Friday, July 30, 2010
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| 10/8/2008 5:10:00 PM |
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Research librarian promotes films with state ties
Carolyn Harmon
Staff Writer
CHARLESTON - Steve Fesenmaier's wife asked him why he spends so much time promoting West Virginia filmmakers.
"Because nobody else does," Fesenmaier said, "which is a shame."
Fesenmaier, of Charleston, the first and only Research Librarian in the Library Development Division of the West Virginia Library Commission (WVLC), is celebrating his 30th year in the business. He tries to instill in people the desire to go out and see films produced by local filmmakers, or with West Virginia ties, but consistently the numbers are very low, oftentimes too low to cover the expenses of the screenings at local venues.
For interested film buffs, a list of 49 films with state ties that Fesenmaier has compiled is available online at www.wvla.org/springfling/index.html.
One reason viewing these films is important, is that it provides more research to add to the state's history, as was the case of J.D. Waggoner, Director of the WVLC.
While watching the "Widen Film Project," a movie, directed by Charleston filmmaker Kelley Thompson, interviewing Clay Countians about their memories, Waggoner discovered that one of his family members was involved in the story of the 1952 Widen Strike.
"And he said, 'You need to talk to one of my relatives," Fesenmaier said. "If he didn't read my report on the film, I'm sure we would never have found him."
A lady from Logan County recently discovered that her father was in another movie, called "Mountain People," and called the WVLC to see about getting a copy. Fesenmaier's concern is that once the movies come out, they are shown once or twice, and then shelved somewhere, robbing future generations of their history.
"People have to realize that films are just like books and they go out of print," he said. "If you don't get a copy when they come out, then you don't get a copy."
One such film, "Ken Hechler - In Pursuit of Justice," by filmmakers Russ Barbour and Chip Hitchcock, debuted in April. It celebrates the life and political career of Hechler, the oldest living presidential speech writer. Fesenmaier, Hechler's friend, was involved as researcher for the film and said he was honored to assist the greatest presidential researcher for Adlai Stevenson and Harry S. Truman.
Other movies of interest are "Back to the Bottle," by West Virginia filmmaker, Francesca Karle, where she went to the streets of Huntington to reveal alcoholism, through the life of a street person. "Burning the Future: Coal in America," by film director, David Novack, examines the conflict between the coal industry and West Virginia residents. The film features residents of West Virginia, including Boone County's Maria Gunnoe, who went to the United Nations to tell their stories and then shout out at Times Square, "Please! Would someone turn down the lights?" It has been shown commercially both in New York and Los Angeles, and on the Sundance channel.
"Even the Heavens Weep," was aired on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, in 1985, and is the story of Blair Mountain, in 1921. This film narrates the long and bloody history of coal in Appalachia. "Sixteen to Life," directed by Huntington native, Mandy Sherwood, is about two teenage girls dealing with family and peer pressures.
Again, these are just a few of many films available through the WVLC.
For more information, contact Fesenmaier at 304-558-3978, ext. 2015.
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