Tom Wilkinson is working with Robert Tinnell of Fairmont, WV, author of “The Feast of Seven Fishes,” on a new film about UFO legend Gray Barker called “Shades of Gray.” The South Charleston Museum presented an early version of the preview film last fall. Now you can see a better, longer preview at the film’s website.  (more…)

Ken Hechler spoke at the annual Truman Symposium at the Harry S. Truman Little White House, Key West, Floriday that place May 16th and 17th. The  topic was “The Immigration Legacy of Harry S. Truman.”   Ken’s speech was called “A Common Man’s Perspective.” His presentation was partially a response to the immediately preceding one given by Professor Dinnerstein, ” ” Truman and the Jews of Europe.” Dinnerstein blasted Truman and said that FDR did much more for the Jews of Europe. Ken did extensive research, calling the authors of various books on Truman and the Jews, even buying one book that cost over $100 from Amazon.com which he used extensively.

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First Run/Icarus Films, like other small indie film distributors in NYC including Zeitgeist, New Yorker, Kino and others, distribute most of the best films released each year. Recently I previewed five of their new releases, borrowing some for WV filmmakers…..

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Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro have created “Body of War,” one of the best films so far on the effects of the “War on Terror” on our brave soldiers. This focused 87 minute look at the life of one GI, Thomas Young, truly shows the pain that the  tens of thousands of wounded military are living, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Hopefully it will win an Oscar.

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Ken with his 2008 jeep - ready for a parade!

Ken Hechler was tired of people asking him where his red jeep was…….so be traded in his silver jeep this week, and got a great new, super-duper 2008 model, in red. Everyone was immediately pleased……..what is the world going to become when Ken Hechler, license plate “Ken-Do,” is NOT driving a red jeep…..

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 Robert Gates, co-founder and long-time president of the WV Filmmakers Guild

Official press release from WVFG -

SUTTON - The West Virginia Filmmakers Guild (WVFG) celebrates its twenty-five year anniversary June 6 - 8 in Sutton, WV with recognition of past members and workshops to promote the future of filmmaking in West Virginia. “We are excited about what is in store for film in West Virginia,” Terry Lively, WVFG President said. “And we’re proud of our members who have helped build the foundation of  our industry over the last quarter century.” (more…)

Update -Memorial Service, (formerly called West Side Methodist Church) Caanan Charge of the United Methodist Church, 401 Roane St., Charleston, WV on 5/31/2008, from 1-4 p.m.  there will be a jam session following.

Iris Bell was one of WV’s great singers, right up there with the Amazing Delores. I came to know Iris for a while during her return to the stage. She would come to Film Services to borrow 16 mm movies to project on-stage during her act. She was one of a handful of local musicians who understood mixing sight and sound long before MTV and everything else. Here is a nice Gazette story about her life.

William C. Blizzard giving a presentation at the WV Cultural Center. Photos show his parents and Ma Blizzard who was one of WV’s first labor activists.

Ross Ballard, president of WV’s only audio book company, MountainWhispers.com, worked on with the people who produced the very popular History Channel program, “Hillbilly - the Real Story.” They continue to air it on a regular basis. You can purchase an autographed copy of the DVD from Ross at his website.

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 Mike Sublette, president of The Appalachian Book Company, sitting near Ken Hechler at Mimi Pickering’s presentation at The Cultural Center of her two films on the Buffalo Creek Disaster. Mike is a community activist as well as a book store owner.

Mike Sublette is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, running Frog Creek Books at the Charleston Farmers Market. He recently decided to change his name to The Appalachian Book Company. I only found out about the name change by reading Carolyn Harmon’s story about in The Putnam Standard. Here are some of their new WV/Appalachian films available exclusively at this one fine book/video/music store….

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Senator Byrd

Morgan Spurlock in Egypt during “Where in the world is Osama bin Laden?”

Senator Robert C. Byrd is one of the main speakers in a new film called “Body of War,” which I have not seen. A woman from Fairmont called me to let me know about it, and I hope to see it. The other new film starring a West Virginian is Morgan Spurlock’s fascinating, super-well done, often hilarious, “Where in the world is Osama Bin Ladin.” Unfortunately, only six people attended the Saturday 5:15 PM showing at the Park Place Cinema 11 in down. I am sure it will be gone soon…..

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