NHDocs
NHDocs: The New Haven Documentary Film Festival — now in its seventh year, a week of films by documentary filmmakers from all over the country — begins on Tuesday, Aug. 18, with two online offerings that have one thing in common: the incomparable country music star Johnny Cash.
My Darling Vivian is the story of Vivian Liberto, who met Cash in 1951 when they were 17 and married him three years later. From the details of their courtship — much of which is documented in the letters they wrote to one another while he was stationed in Germany with the Air Force — marriage and family life, to the troubles that plagued them until their eventual divorce, her experience and perspective is illuminated by the stories told by their four daughters, each with their own insight to share.
This compelling and compassionate film, directed by Matt Riddlehoover, dives deeper into a portion of Cash’s history beyond the more well-known moments played out in the public eye during his frequent television appearances and in the film Walk The Line. Here the mostly private Vivian is the star of not only the stories told, but the numerous family films and photos that highlight their happier times as well as her life after the end of her first marriage. The movie also focuses on the struggles she and her daughters encountered as Cash became more and more a part of the American culture and country music mythology.
This documentary is followed by “The Songs of Johnny Cash,” an all-star tribute to the performer presented by both NHDocs and Cafe Nine. Produced by Dean Falcone, this event is a compilation of filmed performances of Cash classics from a host of Cafe Nine alumni, including local favorites Frank Critelli, Lys Guillorn, and Patrick Dalton, as well as Lydia Loveless and Sarah Shook, both of whom have been the subject of documentaries (directed by the festival’s executive director Gorman Bechard) featured at previous festivals. All ticket proceeds will benefit the Cafe Nine virtual tip jar.
These are the first in a series of online offerings made available by the festival this year, in addition to a number of limited seating and socially distant-compliant live events. The festival also includes three student film competitions — including two brand new to the festival this year — as well as four filmmaking workshops. The festival runs from Tuesday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 23.
For information about the festival, including tickets purchases and a full schedule of films and events, visit the NHDocs website here.