Coffee Conspiracy Independent Film Festival showcases latest Inde flicks
By Andy McDonald

A trendy art house in Louisville. Maybe a theater in downtown Lexington. Those are the places cinema fans would likely think to look when seeking out independent films in central Kentucky. Now Berea is a place where film enthusiasts can see award-winning independent movies, thanks to the efforts of one local business owner and the Madison County Public Library/Berea. Coffee Conspiracy Specialty Coffeehouse is sponsoring an independent film festival running Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. through the end of May. The Madison County Public Library/Berea, meanwhile, is showing one film per month on selected Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons.

The comedy "Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity," will be showing at Coffee Conspiracy beginning Feb. 19, and will be shown at the Madison County Public Library Oct. 12 and 14.

Coffee Conspiracy’s founder, Jim Thomason, said his interest in independent films inspired his effort to launch the film festival at his Chestnut Street coffee house.

“One of my favorite channels on cable years ago was the Independent Film Channel,” Thomason said. “Most movies that you go to in theaters are mainline productions. You rarely get to see independent films anywhere, especially in Kentucky.”

"Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity"

Since the festival began in January, Thomason said people have responded very positively, though attendance has been sparse at times. Thomason said he hopes interest will continue to build, and that residents of Kentucky’s “folk arts and crafts capital” will come out to enjoy and support a different kind of art form – film.

“We don’t have a movie theater in Berea,” Thomason said, noting one of the most frequent complaints about the city. “That’s basically what the whole coffee house is about: offering something for the community, providing a place where you can go listen to live music, or see awarding winning films that you can’t see in Kentucky anywhere else – other than at the library. It’s a goal of ours to offer a venue to give people a new option for entertainment. Hopefully, it will help grow business, too.”

Thomason said he and librarian Abbie Harris began working to bring independent films to the community at about the same time. After exchanging a few emails, Thomason began supporting the library’s efforts by providing coffee the library’s movie showings.

“Jim very graciously offered to donate coffee (& cups, cream, sugar,
Etc.) for the screenings,” Harris said. “That has been a really nice addition to the movie screenings.”

Harris said parents should remember that the films are not rated like movies found in a conventional theater.

“Most people like being able to see films that won't ever appear at Cinemark or any other major theatre.” Harris said. “But I like to remind people that these are independent films, and so they are not rated. Because of this, we do not admit anyone under 17 without a parent or legal guardian.”

Coming up on February 19, the Coffee Conspiracy will feature “Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity,” which drew audience acclaim at the Toronto, Sundance and Vancouver International Film Festivals. The film is director Mina Shum's third full feature, and it is produced by Christina Jennings (Shaftesbury Films Inc.), Scott Garvie (Shaftesbury Films Inc.), and Raymond Massey (Massey Productions Ltd.).

“Long Life,” is the story of a young divorced mother (Sandra Oh) raising her 12-year-old daughter, Mindy (Valerie Tian). Mindy sets out to improve her mother’s dire financial situation and find her a new boyfriend by using ancient Taoist magic. The results are unexpected, hysterically funny and heart-warming. Thomason said he is especially proud to bring the film to Berea as part of the festival.

"Film Festival was created to give access to evocative and culturally diverse films such as “Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity” to filmgoers beyond New York and Los Angeles. It is a great family film that audiences will embrace nationwide." said Thomason.

Screenings take place at Coffee Conspiracy, 440 Chestnut Street, and all shows are free and open to the public. Call (859) 986-8597 for more information.

Thomason also invites local residents to visit Coffee Conspiracy during the month of February to celebrate National Specialty Coffee Month, where visitors can learn more about what sets specialty coffees apart from store bought canned brews. While they’re at it, visitors can treat themselves to some of critically acclaimed films Monday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. at Coffee Conspiracy, said Thomason.

“Before, you had to go to Richmond or Lexington to see a movie,” Thomason said. “We can’t show what’s showing there, but these are first rate movies that you could only see in the big city.”

Independent films playing at the Madison County Public Library/Berea show the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm, and the following Thursday afternoon at 12:30. Upcoming offerings at the library include:

March 9 & 11: Eric Eason's "Manito" (American)
Apr. 13 & 15: Yamina Benguigui's "Inch'Allah Dimanche" (French)
May 11 & 13: Scott Hamilton Kennedy's "OT: Our Town" (American)
June 8 & 10: Dominique Standaert's "Hop" (Belgian)
July 13 & 15: "The Party's Over" by Revecca Chaiklin & Donovan Leitch
(American)
Aug. 10 & 12: Daniele Luchetti's "Ginger & Cinnamon" (Italian)
Sept. 14 & 16: "Morlang" by Tjebbo Penning (Netherlands)
Oct. 12 & 14: Mina Shum's "Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity" (Canadian)
Nov. 9 & 11: Imanole Uribe's "Carol's Journey” (Spain)

Written by Andy McDonald - BereaOnline.com Contributing Editor