North Hill To Hold First Film Festival, April 9-10

Submitted by North Hill

A "big little town." A year in the life of a remarkable 100 year old man. A theme park bringing back memories. The relationship between art and healing. Films on these topics and more will be showcased this April in the first ever True North Documentary Film Series, proudly sponsored by .

The Film Festival will include free screenings of six different films over two days, April 9 and 10, on the campus of and at . Any local history buffs and film lovers from Needham, Newton and throughout Boston's MetroWest are invited. Each film will be introduced by its director or an expert in the related field, with discussion afterwards. The schedule and online box office can be found at www.TrueNorthEvolution.org/documentary.

“We are thrilled and excited to be presenting this first-ever documentary film festival,” said Paul Duffy, community development director for North Hill. “The topics of the various films are fascinating and important not only to the members of the North Hill senior living community but to the larger MetroWest community.”

The subjects of the documentary films to be presented range from Needham, Boston and Newton history to growing old yet staying young to art as healing.

North Hill was inspired to host the film festival after being approached to sponsor two of the movies: and "My Name Is Julius."

Caitrin Lynch, producer of "My Name is Julius," noted that North Hill’s support was critical for her project.

“Financially, it allowed us to complete the film. And their support provides encouragement that our work was of value to other people," Lynch said.

“This festival is a great opportunity for people in the community to see current films that are connected to the local areas and have implications beyond,” said Lynch, a Needham resident who and is an associate professor of anthropology at Olin College. “We can identify with them because of our local connections but also can begin to place the issues in a broader context.”

The True North Documentary Film Series will include screenings of six documentaries that spotlight local issues and perspectives on aging. The subjects of the documentary films to be presented range from Needham, Boston and Newton history to growing old yet staying young to art as healing. They include:

• "Big Little Town: The Story of Needham"—A look at Needham’s history, created as the finale to the town’s 300th anniversary celebration. Introduced by filmmakers Kathryn Dietz and Marc Mandel. 10 a.m. Monday, April 9, at Olin College, Milas Hall auditorium.
• "Return to Norumbega"—The rich history of Norumbega park, once one of New England’s prime theme parks. Introduced by filmmaker Joseph Hunter. 1 p.m. Monday, April 9, at Olin College, Academic Center, Room 126.
• "My Name Is Julius"—a profile of a Needham man who lived 100 years without ever slowing down. Introduced by filmmakers Titi Yu and Caitrin Lynch. 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Olin College, Academic Center, Room 126.
• "Art and Healing: Can Art Be Medicine?"—The experiences of painters, dancers, sculptors and others who have realized the power of the creative process. Introduced by co-director Deborah Obalil, the executive director of the Foundation for Art & Healing. 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Olin College, Academic Center, Room 126.
• "I Remember Better When I Paint"—How initiatives that bring people with Alzheimer's to art and creative workshops are producing remarkably positive results. Presented by Helen Meyerowitz, North Hill resident and artist acclaimed for her Alzheimers-inspired artwork. 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Olin College, Academic Center, Room 126.
• "Myrtle Baptist Church: Pillar of the Community"—The story of an African-American community that grew up in West Newton, MA after the Civil War and the church that served it. 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Andover Newton Theological School, Wilson Chapel.