Features FILMS
A Good Wolf
(Ramey Newell, Canada, 2024, 92min)
Filmmaker in attendance!
Good Wolf dives deep into the rugged wilds on the northeastern edge of Denali National Park, a battleground where human interests clash over the fate of wolves and bears. This isn’t just a documentary about predators—it's about the intense struggle to find balance in one of America's last truly wild places. Wildlife activists, a local hunter, and Denali's own biologists take center stage in this three-year journey through Alaska's untamed frontier. As they navigate the fierce debates over conservation, hunting rights, and the very essence of wilderness, Good Wolf reveals the stark contrasts in how we value our wild spaces and the creatures that inhabit them. Get ready for a powerful exploration of what it means to coexist with the wild.
SCREENING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 @ 7PM
Everything Fun You Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois
(Bethany Berg, USA, 2024, 65 min)
Everything Fun You Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois is a riotous comedy that takes you on a nostalgic joyride! After three decades apart, two childhood friends reunite at their high school reunion and dust off their long-forgotten bucket list. What follows is a wild adventure through Aledo’s most mischievous escapades—think skinny dipping in the town pool, daring make-out sessions, and a hilarious shoplifting spree. But their fun hits a snag with the bumbling sheriff hot on their trail, creating a side-splitting chase full of mishaps and mayhem. This heartwarming and hilarious film celebrates enduring friendships and the chaotic joy of youth, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for a laugh-out-loud ride with Everything Fun You Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois!
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Collage
(Marius Conrotto, 2024, Spain, 10 min)
A museum worker tries to convince a co-worker that two visitors are flirting, citing six scientifically proven signs of attraction.
SCREENING SATURDAY, OCTOBER @ 1PM
Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted!
(Issac Gale, Ryan Olson, 2024, USA, 97min)
Filmmaker in attendance!
Plunge into the electrifying world of Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted!—a film that’s as wild and unpredictable as the legendary musicians it showcases. Imagine a creative sanctuary in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, where three iconic Black musicians have turned their home into a nonstop party of sound, laughter, and endless creativity. Swamp Dogg, the cult music rebel with over five decades of mind-blowing artistry, has crafted a "bachelor pad for aging musicians" like no other. Alongside the mad genius of Moogstar and the legendary licks of Guitar Shorty, Swamp Dogg is still shaking up the music world—one wild jam session at a time.
This film is a vibrant, high-octane ride through Swamp Dogg’s unstoppable career, blending side-splitting anecdotes, jaw-dropping performances, and a career spanning over 2,000 songs and 26 groundbreaking albums. It’s not just a music documentary; it’s an explosion of creativity where the rules don’t apply, and the fun never stops. Prepare to be blown away by this raucous celebration of friendship, music, and the sheer joy of living life full throttle.
SCREENING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 @ 6:30PM
Cash For Gold
(Deborah Puette, Robert Enriquez, USA, 2024, 92min)
Filmmakers in attendance!
Set against the backdrop of Chisholm, MN, Cash for Gold unravels a gripping narrative of loss, redemption, and the unforgiving pull of past mistakes. Grace, an Army widow clinging to sobriety and struggling to support her young son as Christmas approaches, takes a desperate job at the Queen of Persia Gold Emporium, a pawn shop run by the town’s only Muslim family. The friction is immediate when she meets Hasan, the owner's son, who harbors secrets of his own. As their uneasy relationship evolves, they are drawn into a high-stakes confrontation that will test their limits.
Featuring an exceptional cast including Deborah Puette (Revolution), Farshad Farahat (Argo), David Sullivan (Argo), JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist), Jeff Kober (Sons of Anarchy), and Andrew J. West (The Walking Dead), this poignant tale of forgiveness and hope challenges Grace and Hasan to confront their darkest truths. Will this explosive night be their undoing or their chance at a new beginning?
