon Bay once a year for the Love On Holiday Festival.
“They break of into teams and each is assigned an artwork by local artists as inspiration for an original song,” Teal said. “We intimately see their process as they work to create, record and perform their new works.”
The film is directed by Chris Opper of Fish Creek.
“Eternal Harvest” is about a retired school principal from Wausau who regularly travels to Laos to help clear old bombs which were dropped by the United States during the Vietnam War.
“Children and adults are regularly maimed or killed by the 80 million unexploded bombs,” Teal said. “Jim Harris’ bravery and determination are inspiring, as he is the only American actually trying to help.”
Harris will attend the screening of “Eternal Harvest” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11.
Hunting wolves
“Operation Wolf Patrol” is a feature-length documentary about eco-activist and Native American Rod Coronado and his attempt to end wolf hunting in the United States.
Directed by Joe Brown of the University of Colorado, the film spends three years following Coronado’s efforts in northern Wisconsin.
“It is about more than just wolves,” Teal said. “The whole situation is intertwined with bear and coyote hunting and the large packs of dogs that hunters use to track and even kill their prey. The wolves have become a byproduct of these hunts, as they will attack hunters dogs, which are allowed to roam freely through the woods during months of hunting ‘practice.’ I was shocked at the ugliness of the whole situation, especially the lawless attitudes and actions of the hunters who are hunting on Wisconsin’s public lands.”
The film also looks at Wisconsin’s hunter harassment law that makes it illegal to take photos of hunters on public lands.
Coronado spent five years in prison after being convicted in connection to the 1992 fire at an animal research lab at Michigan State University.
Comedy, cartoon
Teal describes “Make America Bake Again” as a “wacky comedy series about a contestant vying for a spot on a TV baking show. For whatever reason, the filmmakers, who are from Brooklyn, decided to set it in Weyauwega, Wisconsin. The five-part series is silly fun.”
For about the past five years, Madison teacher Luke Bassuener has led his fourth- and fifth-grade classes in making an animated short based on classic fables.
“We have screened them every year,” Teal said. “The kids perform the voices, create the animations and also create the original music for the short films.”
This year’s animated short film from the students is called “Little Blood.”
“Swing Country” is a documentary that follows Lee Snodgrass as she campaigns for Wisconsin Assembly during the 2020 elections.
“We see her determination and dedication in what is a losing battle in her overly gerrymandered district,” Teal said.
International films
In addition to independent and art films from the United States, the Weyauwega International Film Festival presents movies from around the world.
Australia, Israel, India, Japan, France, Britain, Norway, Switzerland, Norway, Russia and Canada are among the nation’s whose filmmakers are represented at this year’s festival.
British filmmaker Chris John Brooke’s poignant documentary, “Hiroshima: City of Water,” shares the experiences of survivors of the 1945 atomic bomb while drawing parallels with the seven rivers that flow through the city.
“Horror and humanity are both explored in this engaging and moving documentary,” Teal said.
“Bone Cage” is a Canadian film about a young man who works in the lumber industry clearing forests. He attempts to save the animals he finds after he destroys their habitat.
“He drinks to fend off the truth, yet there are few options for other employment,” Teal said. “He also is fighting other demons from his past, yet commits to marry his girlfriend. This naturalistic film puts you in this man’s shoes and highlights the struggles and difficult choices that many are faced with in life.”
Psychofest
Psychofest returns to the film festival as part of its annual tribute to Robert Bloch, who wrote the novel “Psycho” while living in Weyauwega. There are 21 horror, thrillers and sci-fi films this year, including several Wisconsin films such as “Breathing Underwater,” which was filmed in Manitowoc.
Passes, tickets
Festival passes cost $35 for all 74 films, including all three days of screenings at the Gerold.
Day passes at the Gerold are $12 per day. Individual virtual tickets are $6 per feature or block of shorts.
To see the full lineup of films and purchase passes and tickets visit wegafilm.com.
Masks will be required at all screenings at the Gerold.