Wellness

MORE BEAUTIFUL WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL FILMS

“The Last Pig.” Film directed by Allison Argo. Film still courtesy of Argo Films.

One of our favorite annual fall festivals is the Woodstock Film Festival, held in the Town of Woodstock, NY.

We’re big fans of the Woodstock Film Festival! It’s one of the most beautiful annual autumn festivals! And we’re in good company:

"It's a great festival... I can't think of another place that seems better suited to have an independent film festival than Woodstock." -- Paul Rudd, Award Winning Actor

“The Woodstock Film Festival is always a pleasure to attend, and the talent that is showcased always amazes me. It's a wonderful and important showcase for any independent filmmaker.” -- Steve Buscemi, Award Winning Actor

"The Woodstock Film Festival is among the finest of a dying breed: a festival that isn't trying to sell you anything, but simply and beautifully celebrating the art & craft of filmmaking." -- Ethan Hawke, Award Winning Actor

The Woodstock Film Festival continues to be the best! It encompasses all that is great about film festivals: New and cutting-edge talent, enthusiastic and engaged audiences, and a warm and welcoming vibe – all with the gorgeous Hudson River Valley as a backdrop. It's a must for filmmakers and movie." --Barbara Kopple, Academy Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker

"It was a very inspiring night. All the independent spirit that was here touched me and inspired me. So thank you, Woodstock, for that, and I go home with some new energy." -- Darren Aronofsky, Award Winning Director

"I've been very fortunate and lucky...I have an Oscar, I have an Emmy, I have a couple of Sundance things and I pushed them over and I put that [Woodstock Film Festival] Maverick Award right in the middle!" -- Leon Gast, Academy Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker

In addition to our first batch favorites, check out this curated selection of the most beautiful 2017 WFF films below:

Farmer pets pigs in still from film entitled “The Last Pig.”

1. THE LAST PIG

The Last Pig is a story about the personal journey of a farmer and his relationship with the pigs he raises. This soulful documentary, directed by Allison Fargo, looks at the senscient nature of pigs and what happens to humans once they connect with it.

Gypsies stand around a campfire in still from film entitled “Girl in Flight.”

2. GIRL IN FLIGHT

Girl in Flight (La Fuga) is a coming of age story of young girl who escapes her dark family home and finds adventure at a gypsy camp. When she can no longer bear living with her mother’s depression, Sylvia she runs away. She is befriended by 13-year-old Emina, a Gypsy girl.

The film is based on the real life story of first-time director Sandra Vannucchi. It was shot in a Roma gypsy camp just outside of Florence, Italy. With compassion and gorgeous cinematography, Girl in Flight is an indie gem.

Man and boy stand in a cloud of white smoke in still from film entitled “Don't Come Back from the Moon.”

Girl and boy ride a bike at sunset in still from film entitled “Don't Come Back from the Moon.”

3. DON’T COME BACK FROM THE MOON

Don't Come Back from the Moon feels like a surreal sci-fi film as we watch men mysteriously disappear from their dilapidated desert town. But the story is real and the reason for their disappearance is the hard reality of their dire need to find jobs elsewhere.

Beautifully shot, director Bruce Thierry Cheung explores the inner struggle and questions about the choice each person must make in whether to stay and try to be successful at home or where to move on in hopes of finding a better life.

Man stands in front of castle ruins in still from film entitled “Waterboys.”

5. WATERBOYS

Waterboys is a father-son bonding version of a guy-flick. Both father and son have been dumped by their respective partners and set out to find themselves on a road trip together from Amsterdam to Edinburgh. They clash, they laugh, they cry, they learn, they grow and they shed their demons along the way. The film, directed by Robert Jan Westdijk, is a light comedy, but with deep character.

Orchestra practices in still from film entitled “Symphony of Hope.”

6. A SYMPHONY OF HOPE

Music has long been a vehicle of hope. After the catastrophic 2010 Haitian earthquake, composer Christopher Lennertz, endeavored to use music to reignite hope among survivors. Inspired by his friendship with founders of Hands Together, a key educational and development organization working in Haiti's largest and poorest slum, Cite Soleil.