SCREENING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 @ 7PM
Sponsors: Canal Place Brewery, Cultures, Humanities, and Arts on the Iron Range
Freedom, Wisconsin
(Molly Preston, 2023, USA, 73min)
Freedom, Wisconsin is a dark comedy that follows Penny, a disillusioned young woman trapped in a cycle of monotonous small-town life. Stuck in a dead-end job, drinking cheap beer, and crashing funerals for kicks, Penny's routine is upended when her bartender introduces her to Ephram, a struggling writer on a Midwest cycling quest for inspiration. With nowhere else to go, Ephram pitches his tent in Penny's front yard, setting off a series of unexpected and uproarious events. As Penny contemplates the end of her funeral-crashing escapades and Ephram seeks his literary muse, their unlikely encounter sparks a chaotic journey that could change both their lives forever. Will Penny’s days of mischief come to a close, or will Ephram's presence ignite a new chapter in her life?,
SCREENING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 @ 7PM
The Dells
(Nellie Kluz, 2024, USA, 72 min)
Dive into the surreal world of The Dells, where American kitsch meets the clash of dreams and reality. Set in Wisconsin Dells, the so-called “Waterpark Capital of the World,” this film offers a sharp, sometime comedic look at the lives of international student workers on J-1 visas.
Hailing from countries like Turkey, Romania, Jamaica, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic, these students land in a town bustling with waterparks and tourist traps, only to find themselves grappling with the gritty reality of low-wage jobs and cultural missteps.
As they juggle lifeguarding, housekeeping, and serving, The Dells reveals a uniquely American experience through their eyes: the frustration of unfulfilled promises, the absurdity of their situations, and the rare moments of genuine connection. With its blend of humor and poignant observation, this film captures the bittersweet essence of chasing dreams in the land of opportunities, revealing both the harsh realities and the enduring hope that define that journey.
SCREENING SUNDAY OCTOBER 6 @ 2:30PM
Domus de Janas
(Myriam Raccah, Belgium, Italy, 2024, 69min)
In Domus de Janas, director Myriam Raccah takes us to Sardinia's Oliena, where the slopes of Monte Corrasi are plagued by drought, and ancient legends seem to have faded from memory. Yet, as Raccah spends time with the locals, the deep spirit of these stories hovers everywhere. This film invites you to explore Sardinia’s ancient burial sites—once believed to be the homes of fairies or witches—where past and present intertwine. Through the music, the expanses of olive trees, the fires of San Giovanni, and the rituals of the people, the ancient myths are powerfully evoked. The journey also uncovers connections between the island’s rugged landscapes and the lives of modern Sardinians, much like the North Shore’s own blend of natural beauty and folklore. This poetic cinematic fresco, shaped by the hands of local residents, resonates with the wild, untamed spirit familiar to anyone who has stood on the shores of Lake Superior.
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Patient
(Lori Felker, USA, 2024, 20min)
Filmmaker in attendance!
Fiction, reality, the private, and the performed overlap on a routine but emotional day at a medical center
SCREENING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 @ 3PM
Light Needs
(Jessie McLean, 2023, USA, 72min)
Filmmaker in attendance!
Get ready to see houseplants like you've never seen them before. Light Needs, created by Wisconsin filmmaker Jesse McLean, is an experimental documentary that delves into the surprisingly intimate and complex relationships we form with our green companions. This isn't just a film about plants; it's a journey through the homes and workplaces of plant lovers, uncovering the hidden dynamics of how we coexist with these silent yet expressive beings.
Captured over several years, the film showcases a variety of spaces where plants and people share their lives. But Light Needs goes beyond mere observation—it's a thought-provoking exploration of what we gain and lose in these unique relationships. By focusing on the social contracts between humans and plants, the film challenges us to reconsider our responsibilities toward all living beings.
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Follow Your Feel Good: The Art of Sarah Seidelmann
(Asher James Carlson, 2024, USA, 8min)
Filmmaker in attendance!
"Follow Your Feel Good: The Art of Sarah Seidelmann" is a short documentary about Sarah’s mission to create art that "makes love visible" and how it came about.
SCREENING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 @ 12:30PM
Vulcanizadora
(Joel Potrykus, 2024, USA 85min)
Get ready for a cinematic experience like no other with Joel Potrykus’s VULCANIZADORA. Set in the foreboding Michigan woods, this film follows two friends (Potrykus and Joshua Burge) who dive into a dark and electrifying mission that quickly unravels, leading one to face the harrowing consequences of their actions back home. Potrykus, celebrated for his fearless storytelling, intertwines heavy metal comedy with profound existential drama, exploring the raw space between hope and despair, life and death. The film delves into the poignant contrasts between the two friends—one who feels he has nothing left to live for and the other who discovers he has something to fight for. As actions and consequences collide, VULCANIZADORA delivers a gripping narrative where desperate choices create powerful reverberations. With Potrykus’s signature edgy style and outstanding performances from both him and Burge, this film promises a genre-defying adventure that will challenge and captivate audiences, leaving a lasting impression.
SCREENING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 @ 9PM