Alamo Drafthouse Presents The Garden [Director in Attendance]

The Garden
July 12, 13 & 14
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar (1120 S. Lamar)
$8.75, 7pm
[info] | [tickets]

Part legal thriller, part true-life human drama, Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s The Garden has received more than a few accolades since its release last year and now Austinites have a chance to see it. This Academy Award nominated documentary follows the plight of a few Los Angeles citizens as they fight to save their 14-acre public garden from the bulldozers of wealthy land developers, and judging from the trailer, a compelling struggle most definitely ensues.

Sprung from the few seeds of hope that managed to survive the 1992 L.A. riots, the film’s titular garden began as a distraction for a few disenchanted citizens and grew into an emblem of neighborly cooperation, culinary celebration and community betterment. Outrageously but somehow inevitably, this inner-city green space (and the downtrodden individuals who care for it) become endangered by greed and insensitivity, and Hamilton Kennedy was there to capture it all on film.

The development of a successful food-producing oasis amidst the gritty urban landscape of South Central Los Angeles makes for a fascinating story in itself, but The Garden encompasses so much more. Secret political dealings, racial tension and a battle that advances to City Hall and beyond make this doc a must-see for all you cinema verite junkies out there. Bonus: Hamilton Kennedy will be in attendance at the Sunday and Monday night screenings, so get your tickets now.

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By cmoore in Arts & Entertainment on July 9, 2009 10:45 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Ryan

I agree with your sentiment, too, Seth. I guess the difference is that I enjoy watching movies at home more than the movie theater. Plus, how much of my $8.50 goes to the director? I'm guessing I could paypal $1 and it would go farther than a movie ticket. Of course there are the intangibles of # of tickets sold to encourage other screenings, etc. Ah the travails of a (even slightly) conscious consumer.

seth

Oh, and it also tells the millionaires running the Alamo that they can book independent film and not go broke because people will show up just like they do for all the Hollywood bullshit they typically run (Transformers 2).

Seth

seth

I am one of those guys who reads books purchased exclusively at used book stores, so I can appreciate your thriftiness. In the case of a movie like this, though, the director has gone into debt in order to bring this story to light. Seeing the movie at the Alamo helps the director more than renting the video or watching a stream.

Seth

Ryan

I'm interested, but I'm betting this will be on netflix watch instantly in a few months.

seth

The Garden is an excellent doc. Well worth watching one of the remaining screenings at the Alamo. Sunday night screening was not sold out and a had plenty of available seats. Don't waste your money ordering tickets online.

Seth