Camille Tucker from Reel Spirituality interviews Ava DuVernay, director of Middle of Nowhere and winner of the US Directing Award: Dramatic. (From Sundance program guide): What happens when love takes you places you never thought you would go? When her husband, Derek, is sentenced to eight years in a California prison, Ruby drops out of medical school to maintain her marriage and focus on ensuring Derek’s survival in his violent new environment. Driven by love, loyalty, and hope, Ruby learns to sustain the shame, separation, guilt, and grief that a prison wife must bear. Her new life challenges her to the very core of her identity, and her turbulent path propels her in new, often frightening directions of self-discovery.
(Summary from website): SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS marks acclaimed actor Mark Ruffalo’s first foray into directing. This inspired and unusual film tells the story of Dean O’Dwyer (Christopher Thornton), also known as “Delicious D,” an up-and-coming DJ on the underground music scene in Los Angeles. When a motorcycle accident leaves Dean paralyzed, he abandons his turntables for a wheelchair as his once promising career disappears before his eyes. Forced to live out of his car on skid row, Dean begins his descent into depression when he meets Father Joe Roselli (Mark Ruffalo), a passionate young priest. Father Joe introduces Dean to the world of faith-healing, an unlikely way for him to begin his quest to walk again. He soon discovers that he possesses the otherworldly power to heal people, but in an odd twist of fate, he is utterly unable to heal himself. Despite Father Joe’s warnings, Dean angrily decides to use his newfound gift for fame and fortune. He joins a rock band led by charismatic front man The Stain (Orlando Bloom) with bassist Ariel (Juliette Lewis), and manager Nina Hogue (Laura Linney). But his newfound notoriety is unable to cure the hurt that encompasses his life. To find true healing, Dean must ultimately confront his worst demons and come to terms with his own humanity. SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS is an edgy rock-and-roll spiritual journey that explores the lasting effects of tragedy, the search for meaning, and the ultimate redemptive power of compassion.
Windrider co-founder and host Craig Detweiler interviews The Civil Wars about their new break-out album Barton Hollow (This interview was taped at Sundance the week before Barton Hollow’s release!) The Civil Wars is a duo comprised of Joy Williams and Alabaman, John Paul White. And yes, they were heard singing their song Poison & Wine on Grey’s Anatomy!
Windrider co-founder and host Craig Detweiler interviews the director, Alrick Brown, co-producer Deatra Harris and Lori Macklin, a friend of the production of Kinyarwanda, a remarkable true story of the Mufti of Rwanda, the most respected Muslim leader in the country, who in the 1994 turmoil issued a fatwa forbidding Muslims from participating in the killing of the Tutsi. As the country became a slaughterhouse, mosques became places of refuge where Muslims and Christians, Hutus and Tutsis came together to protect each other.
Windrider co-founder and host Craig Detweiler interviews Carolyn S. Briggs, author of This Dark World: A Memoir of Salvation Found and Lost, the autobiography on which the film, Higher Ground is based. With Tim Metcalfe, Carolyn Briggs also wrote the screenplay for this amazing memoir of one woman’s journey in and out of the Jesus movement.
Host Dick Staub leads a discussion on “everything you want to know about film festivals bit were afraid to ask,” with Jeff Sparks, founder of the Heartland Film Festival; emerging filmmaker Josh Weigel, whose film The Butterfly Circus won awards for best short film and audience favorite at Heartland 2010; Ralph Winter, veteran Hollywood filmmaker and John Priddy, co-founder of the Windrider Forum.
Host Dick Staub discusses a film the NYT describes as “A big, warm hug of feel-better entertainment and a community salve.” The film tells the story of New York-based actor James Lecesne, choreographer Gerry McIntyre and musical director Randy Redd Who embark on a journey to New Orleans to see how they can help in the aftermath of Katrina. The artists quickly discover St. Mark’s Community Center at the edge of the historic French Quarter. It had been hit hard and forced to close, leaving a tremendous hole in the neighborhood’s heart. Why not mount a Broadway production with local teenage talent a raise money for the community? Writer/Director Hilla Medalia and Producers John and Ed Priddy are our guests as we discuss this thought-provoking, heart-warming story.
Dick Staub interviews Ralph Winter, a Hollywood film producer who has produced blockbuster movies such as the X-Men, Fantastic Four and Star Trek series. Films on his resume, stretching back to 1982, have earned more than four billion dollars at the box office worldwide. Winter is a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Dry Land features a tight, well-written script and outstanding performances as it tells the heartfelt story of a veteran and his family and friends, all of whom are dealing with unforeseen changes in his life when he returns home from the Iraqi war.After seeing the film Hollywood news writer Bob Fischer said, Put “The Dry Land” on your must see list if you are going to be at Sundance. Host Craig Detweiler interviews Producer Heather Rae, writer/Director Ryan Piers Williams and cast members Ryan O’Nan and Jason Ritter.
Host Craig Detweiler interviews writer, Director Thabo Wolfaardt (UCLA) and Producer Melanie Blair about their film Joburg, the story of a young newspaper vendor who struggles to care for his ailing brother. A pregnant woman discovers a terrible secret about her fiancé. At the height of their desperation, these two worlds collide in a life-altering event. Winner of the Director’s Choice Award at Angelus Film Festival.
