A documentary that follows the journey of local historian Michael Zahs and some of the world’s oldest films once owned by Frank and Indiana Brinton recently returned from Alaska with awards in tow.
Since it’s premiere at Washington’s State Theatre in September, Saving Brinton has visited many states from New York to Texas to Alaska. At the Anchorage International Film Festival Saving Brinton won best documentary, as well as the audience choice award, an impressive feat as it was screened just once while some others were shown up to three times.
Zahs says of the 39 showings he’s been at, 36 have had either former students or parents of former students in the audience. Zahs says the film pulls at people’s roots, “A lot of documentaries are very serious, very important, very socially responsible, our’s is some of that, but it’s also just kind of fun. And I think that is something that people, especially the way some of the things are happening in the world, they just want to come out of something and feel good, and this kind of does. And it identifies so many people back to small towns, to the Midwest, and that’s a real strong pull.”
There will be one more screening of Saving Brinton in Washington. On December 26th it will be shown at the Washington Community Center, tickets are now available. Find the full Washington Page program with Zahs here.