In Marin / CURRENTS
BOOKS (CONT.)
Reading List
Maya’s
Notebook by
Isabel Allende,
HarperCollins, 400
pages, $27.99. The
accomplished San
Rafael author’s
latest effort is climbing best-seller
lists. The story tells of a deeply
troubled teen’s downfall and banish-
ment to her grandmother’s native
Chile and her eventual recovery.
Written with insight and authority,
the tale is fascinating in all aspects.
The Humanity
Project: A
Novel by Jean
Thompson, Blue
Rider Press, 352
pages, $26.95. The
acclaimed Midwest
author’s novel takes place in Mill
Valley. “Sean, a Marin County
carpenter and single dad, finds
himself beating his head against the
brick wall of the world,” writes one
reviewer. A truly great read.
Marin’s
Mountain
Play: 100
Years of
Theatre
on Mount
Tamalpais by Elisabeth Ptak, Mountain
Play Association, 140 pages, $25. This
beautifully produced commemorative
book features historic black-and-
white photos along with captivating
color shots. Ranging from Rip Van
Winkle (1915) to Hairspray (2011),
each production gets its due. J. W.
MARIN FILMMAKERS
George Lucas, Nicasio, Return of the Jedi Lucas will
screen his immensely popular 1983 film. In this
episode we see Han Solo rescued from the palace of
Jabba the Hutt while the Rebels attempt to destroy
the second Death Star and Luke Skywalker tries to
bring his father back to the light side of the Force.
Jamie Redford, Fairfax, Toxic Hot Seat Redford is on a
mission to find and eliminate chemical flame retardants.
The problem is these flame retardants don’t seem to stop
fires; they do, however, appear to make us sick.
Liam Hughes, San Anselmo, Greed A business execu-
tive and a street punk square off over a winning
lottery ticket.
Tylor Norwood, San Anselmo, Naples Yellow An intimate look at three local artists — a picture framer
from Fairfax, a pigment artist from San Francisco and
a West Marin painter — all inadvertently working to
create a truly collaborative piece of art.
Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, San Rafael, Yukon Kings
Set in the remote Alaskan Yukon Delta during the
summer salmon run, Yukon Kings follows Yup’ik fisherman Ray Waska as he teaches his grandkids how to
fish. As outside forces threaten their way of life, Ray
holds on to the hope that his grandsons will one day
pass on his knowledge to their children.
Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, San Rafael, Laugh Clown
Laugh A portrait of Berlin-based clown Reinhard
“Filou” Horstkotte, who believes there is truly more
to his art than laughter. For Reinhard, the role of
the clown is not just to entertain, but to explore the
whole human being.
John Antonelli, Sausalito, Unfair Game: The Politics of
Poaching This feature-length documentary is set in
the wilds of Swaziland and Zambia and explores what
happens when measures to protect wildlife come in
conflict with indigenous peoples’ rights.
Harris Cohen, Tiburon, Hans A chronicle of an
Austrian native’s journey to Shanghai as a young boy
to escape the Nazis, his love for the Dipsea Race and
his late bloom as a professional photographer.
MARIN LOCATIONS
John Brown’s Body at San Quentin Prison inmate-
actors reflect on their crimes, their lives and their
three-year commitment to mount a production of the
classic American song John Brown’s Body.
Keeper of the Beat Acclaimed 67-year-old Mill
Valley drummer, composer, teacher and peacemaker
Barbara Borden tells her story in this autobiographi-
cal documentary.
Marin Shines at MVFF
Whether you’re looking for a film made by a Marinite or one just set here, the 36th
annual Mill Valley Film Festival, running October 3–13, has you covered. Sure, the
festival will attract the usual A-list Hollywood types, but here are a few local superstars
and super films to add to your watch list. mvff.com MIMI TOWLE
GRAY GARDEN NO MORE Back in 2012, Annie Spiegelman — aka the Dirt Diva — teamed
up with a group of Novato High students to resurrect their long-forgotten school garden. This
year, Spiegelman, the Garden Club and a slew
of like-minded teens decided to augment the
roots they had put down with a beautiful mural
on the once stark, gray wall behind the garden
beds. After months of sketching, planning and
painting, the 80-foot sunflower mural serves as
a reminder of what can be accomplished with a
little color and creativity. C.V.P.
