Sweet Land Writer/Director Ali Selim joins us for an insightful, enjoyable evening. Up Next: Documentary "Green Green Water" Aug. 2.

We were honored on Saturday to be joined by Writer/Director, Ali Selim, and Executive Producer Tom Lieberman for a pre-show discussion of this lovely movie.  Ali, who had just returned from Los Angeles to join us, brought along the film's C0-Producer and, as Ali joked, "the woman I'm presently sleeping with" (aka his wife) to tell us what it took to get this special film made.

As Mr. Lieberman explained, making a movie--any movie--is "a long hard slog".  But thanks to many years of persistence and a simple, but powerful story that Ali was committed to getting made, "Sweet Land" eventually found it's way to 300 theaters nationwide and is now available on DVD. (If you didn't get to join us Saturday, don't hesitate to help the cause of these local filmmakers and pick up your own copy today!)

Ali, who said he would really like "in three films to be making 'Iron Man'" was candid about the desire not to be "pigeon-holed" about the type of film maker he is, admitting also that he can't say with certainty he will make another film.  (Obviously, those in attendance would love to see what he might create next.)  Thank you, Ali & Tom for giving us your time!

COMING NEXT FOR LAWNCHAIR THEATER:

"Green Green Water"  A documentary by Dawn Mikkelson

DATE: August 2, 2008

MINGLE TIME: 7:30pm

MOVIE TIME: 9pm

CONVERSATION WITH DAWN: 10:15pm

Simone Ahuja leads Lawnchair Theater in a fascinating discussion of contemporary India.

After a satisfying meal from Taste of India, a gathering of 30 enrapt guests were informed and entertained by the captivating Ms. Ahuja.  Between segments from her Indique series, she answered questions about Bollywood, India's booming wine industry and the fascinating snakeboat races of southern India's state of Kerala.  Also in attendance were Simone's husband, Hari, and her father, Surendra.  

Coming up next: "Sweet Land" Reunion, July 26

Join Director Ali Selim, Executive Producer, Tom Lieberman and as many cast and crew of this beautiful movie who choose to show up.  So far sending their RSVP's: Patrick Coyle and Barbara Kingsley.

Meet & Mingle: 7pm

Ali Introduces Screening: 9pm

Q & A: 10:30-11pm

Film maker & host Simone Ahuja to join us on July 19. RSVP requested!

(Click on the above photo to see it large enough to read the text.)

India is a country undergoing phenomenal growth and seismic changes in their way of life--and our special guest, Simone  Ahuja, has made it her mission to share the stories of contemporary India with the world.  Fortunately for us, she'll be joining us July 19th sharing a couple of episodes of her half-hour news magazine show, Indique, and answering questions from our guests.

As a special component of this evening, we'll be catering in some fine Indian cuisine for you to sample.  For that reason, we need an RSVP by July 12 for those who plan to join us July 19.  Email lawnchairtheater(at)mac(dot)com if you plan to attend.  You CAN attend without an RSVP, but if you do attend without telling us you're coming, bring a drool cup because you will be watching others eat some very tasty food. :-)

Mingle time: 7:30pm

Introduction with Simone: Around 8:45pm

Questions and answers: between episodes of her half hour shows

We are very excited about this event and are grateful for Ms. Ahuja's willingness to join us.  We hope to see you there!

Shows you won't want to miss--mark your calendar now!

July 5-"Once"  Eight minutes into our first attempt to air this fine film (June 14), we got rained out AND lost power.  Hopefully, the second time will be a charm.  If you're having a "stay-cation" 4th of July holiday, please join us.  We'll have our own small "Class C" fireworks display after the movie.  Oh...and don't forget bug spray.  Our moist spring has made this a more typical summer, so there are a few of those nasty guys around (even though we fog before our events).

July 19-Stories of Contemporary India with Filmmaker Simone Ahuja. Gary, Pam and our guests will celebrate the last day of Gary's 40's with Indian cuisine and a special guest appearance by talented TV Host Ms. Ahuja.  She talk about and share a couple of her magazine-style TV shows, "Indique", including one show that takes us behind the scenes at the making of a Bollywood movie.  Learn more about Ms. Ahuja and her work here.

July 26-"Sweet Land" with a Q & A with Director Ali Selim, Producer Tom Lieberman and members of the film's cast and crew. We have high hopes for this being a very memorable evening--much like the night we had last summer with Tim Russell and Sue Scott from A Prairie Home Companion.  Right now, we're trying to track down as many cast members and crew as we can to make this event a real "family reunion" for fans of this gorgeous movie.

August 2-"Green Green Water" with documentarian & TV reporter, Dawn Mikkelson.  Ms. Mikkelson is an extremely talented and accomplished local filmmaker who turns her lens on social injustice--this time, the native Cree Nation of Manitoba who've seen their homeland flooded and people displaced in the name of cheaper hydroelectric power for states like Minnesota.  A serious subject to be sure, but handled deftly and with great sensitivity by Ms. Mikkelson.  On August 2, you'll get to meet Dawn, hear about the making of her film and find out her latest project.

Hail Barrage Slams Lawnchair Theater

No, the picture above is not of snow.  But "shovelable" hail fell on the Twin Cities, and our own outdoor movie venue, Saturday chasing off a warm sunny day and scaring away all but two of our patrons, the very reliable Tom & Kate.   So yes, "Lars and the Real Girl" was shown on Saturday night...only with just four of us, the party went inside where it was warm and dry. 

Mark Your Calendar for LCT 2008

It's a busy year for Lawnchair Theater and to make it easy for you to attend, we're posting as many dates in advance as we can.  Here's what's on the calendar so far:

May 31 "Lars and the Real Girl" A well-reviewed, but largely ignored bittersweet comedy from 2007.  To visit the official website for this movie, go here.

June 7 Movie TBD

June 14 "Once" A beautiful movie.  A beautiful soundtrack.  St. Paul Pioneer Press critic, Chris Hewitt, told me he thought it was a "nearly perfect" film.  Come see for yourself at the "Once" website.

July 19 Special Presentation: Contemporary India with Filmmaker/Host Simone Ahuja.  Ms. Ahuja will be on hand to answer questions and share some of the television programming her company, Blood Orange Media, has created to promote and educate about contemporary life in South Asia.  To learn more, go to blood-orange.com.

July 26 "Sweetland" Reunion. Director Ali Selim and Executive Producer Tom Lieberman will be here to answer questions about this lush and tender movie, which was 16 years in the making.  We also hope (fingers crossed) to have as many of the local cast and crew in attendance as possible, so you can rub elbows with the stars.  Stay tuned! And while you wait, watch the movie trailer here.

August 2 "Green Green Water" Local documentarian and former TV news reporter Dawn Mikkelson will join us to share her powerful story about the rarely talked about downside of Canada's "green" hydroelectric power.  To learn more, go here.

There will be other family friendly movies in later August (and possibly last minute offerings throughout the summer and fall), but right now, this is what our 14th season is looking like.

If you have any questions or comments, just click on the word "Comments" below.  Thanks for visiting!

First Lawnchair Theater Test Drive: "Juno", May 23, 2008!

It's been a cool, wet spring so far, but now that we've finally got a dry, warmish night coming up, we're going to get the party started with our first short-notice "test drive" of the outdoor theater.

Movie: "Juno" (rated PG-13)

Date: Friday, May 23, 2008

Mingle Time: 7:30pm

Movie Time: 9ish

It's going to get into the 50's by movie's end, so dress warmly.  But leave the mosquito repellent at home.  You won't need it this week!

To get the answer to all of your Lawnchair Theater questions, read the "Primer" directly below this entry.  See you tonight!