One of the most thrilling survival stories ever told was a real- life event that unfolded in the Antarctic in 1914 to 1916. The story of Sir Ernest Shackelton's failed expedition and his eventual success in saving all members of his team was written by New Hampshire author Caroline Alexander and re-created on film by New Hampshire filmmaker George Butler. Area residents had the opportunity this spring at Red River Theatres to meet both of these renowned talents, view the film, and ask questions. That evening, a piece of history became personal and inspiring.
The film, which had won a number of national awards including best documentary from the Chicago Film Critics Association, was only one of nine Butler films shown that weekend including Pumping Iron, Roving Mars, and Up the River. It was the first time all nine Butler films had ever been shown in one place.
The quality of the George Butler Film Festival and the theater's willingness to take it on is one reason why I love Red River, but it may not be yours. You might come to the theater because you like good movies and comfortable seats. You might like sipping wine or beer while watching a hit movie like “Slumdog Millionaire.” Or you might like seeing friends at the theater or eating the homemade cookies it sells. You might even have grown fond of the quirky parking garage that most of us loved to hate, but now find convenient. (I do!) The beauty of Red River is that it offers so much variety, it can appeal to everyone.
We all have plenty of choices for where to spend our volunteer hours in this community. I choose organizations that need my help right now but that also envision what could be. With the help of all of us, Red River Theatres is constantly reshaping what can be. Picnicking on grass on Main Street while watching a movie? Live birds in the theater? Orchestral compositions debuted with a film? Grits for the tasting? Costumes encouraged? Only one thing is predictable about Red River Theatres – it is a great environment in which to view excellent films. What the films will be, what discussions might follow, or where they will take you is up for grabs and limited only by our imagination. “Our imagination.” The “our” is a key word because Red River reflects what is on “our” minds.
Many of my favorite films and events at Red River were brought to the theater by people and groups interested in sharing their stories. I was thrilled to learn about the Bhutanese population with whom we live in this state. The discussion and film of the Guantanamo Bay prison and human rights violations was brought to our attention by those in our community who had fought to preserve those rights, and “Food, Inc.” opened to a packed theater and was the start of a strong collaboration with the Concord Cooperative Market around issues of the environment and health.
Red River is our community theater and ultimately directed by us. It is a meeting place, a place for conversation, a place to have a great time among friends, and a place to meet new people through a shared experience. In these days when technology seems to pull us apart, it is important to have a place that pulls us together. Volunteering at Red River is one way that I invest in this spirit of community, the rewards of which are immeasurable for us all.
