Orcas Island writer, broadcaster, pastor of the Community Church and KindlingsFest founder Dick Staub has announced the three Sundance films to be screened at KindlingsFest this summer.
The event, held from July 30 to Aug. 3, is a celebration of art and ideas where they intersect with the spiritual. Each summer Staub chooses three films from the Sundance Film Festival that address ideas related to the KindlingsFest theme, which this year is “Re-Imagining the Good Life.”
The films are shown in the evenings and then Dr. Jeff Keuss facilitates a discussion about them at lunch the next day. All films will be screened at Orcas Island Community Church.
“The Queen of Versailles” explores the relationship between the “American Dream” and the good life. It follows a billionaire couple as they begin construction on a mansion inspired by Versailles. During the next two years, their empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. It will be shown at 9:30 p.m. on July 31.
“Gideon’s Army” follows three young public defenders who are dedicated to working for the people society would rather forget. Long hours, low pay and staggering case loads are so common that even the most committed often give up. It will be shown on 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 1.
Srdan Golubovic’s film “Circles” opens with a horrific event in 1993 in the midst of war. Marko, a young Serbian soldier, returns on leave to his Bosnian town to visit his fiancé. He is sitting at a café in the town square with his best friend “the doctor” as a gang of belligerent soldiers begins mercilessly beating and kicking a Muslim shopkeeper because he is out of their brand of cigarettes. Marko steps in to intervene, but before we can see what happens, the film jumps ahead 12 years to examine the consequences of the act.
Based on a true event, the story employs a multifaceted, yet simple, structure that contemplates revenge, redemption, and reconciliation. It will be shown at 7:45 p.m. on Aug. 2.
The public is welcome to attend the entire event, or just to come see the films. For more information or to register, call 376-6422 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday), or visit http://www.thekindlings.com/kindlingsfest/.
