CIFF 38 Review: The Winding Stream
I usually see a lot of documentaries at the Cleveland International Film Festival, and with nine on my schedule this year is no exception. The thing about documentaries is that a good filmmaker can take a topic that you have no interest in and make it utterly enthralling. For instance, who would have ever guessed that a film about video game high scores would lead to the utterly enthralling The King of Kong? Unfortunately, it cuts both ways. A topic that should be completely fascinating can be turned into a lame insipid documentary when handled poorly. It was therefore with some trepidation that I saw a documentary about The Carter Family, the single most influential family in country music history (and arguably American music history). To be my complete lack of surprise, I was joined by three station members - WadeT, BethanyK and EmmaS.
The Winding Stream
I'm pleased to state that this film succeeded in taking a topic that was very interesting to me and making a solid documentary. I already knew the basics about the Carter Family, who mainstream film viewers may recall as supporting characters in the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line. That film focused on Johnny and his wife June Carter Cash, but the family was already very famous well before that time thanks to The Carter Family and the second generation act The Carter Sisters.
Director Beth Harrington (ex-Modern Lovers) started work on the The Winding Stream in 2003, but due to problems financing it she only finished it this year. On the plus side, her start date in 2003 let her interview many members of the family who have since passed on, most notably Johnny Cash himself and Janette Carter, who founded the Carter Family Fold. The music of the Carter/Cash clan permeates the entire movie and is helped along with additional tracks from musicians like John Prine and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Even most of the interviews with family members are placed over a music bed. Archival footage and clever title cards move the history along as well.
Beth Harrington did a Q&A after the film, and told one great story that is worth repeating. Someone asked her what it was like to interview Johnny Cash. She said that they set up to their gear in Johnny's living room, and then a phone-booth shaped elevator dropped out of the ceiling. Johnny did the interview, and then said "Well, I'm going to take the Popemobile here back on up", gesturing at the elevator. As the elevator started to rise, Beth crossed herself. Her last sight of Johnny Cash was of him throwing his head back and laughing uproariously as the elevator rose into the ceiling. He died a few weeks later.
I'm happy to rate this film as 'GOOD'. I thought about putting it to 'EXCELLENT', but it wasn't quite at the awe inspiring level of Antarctica: A Year on the Ice.
The Winding Stream
I'm pleased to state that this film succeeded in taking a topic that was very interesting to me and making a solid documentary. I already knew the basics about the Carter Family, who mainstream film viewers may recall as supporting characters in the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line. That film focused on Johnny and his wife June Carter Cash, but the family was already very famous well before that time thanks to The Carter Family and the second generation act The Carter Sisters.
Director Beth Harrington (ex-Modern Lovers) started work on the The Winding Stream in 2003, but due to problems financing it she only finished it this year. On the plus side, her start date in 2003 let her interview many members of the family who have since passed on, most notably Johnny Cash himself and Janette Carter, who founded the Carter Family Fold. The music of the Carter/Cash clan permeates the entire movie and is helped along with additional tracks from musicians like John Prine and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Even most of the interviews with family members are placed over a music bed. Archival footage and clever title cards move the history along as well.
Beth Harrington did a Q&A after the film, and told one great story that is worth repeating. Someone asked her what it was like to interview Johnny Cash. She said that they set up to their gear in Johnny's living room, and then a phone-booth shaped elevator dropped out of the ceiling. Johnny did the interview, and then said "Well, I'm going to take the Popemobile here back on up", gesturing at the elevator. As the elevator started to rise, Beth crossed herself. Her last sight of Johnny Cash was of him throwing his head back and laughing uproariously as the elevator rose into the ceiling. He died a few weeks later.
I'm happy to rate this film as 'GOOD'. I thought about putting it to 'EXCELLENT', but it wasn't quite at the awe inspiring level of Antarctica: A Year on the Ice.