Big Screen Dreams

Posted January 3, 2008, 12:51 pm in Movies by Growing Bolder

The best filmmakers in America may be living in The Villages, Florida. Their movies haven't hit the big screen, but these senior Scorseses are becoming serious stars, thanks to the work and dedication of Anita Weber.

Anita is an amateur film fan, but she's a professional public relations person when it comes to the productions people have made later in their lives. When Growing Bolder sat down to watch clips from some movies made by and with people living in The Villages, her energy and passion for the films and the filmmakers was contagious, and she told us all about her plans to showcase the movies in an upcoming awards show.

Anita Weber, member of The Independent Film Club of The Villages, and facilitator for the Independent Film Showcase.

"People put their heart and soul into this and you can tell it from their work, you really can."

Anita says she's not a trendsetter, but a facilitator to help talented people find a broader audience.

"They don't feel any different than they did 30 years ago, 40 years ago. You're still looking out from the same eyes, you're still having the same feelings about things. Young people don't realize, that doesn't change."

With Anita's work, that is changing, one film at a time.

To see the story Growing Bolder did on Anita, click here.
For more information on submitting a film, click here.

And to view some of the movies that have been submitted, click the play button on the videos below. The title and short description of the films are next to each movie.

"Cajones" 2007 Blue Sneaker Productions, 18 minutes A comedy documentary about an 85-year-old Fort Lauderdale man who discovers his talent for painting and becomes a prolific artist. He signs his paintings "Cajones," a Spanish word referring to a part of the male anatomy. The man limps and uses a cane, but then finds a miraculous cure -- lovely women and music. The cane disappears as he heads to the dance floor. An engaging and humorous tribute to all seniors.	"Cajones" 2007 Blue Sneaker Productions, 18 minutes
"Invention" 2006 Tuebor Films, 10 minutes	"Invention" 2006 Tuebor Films, 10 minutes A self-described inventor has developed something so unique that his emotions are getting the best of him. He is happy one minute; desperate and panicking the next. In a burst of generosity, he picks up an unkempt and devious drifter in the backwoods of Wisconsin. After sharing his story of ingenuity and fortune, he wonders if he's revealed too much of his great idea. The answer lies somewhere between genius and insanity. A clever and entertaining suspense tale that lets the viewer discover that things are not always what they seem.
"Lithium Springs" 2004 Ocean Entertainment, 78 minutes 450 years ago, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon was forced to leave a small chest of gold and jewels buried in a Florida Swamp. Offbeat explorer Evinrude Jones and his dachshund companion, Fred, stumble across the map and seek to find the long-lost treasure. The search is complicated by mystical woods people, greedy land developers, and the lure of romance. Beautifully filmed, whimsical story.	"Lithium Springs" 2004 Ocean Entertainment, 78 minutes
"My Testimony" 2006 Muliyan Productions, 60 minutes	"My Testimony" 2006 Muliyan Productions, 60 minutes A serious, true story, this documentary focuses on a critical witness in a high-profile murder case. Told in a direct, conversational style, we become Steve's confidante through his experience of the event, his decision to assume personal risk and come forward to testify, his humorous verbal fencing with the defense attorney, and the verdict. A powerful story that should be shown to every student driver.
"Reasonable Doubt: Horror in Hocking County" 1984 Ohio State University Production, 42 minutes A crime documentary, using actual footage of courtroom drama in the Satanic murder trial of Dale Johnston. Teenagers Annette Cooper and her fiancé, Todd Shulz, were brutally murdered in October 1982. Accusations of a Satanic cult and devil worship caught the attention of a nation. The jury must wade through conflicting theories and testimonies to ultimately decide the defendant's innocence or guilt.	"Reasonable Doubt: Horror in Hocking County" 1984 Ohio State University Production, 42 minutes
"White Collar" 2006 Four Guys Production, 35 minutes	"White Collar" 2006 Four Guys Production, 35 minutes An absorbing crime drama set on the streets of New York City. Two men have sought divergent paths in life -- Father Anthony, a priest, and Joe, his brother. Joe is engaged in shady dealings and criminal activities. Father Anthony loves Joe but fears for his safety, and tries to get him to go straight. But the criminal path is full of twists and turns, as is this edge-of-your-seat drama.