Lennertz enlisted 25 award-winning Hollywood composers to create a symphony, based on a Haitian folk song. Each wrote a section, passing it to the next, in sequence. The music of live studio sessions plays as the soundtrack supporting historic and current documentary footage of Haiti for A Symphony of Hope, a beautiful film, directed by Brian Weidling. It is a testament to how music and art can help people rise above their circumstances in strength.

Man in wheelchair rolls down an empty highway in still from film entitled “Roll With Me.”

7. ROLL WITH ME

Gabriel Cordell, a paraplegic man, aimed to set a world record. He set out to be the first person to roll unassisted on his human-powered wheelchair from Santa Monica, CA to Long Island, NY in 100 days. Roll With Me, a new film directed by Lisa France, documents this physically and emotionally challenging journey.

Not only is Gabriel’s life transformed, but so are the lives of the film crew and the bystanders along the way.

Legendary man Shep Gordon lies in hammock by the water in still from film entitled “Supermensch.”

8. SUPERMENSCH: THE LEGEND OF SHEP GORDON

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon is a tribute to one of the most successful men in show biz who you probably never heard of. Comedian Mike Myers makes his directorial debut in this entertaining film, which tracks Gordon’s colorful life, from age 21 when he hung with Janis Joplin & Jimi Hendrix in LA, through his happy rise to quiet fame and fortune. Alice Cooper, Michael Douglas, Tom Arnold, and Sylvester Stallone, and others, along with the Gordon, the Supermensch.

Woman’s face floats in water in still from film entitled “This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous.”

4. THIS IS EVERYTHING: GIGI GORGEOUS

This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous, a feature documentary by Oscar-winning director Barbara Kopple, recounts the backstory of beloved transgender YouTube channel creator Gigi Gorgeous, whose real name is Giselle Lazzarato.

The film is one of the most high-profile projects to emerge from YouTube Red. It offers a fascinating and highly emotional look at the life of one YouTube’s biggest stars.

Home video footage, interviews with Lazzarato’s family, and video selfies come together to help tell the story of Gigi’s transition. “My camera became my therapist and YouTube became my diary, where I would post everything,” she says.

Beautiful woman in white fur coat walks down the street in winter in this still from film entitled “This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous.”

Read more about Autumn Gatherings in Most Beautiful Films at Woodstock Film Festival.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

Catskill mountains stand behind trees in autumn.

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Peace sign made of yellow and orange autumn flowers.

IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: “The Last Pig.” Film directed by Allison Argo. Film still courtesy of Argo Films.
Image: “The Last Pig.” Film directed by Allison Argo. Film still courtesy of Argo Films.
Image: “Girl in Flight.” Film directed by Sandra Vannucchi. Film still courtesy of Michael King & Ruedi Gerber.
Image: “Don't Come Back from the Moon.” Film directed by Bruce Thierry Cheung. Film still courtesy of Great Point Media.
Image: “Don't Come Back from the Moon.” Film directed by Bruce Thierry Cheung. Film still courtesy of Great Point Media.
Image: “Waterboys.” Film directed by Robert Jan Westdijk. Film still courtesy of Corinth Films.
Image: “A Symphony of Hope.” Film directed by Brian Weidling. Film still courtesy of Tumbleweed Entertainment.
Image: “Roll With Me.” Film directed by Lisa France. Film still courtesy of Roll With Me.
Image: “Supermensch” Film directed by Mike Myers and Beth Aala. Film still courtesy of Dogwoof.
Image: “This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous.” Film directed by Barbara Kopple. Film still courtesy of Cabin Creek Films.
Image: “This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous.” Film directed by Barbara Kopple. Film still courtesy of Cabin Creek Films.
Image: by Paul VanDerWerf. “Overlook Mountain.” Woodstock, NY.
Image: by BN App - Download now!
Image: Melissa Delzio. “Woodstock, NY.” Woodstock, NY.