Murder to mountains in Chautauqua doc series
In 1974 in Boulder, six Chicano activists were killed by two car bombs in a matter of 48 hours. No one has been convicted and questions about the deaths have never been answered.
“Neva Romero: Jamas Olvidados,” explores the events of this unsolved mystery and follows a group of activists working toward social justice. The film kicks off the documentary film series at Chautauqua with a screening Sept. 21. Nicole Esquibel, the film’s director, will introduce the film and conduct a post-screening discussion.
The series, which runs monthly through April, will screen films in the 125-seat historic Chautauqua Community House, with each one including a post-screening discussion. From climbing treacherous Himalayan peaks to Colorado pioneering women artists to untold stories of Spock, here’s the 2017-18 lineup:
“Neva Romero: Jamas Olvidados” is the story of a group of committed young activists working toward social justice, and one young woman’s struggle to make a difference during a period of collective turmoil following two car bombings in Boulder in 48 hours in 1974. Nicole Esquibel, the film’s director, will introduce the film and conduct a post-screening discussion. 7 p.m., Sept. 19
“Meru: The Struggle to Climb Mount Meru” follows
three elite climbers on a journey to tackle Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru — a spot at the headwaters of the Ganges River in northern India that has seen more failed attempts by elite climbing teams over the past 30 years than any other ascent in the Himalayas. Best-selling author of “Into Thin Air” Jon Krakauer will introduce the film and lead a post-screening discussion. 7 p.m., Oct. 6
“Aatsinki: The Story of Arctic Cowboys” follows
a family living north of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, who are a collective of traditional reindeer herders managing the last group of wild reindeer in all of Finland. Filmmaker and director Jessica Oreck will lead a post-screening discussion. 7 p.m. Nov. 3
“Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators” explores
the lesser-known tale of George’s authors, Hans and Margret Rey. From fleeing Nazi-occupied France on handmade bicycles to encounters with exotic animals in Brazil, the Reys lived lives of adventure that are reflected in the pages of one of the most treasured children’s book series of all time. James Erekson, associate professor of reading at the University of Northern Colorado, will introduce the film and lead a post-screening discussion. 7 p.m. Dec. 1
“Sign Painters” stylistically explores this unacknowledged art form through anecdotal accounts from artists across the country. These vanguards of unseen originality are leading a renaissance with a keen creative purpose and exemplify the working class American success story. Steve Beach, known as Steve the Sign Painter, will lead a post-screening discussion. 7 p.m., Jan. 12
“The Great Alone” captures the inspiring comeback story of champion dog sled racer Lance Mackey. With an endless amount of strength and determination, Mackey is the first in history to win four consecutive Iditarod races. Iditarod runner Jorge Latre will lead a post-screening discussion. 7 p.m. Feb. 9
“Pioneers: Women Artists of Colorado” follows
the unsung stories of four women artists, educators and activists, whose pioneering spirits, in the early days of Colorado history, forged today’s landscape of opportunity. Erika O’conor, the film’s director, will lead a postscreening discussion.
7 p.m. March 9
“For the Love of Spock” began as a celebration
of the 50th anniversary of “Star Trek: The Original Series,” but after Leonard Nimoy died in 2015, his son, director Adam Nimoy, was ready to tell another story: his personal experience growing up with Leonard and Spock and the ups and downs of being the son of a TV icon. “For the Love of Spock” is laden with never-before-seen footage and interviews, including William Shatner and the original Star Trek cast, Zachary Quinto and the new crew of the Starship Enterprise, filmmaker JJ Abrams and astrophysicist Neil degrasse Tyson. 7 p.m., April 6