Thirteen years ago this week, The Elders premiered at IFFBoston.
That screening meant a great deal to me then, and even more in retrospect. The festival was incredibly good to the film and to me personally. Adam Roffman took a chance on a first-time filmmaker’s feature because he believed in the work. We screened in the festival’s largest venue at the Somerville Theatre, and that screening led to three more collaborations with Adam down the line: Spearhunter, The Collection, and All the Presidents’ Heads.
IFFBoston was also where I was introduced to Rebecca Richman Cohen, which opened the door to our work together on numerous short films, as well as the feature documentary Weed & Wine.
Around that same time, Peter Keough wrote a thoughtful Boston Globe piece on the festival that mentioned The Elders, and later profiled me for the paper. In many ways, the spring of 2013 will probably remain the highlight of my career, and I’m very okay with that.
The truth is, The Elders has had a longer life than I ever could have expected. Its themes have stayed with me throughout my career, and I doubt I’ll make another film that resonates with as many people, for as long, as this one has. It’s the work I’m asked to screen most often. It’s been translated, shown in remote places, in classrooms, in old cinemas, in homes, and on phones, to people from all walks of life. To watch audiences laugh, cry, and respond in all the right places is a filmmaker’s dream.
I recently moved the film to YouTube, where it’s now free to watch. With IFFBoston running this week, it felt like a good moment to share it again.
Thanks to IFFBoston for helping bring it to a wider audience. The festival is running this week, so if you’re in the Boston area, get out there and support independent cinema.
#documentaryfilm #independentcinema #iffboston2013 #theeldersfilm
Hard to believe it’s been two years since we were in Prague filming. Those are memories I’ll cherish forever.
Since we returned, things have not unfolded the way I expected for the film, particularly around funding. There have been plenty of ups and downs, false starts, and reboots, and parts of that story are not mine to tell publicly. 🤬
What I can say is that it’s been a difficult stretch, especially knowing how many people have given their support, talents, and creative energy to this film and to the hope of what it might become. At times, it’s been very (very) tempting to give up.
But it’s also been a reminder that documentaries have their own timelines. Sometimes, frustratingly and painfully, they need time and distance.
I still believe this film will find its way to screens large and small. For now, I’m trying to trust the slowness of the process, be patient while the story ripens, and hope I don’t miss the harvest.
link in bio #mentalhealth #christinadaymartinson #supportthearts #documentary #asecondmovementfilm
This kid 🥹 a full morning of music (every Saturday), a quick lunch, and then off to @bostonballet Nutcracker for a most of the afternoon rehearsal, then he bounded in to Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory for a performance for @nec_prep 75th anniversary.
Such a hardworking, talented, and flexible human. Lots to learn from you kiddo xox
And … he’s off … and we felt all the feels on our quiet drive back to Boston. 🥹🥺😢😭😔🥹🙏🏼❤️🇨🇦
Be good to him McGill, and Montréal … he’s one of the good ones. Bitter sweet, but we’re so excited to see where this next chapter takes him.
You got this buddy. @mcgill2029_@mcgillu
A week in the Berkshires was good for the soul … in this mad, mad world. Fishing, Tanglewood, glamping, music, food, spikeball, friends, drink, music, music, music, music
Also… it was so hot. 90+ degrees and 80+humidity every day. #tanglewood #sunstroke #wtf @bostonsymphony
#yoyoma #brooklynrider #summer #music
Asher and I made a last minute trip to Arizona to see my mom and dad. Got our annual Americana shot in the arm, explored the desert near their property, found Chaco and Anasazi pottery on our hikes, played with Lucy, and (not pictured) played a lot of cards.
About last night …. Congrats Asher!! The first of many milestones and markers on your journey. Be kind to yourself as you take this next big leap. xoxox
Look!! It’s Christina on the big digital mural over the pike (I-90 for you non Mass. folks)! Our Boston Public Radio appearance last Friday was fun, Christina played, we talked about the film, and then it was over. It was also a good reminder (for me) to be less wordy 🤦🏼♂️. Sigh.
That frame grab was from our time in the Czech Republic last year, filming Christina play on a very cold morning in a medieval castle on a cliff above the Elbe River. Glad to see it up on that mural, and for who knows how many eyeballs to catch a glimpse of what we’re working on. (Thanks Haldan for grabbing photos of it!!)
@jonnyb41@strauss625@pbrysh #djim @kirsche_ontop
So very, very proud of this kid, and yes all the parenting cliches apply.
Bravo Asher, on achieving your dream of attending McGill. (He’s been saying it since he was ~10, that not only would he go to university in Canada, he’d go to school in Montreal so he could study at McGill).
Spread those wings wide, buddy, and don’t fight the wind too hard.
