This Saturday, the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria will be screening “The First Season” (check out my previous post about it, including the Trailer), a new documentary produced and directed by Rudd Simmons — better known for Producer titles on Boardwalk Empire, multiple Wes Anderson Films, The Road, and much more. Simmons was friends with the family before shooting began, and spent five years following them and assembling materials before filming began:

SCREENING & LIVE EVENT 

The First Season with director Rudd Simmons in person

Part of Rural Route Film Festival 

Saturday, August 4, 5:00 p.m.

Dir. Rudd Simmons. 2012, 83 mins. Digital. United States. New York Premiere. Paul and Phyllis van Amburgh, embracing the traditional values essential to life on a small farm (honest toil, thrift, and dedication to family), take their life savings and buy a defunct dairy. With three children, plus a fourth on the way, and armed only with their principles and determination, they fight to defy the odds and become full-time farmers. Simmons (producer of The Royal Tenenbaums) makes his directorial debut with this documentary, as he took to the country to follow the couple through their first year.

Preceded by Old Lady (Dir. Robert Gardner, 1958, 4 mins.), about a woman in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia and Headwaters: Phebel and Flora (Prod. Headwaters Television/Appalshop. 1982, 6mins.), rare community television footage of local bluegrass musicians at home. 

More info and tickets here.