FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
217 Films
CONTACT: Tami Kennedy | 207-838-0816 | [email protected]
Minnesota premiere of new film highlights work of graphic novel pioneer: 217 Films’ documentary on Lynd Ward to screen at Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Minneapolis, Minnesota (November 15, 2012) – Lynd Ward is the father of the American graphic novel and one of the most prolific book illustrators and printmakers in the history of American art. The Minnesota premiere of 217 Films’ new documentary “O Brother Man: The Art and Life of Lynd Ward” will be held Friday, December 7 at 6:30pm. Co-sponsored by Minnesota Center for Book Arts, the screening will take place in the Open Book Target Performance Hall in downtown Minneapolis (1011 Washington Ave. S.). This screening will be introduced by filmmaker Michael Maglaras. Admission is free.
Featuring more than 150 wood engravings, drawings, and illustrations by this seminal American artist and storyteller, this 90-minute film brings the creativity of Ward to life and illustrates his mastery of the “novel without words.” “O Brother Man: The Art and Life of Lynd Ward” includes recently rediscovered footage of Ward at work filmed in 1937 as he completed his great masterpiece “Vertigo.” Ward’s work chronicles American life in the 20th-century, and demonstrates his deep personal commitment to social justice and the plight of the workingman during the depths of the Great Depression.
This film has been called “Magnificent” (Judith Regan, Sirius XM Radio) and “Stunning” (David Berona, author of “Wordless Books”). The Providence Public Library noted this is a “Mesmerizing film that appeals to a widely diverse audience of artists and illustrators, readers, American social history buffs, book collectors, and those who welcome an unexpected wave of nostalgia for the books of their youthful reading.”
Clips from the film can be viewed at this link.
More about Lynd Ward: Ward (1905-1985) illustrated more than 200 books and was among the foremost graphic book artists of 20th-century America. His books, prints, and artwork are held by major museums and libraries worldwide. His stories without words, such as “Song Without Words: A Book of Engravings on Wood” (1930), are precursors to the modern graphic novel and are acknowledged masterpieces of that genre. Between 1929 and 1937, Ward produced six of these books, where the storyline was told entirely through wood engravings. A special two-volume edition of these works was recently released by The Library of America.
More about 217 Films: 217 Films is an independent film company founded by Michael Maglaras. Terri Templeton is executive producer. The Sacramento Bee called Maglaras a filmmaker of “Bergman-like gravitas.” His work has been described as “virtuoso filmmaking” (National Gallery of Art), “alive and fresh” (Art New England) and “elegiac and insightful” (Naples Daily News).
More about Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA): As the largest and most comprehensive center of its kind in the nation, Minnesota Center for Book Arts celebrates the book as a vibrant contemporary art form that takes many shapes. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing and hand bookbinding, to experimental artmaking and self-publishing techniques, MCBA supports the limitless creative evolution of book arts through book arts workshops and programming for adults, youth, families, K-12 students and teachers. MCBA is located in the Open Book building in downtown Minneapolis, alongside literary non-profit partners Milkweed Editions and The Loft Literary Center.
WHAT: Minnesota premiere screening of 217 Films’ new documentary: “O Brother Man: The Art and Life of Lynd Ward.” Introduced by filmmaker Michael Maglaras.
WHEN: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 6:30pm
WHERE: Open Book Target Performance Hall1011 Washington Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55415
COST: Admission is free.
FMI: Tracy Doreen Dietzel | 612-215-2528 | [email protected]
www.two17films.com
www.mnbookarts.org
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