Monday, October 20, 2008

LNG Documentary Debuts Friday At The Liberty

Locally Produced LNG Documentary Debuts at Astoria International Film Festival

“Crossroads on the Columbia ... Oregon confronts America's energy future” co-produced by Astoria journalist and radio talk show host Donna Quinn and Eugene filmmaker Spence Palermo will be shown:

9:15 pm on Friday, October 24th

Liberty Theatre, 12th and Commercial

Part of the Astoria International Film Festival.

“Crossroads on the Columbia”, a 15 minute short film, chronicles a community's response to private energy investment companies' proposals to build controversial Liquified Natural Gas receiving terminals on the Lower Columbia River near the historic town of Astoria, Oregon.

The passion and power of grass roots activism set against the backdrop of the beauty, history and heritage of the Columbia Pacific region makes this a compelling story of America at the crossroads of fossil fuel dependence, renewable energy and decisions over who controls our land, air, water and economy.

“Although this film is still a work in progress, we thought it was important that a locally produced documentary on this important issue was included in Astoria’s film festival.

Through the visual power of the film medium, we are able to give the Columbia River a voice to tell the story of its rich history and culture to a wider audience,” said Quinn.

Quinn and Palermo are in the process of completing a half-hour version of their film for 2009 film festivals throughout the country.

“Energy independence is “the” issue of our time and has been a focal point of the recent presidential campaign”, says Palermo.

“We hope our films will make people think about their own personal contributions to the energy crisis in the United States and realize that they can make a positive difference by the way in which they live their private and professional lives.

Quinn notes that America has the technology, the ingenuity and the heart to become energy independent within 10 years but that “now it is truly a matter of political will.

”Palmero, of Eugene based film company, "Intercultural Images", has worked with National Geographic, NPR, and the History Channel as well as on other independent projects. One of his latest films with Portland Director Irene Taylor Brodsky, a documentary about polio in India, "The Final Inch", was just short-listed for the 2009 Academy Awards.

Quinn, of Quinnessential Productions, is the host of KMUN's "Talk of Our Towns", a contributor to Northwest Coast Magazine, and working on a book seriesA $5.00 admission at the door will include not only the 15 minute short film, “Crossroads...” but also the 9:30 pm showing of a French drama “Just Ahead of You”.

Since Joanne Rideout's event is the same night as Crossroads, (Friday, October 24) it's fortunate that her special "Ship Report" starts at 7:30 pm at the Maritime and ends at 9 pm so folks can go to the Liberty Theatre for the 9:15 showing of Crossroads. There's a great evening with two Columbia River community happenings on the same evening!

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