(Photo © J. Maus)
The eighth annual Bicycle Film Festival (not to be confused with the Portland-grown Filmed by Bike fest) is set to return to Portland next week. On the schedule are two full nights of bike-inspired films (five programs total) that will show at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave) on December 12th and 13th.
Last year, I reported that the turnout for this fest was a bit depressing. For some reason, Portlanders didn’t exactly welcome the fest with open arms (or at least the smallish crowds made it seem that way).
From my quick perusal of the films on the schedule this year, it looks like this is going to be a fantastic offering of cinematic bike love that is definitely worth checking out. In particular is a film about a nearly-blind downhill mountain bike racer (more info and watch trailer below).
Portland event organizer Zoe Shack sent along the following list of movies you’ll see at the Portland showings…
Standing Start
UK 2007 | DV 12min.
Dir. Adrian McDowall and Finlay Pretsell
Standing Start offers insight into Olympian and World Champion Track Sprinter Craig MacLean, his unflinching focus and preparation.
Road to Roubaix
USA 2008 | Video 75min.
Dir. David Deal and David Cooper
The film features the most difficult and prestigious one-day cycling race in the world: Paris-Roubaix. First held in 1896, the race is a grueling contest over 160 miles of cobbled farm roads in Northern France with a finish in the historic Roubaix velodrome.
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The Way Bobby Sees It
USA 2008 | DV 57min.
Dir. Jason Watkins, Wendy Todd
A gripping story about a blind mountain biker who relies on a “guide” to help him see as he races down one of the most difficult downhill courses in the U.S.
Check out the trailer to this very inspiring film:
The Six-Day Bicycle Races
USA 2006 | DV 60min.
Dir. Mark Tyson
Discover the original American form of bicycle racing when the track was king. Traces the history of the forgotten sport from early days in the 1880s through the sad demise in the 1950s. Interviews bring to life the Six-Day Bicycle Race. The film shares the excitement of an era when a bike rider could make in six days what his father might earn in six years.
Lucas Brunelle Worldwide Adventure
USA 2008 | DV 14min.
Dir. Lucas Brunelle
Lucas gives us a look at riding like no one else. London’s underground, the English Countryside, LA’s palm tree lined streets and Tokyo’s freeways are some of the backdrops for alleycats seen through the helmet cam.
Also showing at each screening are a whole slew of fun bike shorts. Tickets are $8 a showing or $29 for a full festival pass. More info and full Portland schedule available at BicycleFilmFestival.com.
— You can read all BikePortland’s previous coverage of the Bicycle Film Festival here.