Nathan Hellman, editor-in-chief of Portland State University's Daily Vanguard newspaper, has issued an apology for a harshly worded movie review they published on March 5th. The paper has also printed two letters from student groups and faculty members that objected to the review's content and called for the paper to take action to remedy the situation.

In the review, Stover E. Harger III doled out some stinging criticisms of Veer: A documentary film about bicycling culture. Here's a passage that many felt crossed the line (emphasis mine): (more...)

Portland State University's Daily Vanguard newspaper has published a very negative review of the new film, Veer: A documentary film about bicycling culture.

Vanguard staff writer Stover E. Harger III gave the film 1 star out of 5 and wrote that, "it's really awful". Harger also wrote that filmmaker Greg Fredette has created "a self-indulgent piece of fluff that plants its feet way too close to its subjects to be anything but clichéd and boring."

Reading his review, it's obvious that Mr. Harger III is no fan of some aspects of Portland's bike culture, or the people who are a part of it. Here's a snip from his review (emphasis mine): (more...)

You've heard about it, now tomorrow is your chance to see it for yourself in Portland.

(more...)

Veer movie poster.

Veer, a feature length documentary film that focuses on Portland bike culture, made it's world premiere at the Victoria Film Festival last week. The screening was the first time the film had been seen outside of Portland.

Victoria resident Lauren Warbeck was at the premiere. She wrote via email that so many people showed up that many were turned away and a second screening was added. Warbeck added that the crowd was energetic and that there was "a lot of interaction with the film". "People laughed a lot...They LOVED the zoobomb and the tallbikes. The whole theatre cheered and clapped when the bicycle bill got passed. Basically, the whole theatre was pretty amped and inspired." (more...)

This week at the Victoria Film Festival, film buffs from all over the world will get their first chance to see Veer, the feature-length documentary about Portland's bike culture.

Veer producers Greg Fredette and Jason Turner arrived in Victoria today and will attend a Q & A presentation about their movie after it screens on Wednesday. (more...)

Veer will be shown at the
Victoria Film Fest in February.

At the premiere of Veer last week, producer/director Greg Fredette shared some good news with the sold-out crowd; the film has been accepted for screening at the Victoria International Film Festival.

Veer is a feature-length documentary that focuses on several aspects of Portland's dynamic bike culture. (more...)

Tonight's premiere is sold out.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Veer, the full-length documentary that offers a glimpse into Portland's bike culture, will premiere tonight (7:30 pm) at the Hollywood Theater. The show is sold out (but I hear a few tickets will be made available at the door) and it's sure to be an exciting evening.

If you haven't heard about the film, check out my review or watch the trailer at VeerTheMovie.com.

So far, I've watched it with the filmmakers and the cast and crew and both times I've gotten a bit teary-eyed in parts. I love it, but being so close to the stories and the people in the film (not to mention I've been documenting this stuff for years now) my perspective is a bit strange. I'm very curious how the movie will come across to the general public (especially folks that aren't "in the bike community").

If you're one of the lucky ticket holders, would you be kind enough to share your thoughts on the film in the comments below?

Veer on the marquee
for the very first time.
(Photos � J. Maus)

The producer and filmmakers behind Veer, a feature documentary about the Portland bike scene (I shared my thoughts about it back in September), held a special premier screening for cast and crew at Hollywood Theater on Thursday night.

Many of the personalities that star in the film were on hand, including Bicycle Transportation Alliance executive director Scott Bricker, former Sprockette Lauren Pedersen, advocate and non-profit organizer Steven Kung, and Gabe Graff, formerly of the Community Cycling Center and now on the Safe Routes to Schools staff at PDOT. (more...)

Actor Matthew Modine will narrate
Veer, a documentary about bike
culture in Portland.
(Photo � Dimitrios Kambouris/
WireImage.com)

The creators of Veer, a feature-length documentary film that chronicles the people and culture behind bikes in Portland, announced today that they've picked Golden Globe-nominated actor Matthew Modine to be the film's narrator.

Modine is known for his role in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987) and more recently as a recurring guest star on the Showtime TV series Weeds.

Modine is also no stranger to bicycling. He made headlines back in September when 14,000 people showed up for the launch of his Bicycle For a Day campaign in New York City. (more...)

A few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on Veer, a new documentary about Portland's bike culture that's hitting the festival circuit this winter (where it will hopefully garner worldwide acclaim and score a major distribution deal!).

Now (thanks to Dan at CrankMyChain!), you can view the trailer to this very well-made film...
(more...)

Jason Turner (L) and Greg Fredette are
the duo behind Veer, a new documentary
feature film on Portland's bike culture.
(Photos © J. Maus)

With their just-completed documentary Veer, photographer Jason Turner and writer/director Greg Fredette offer a rare look at the struggles, triumphs, and all-out craziness of Portland's bike culture.

The duo spent an entire year embedded in the Portland bike scene to make the film. Last week I got a sneak peek at the "rough cut" and joined them for its first-ever showing on the big screen. (more...)