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THE JULE COLLINS SMITH MUSEUM PRESENTS
THE 2008-2009 SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS
November’s Movie, The Meaning of Tea, Explores the Character of the Universally Beloved and Consumed Beverage
AUBURN, Ala. – The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is pleased to present the documentary film “The Meaning of Tea” on November 11, 2008 at 7:30 pm, as part of the Southern Arts Federation’s Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. Following the screening of his film, director and producer Scott Chamberlin-Hoyt will engage the audience in a discussion about the film and its meanings.
The Meaning of Tea is an engaging and whimsical documentary film that explores the romance and complexities surrounding tea, a universally beloved and widely consumed beverage. Along with offering poignant glimpses at the deeper character of tea, the film sheds light on its many varieties, whose value, use, practices, and traditions are sometimes misunderstood, neglected, and even threatened by today's marketplace. With its spectacular cinematography and indigenous music, this feature-length film spans the globe, unveiling many reasons behind tea's mysterious appeal. With an exciting mix of interviews, archival footage and music, the film explores the rituals and ceremonies of tea, as well as the ways it is celebrated and enjoyed by a myriad of unique cultures. Over the course of 74 minutes we travel teacup to teacup, through eight countries: from afternoon tea in the Midwestern United States to tea estates in India, from the traditional tea ceremony of Japan to modern tea life in Morocco.
To date the film has been accepted into eight film festivals world-wide, including the Southern Circuit Tour. Hoyt views the film as the beginning of a movement to reduce the stresses of our “amped-up high-tech world by encouraging people to have a cup of tea.”
The JCSM Museum Café is also excited to offer a delicious, specialty buffet before the film presentation of “Counting Backwards.” Make a night out of it and enjoy a fabulous dinner with your family and friends, created by the museum’s exclusive caterer Ursula Higgins, before enjoying the film. The buffet is just $15 per person plus gratuity and a cash bar is available to guests 21 and over. Dinner will be served from 6-7:30pm and the movie begins at 7:30pm. Reservations are requested but not required. Please call the Museum Café at 334-844-7016 to reserve your place or with questions.
The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is the nation’s only regional tour of independent filmmakers. It is a program of the Southern Arts Federation, a nonprofit regional arts organization making a positive difference in the arts throughout the South since 1975. The film series is presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Jule Collins Smith Museum. The films and filmmakers featured in the 2008-2009 Tour are:
- September 16, 2008 at 7:30pm
Ripe for Change with Jed Riffe, producer.
This documentary explores the intersection of food and politics in California over the last 30 years, highlighting debates over agriculture and sustainability that have profound implications for all of America.
- October 21, 2008 at 7:30pm
Counting Backwards with Aprill Winney, director.
A narrative feature about a man diagnosed with Leukemia, which tells the story of his inner struggle to change his life and embrace romance and passion in the time he has left to live.
- November 11, 2008 at 7:30pm
The Meaning of Tea with Scott Chamberlin-Hoyt, director and producer.
This beautiful film takes viewers on an exploratory journey around the globe to divine the true meaning of tea by looking into the role it plays in various cultural rituals.
- February 17, 2009 at 7:30pm
Member of the Club: A New Orleans Cinderella Story with Phoebe Ferguson, director.
This documentary tells the story of a debutante who has been groomed to be a New Orleans Mardi Gras Queen since she was an infant. Member of the Club uses the story of Marisa Mitchell to explore black social clubs of the South, as well as issues of race, class and the powerful desire of an American family to belong.
- March 24, 2009 at 7:30pm
All About Us with Christine Swanson, director and Michael Swanson, producer.
All About Us tells the story of Ed and Stacey Brown, two young African-American filmmakers struggling to make it in Hollywood. Their plan to succeed takes them to Mississippi, where they are confronted with a warmer reality that inspires the healing of family rifts.
- April 14, 2009 at 7:30pm
A Man Named Pearl with Scott Galloway, producer/director.
A Man Named Pearl is a documentary that imparts the inspiring tale of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar and shows what one person can achieve when he allows himself to share the full expression of his humanity.
CONTACT: Colleen Bourdeau, Marketing and Events Manager
334.844.7075
cbourdeau@auburn.edu