"A Day in Black and White" 1999 Box Drink Film Productions, 85 Minutes A clever and witty talkfest woven around topics of contemporary race relations in America. The story travels the varied racial terrain of New York City with a cast of characters who are as diverse as the city itself. Sincere, insightful and sometimes downright hilarious. Stars Harold Perrineau, known from the TV shows "Lost" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" as well as the movie "Romeo and Juliet."	"A Day in Black and White" 1999 Box Drink Film Productions, 85 Minutes
"Ghost Story" 2007 Sunken Meadow Films, 24 Minutes	"Ghost Story" 2007 Sunken Meadow Films, 24 Minutes In an abandoned psychiatric hospital, two former inmates -- a priest and a janitor -- meet to release the souls of unclaimed dead patients. Father Mike must match the numbers on the gravestones to the names on the discarded documents in the hospital's basement so that he may grant absolution, committing the souls to their eternal rest. Shot on location at the abandoned Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital, "Ghost Story" is a tribute to those who lived and died in the hospital's 167 year history.
"Love Thy Neighbor" 2006 Blue Sneaker Productions, 15 Minutes The story of one man's crusade to help the homeless. In 1991, Arnold Abbot created the Love Thy Neighbor Fund as a living tribute to his late wife Maureen. Set in the community of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this film captures the plight of the homeless in an affluent society. This private agency has not missed a feeding on the main beach in more than 16 years. This film will touch your heart and deepen your faith in your fellow man.	"Love Thy Neighbor" 2006 Blue Sneaker Productions, 15 Minutes
"Scenes From America" 2007 Muliyan Productions, 19 Minutes	"Scenes From America" 2007 Muliyan Productions, 19 Minutes A heartwarming and prideful collection of four patriotic shorts depicting scenes of hometown USA. In "Memorial Day," veterans reminisce of war experiences before a parade that proves their efforts were well worth it. "Fire Alarm" is a salute to fire trucks and the men and women who love them. Long Island's bravest march in a parade as neighbors turn out en masse to honor them. In "If it Has Wheels, I Fix it," you'll see the cars of yesteryear and meet the men that love them. And in "Basketball Reunion," the Kings Park High School Basketball Teams from 1950 and 2007 meet to share experiences and throw a few baskets.
"Plan Si" 2008 Villages High School Communication Academy, 24 Minutes Two students, eagerly awaiting their high school prom, find out they must have dates to attend the festivities. When all attempts to engage their female classmates fail, they solicit the services of a shady "date dealer" with absolutely hilarious results. Plan Si is the directorial debut of Kyle Cyr and Jason Hatfield using a single school camera and the videography concepts they learned in class.	"Plan Si" 2008 Villages High School Communication Academy, 24 Minutes
"The Sixth Section" 2003 Second Generation Media Productions, 27 Minutes	"The Sixth Section" 2003 Second Generation Media Productions, 27 Minutes A groundbreaking documentary that blends digital animation, home video, cinema verite and interviews to depict the transnational organizing of Mexican immigrants in New York. The men profiled are members of Grupo Union, one of many hometown associations formed by immigrants. This is the first documentary to tell their stories. Featured on PBS, Sundance.
"Stalin's Motorcycle" 2007 RKO Path-Etic News Production, 3 Minutes Special effects, WW2 archive film and familiar faces from the past blend together in an entertaining collage to create an unusual look, as two cut-ups ride a motorcycle on the streets of The Villages, Florida.	"Stalin's Motorcycle" 2007 RKO Path-Etic News Production, 3 Minutes
"What The Hell is Pickleball?" 2007 Blue Sneaker Productions, 16 Minutes	"What The Hell is Pickleball?" 2007 Blue Sneaker Productions, 16 Minutes What led a group of tennis players to put down their racquets in favor of a game with the unlikely name of pickleball? This sport was originally named after the family dog, Pickles, who would chase after an errant ball and hide it in the bushes -- thereby having people call "get Pickles' ball." Come visit with a group of guys in The Villages, Florida, and see why pickleball is their passion.
"Without Hope" 2007 Just a Spark Films, 35 Minutes Zack Montgomery had a good life, but in an instant it would change forever. Find out what it is like to be lost and alone on a hostile planet. In this sci-fi thriller, Montgomery learns that without hope, no one can survive.	"Without Hope" 2007 Just a Spark Films, 35 Minutes

Big Screen Dreams

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