Luis Argeo guest of Clarksburg Pare Lorentz Film Festival
Ken Hechler meets Luis Argeo the Saturday of his North American premiere of “AsturianUS,” outside Ken’s apartment. The Cultural Center is in back of them, on Greenbrier St.
Luis Argeo is a Spanish-born filmmaker/author who came to WV several years ago and made his film, “AsturianUS,” about people from the northern province of Spain, Asturias, coming to the Clarksburg area in the early part of the 20th century. I worked with him on the film, and programmed the North American premiere after it had its world premiere in Madrid. The fall Goldenseal features a story by Mr. Argeo about his research along with three other articles about the Spanish in West Virginia. He will be flying in from Madrid to introduce his film on December 11th at 7 PM open the Clarksburg Pare Lorentz Film Festival.
Other new WV documentaries include Bob Wilkinson’s newest film, “Adopt a Jesus.”
This last year he spent a lot of time in the Bay area working on a travel book about the Bay area. I introduced him to my friend Les Blank who lives there, in El Cerrito. Les is a rather silent fellow and I guess did not have much to tell him about the amazing world of the Bay area. ( Luis also told me about the new film, “A Mosque in Morgantown,” that won top honors at the Asian-American Film Festival going on in San Francisco when he was there. It was shown on national PBS last June.)
He will be shooting is next film in Fort Worth during Thanksgiving. I look forward to seeing the film. Here is a preview clip. I also look forward to reading his new book on the Bay area. He has written many Spanish-language travel books - I guess that is how he makes a living.
I am very excited that the home down of Pare Lorentz will be taking part in the IDA program that provides not only Lorentz’ films for free but several of the winners of the prestigious Pare Lorentz Award, won last year by a WV-made film, “Burning the Future - Coal in America.” I personally knew Mr. Lorentz and showed two of his films at the 50th anniversary of the WV State Capitol in 1982. I also suggested to Mr. Drennen that the award in his name be put at the IDA, then lead by a long-time friend, Betsey McLane. I have been i n touch with Pare Lorentz Jr. who is himself a filmmaker, now retired in the South.
A new edition of Lorentz’ two most famous films, released by Naxos, an opera company. Famous music scores were redone for this great release all WV libraries should own.
