"Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy" Closing Film of The Reel Do Over

Join us on Sunday, April 26th for the Closing Film of The Reel Do Over for a special screening of"Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy" by local filmmakers Erin Trahan and Jeff Schmidt.

This short documentary highlights Michael Dukakis’s leadership and culinary wisdom as an antidote to the instability of American democracy. Juan Gallego, who was mentored by Dukakis and was his undergraduate assistant while a student at Northeastern, is featured in the film. A son of immigrants, Gallego has been involved in local advocacy in his hometown of Chelsea, including helping establish its Human Rights Commission. He is currently Associate Deputy Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

Following the screening, Jay Paris of beheard.world will moderate a Q&A with filmmaker Erin Trahan, composer Joel Roston and Juan Gallego.

In lieu of ticket fees, we humbly request you donate to our Emerging Filmmaker Scholarship Fund to be awarded to a young filmmaker in Chelsea.

Click here to see the full line-up of the festival.

Synopsis

Upon accepting the Democratic nomination for president in 1988, Michael Dukakis tells his fellow citizens that when they see an image of the White House, he wants them to feel pride. He pledges to serve in a White House that "sets high standards not just for the American people, but high standards for itself." “Dukakis” catches up with the unflappable three-term Massachusetts governor three decades later. On a snowy afternoon, in the same Brookline, Massachusetts duplex he bought with his wife Kitty more than 50 years ago, he pulls a frozen turkey carcass from the freezer and starts chopping onions.

While soup broth simmers, “Dukakis” takes viewers on a journey along his long arc of leadership, reflecting on his formative years as the son of Greek immigrants up to the present. At age 85, he mentors budding public servants as a college professor. He also chairs a commission to connect Boston’s North and South rail stations – a project he has backed since the 1970s. Meanwhile a crop of new leaders – including Northeastern University undergraduate Juan Gallego, also a son of immigrants – carries Dukakis’ legacy forward all the way to the governor’s office. 

“Democracy is a work in progress,” says Dukakis as he fills a bowl with steaming soup. “A precious gift that needs constant nurturing.” Amidst unprecedented uncertainty in American politics, “Dukakis” offers a reason to pause, take stock in the past, and look forward with renewed faith in what’s possible when people believe in democracy, and each other.

ABOUT THE REEL DO OVER

The Reel Do Over is an exciting week-long cultural event that includes screenings of short films produced by local and regional filmmakers, workshops, panel discussions and networking/casual mixers for the community. 

Youth 21 and under have free admission to all the screenings, panels and workshops. Otherwise tickets are $15.00 per event with Festival and Day passes available.

Devra Sari Zabot (based in Chelsea) and K. Elisa Garcia (Chelsea native, based in Everett) are thrilled to partner on The Reel Do Over and blend their combined thirty years of professional industry experience together to bring the magic of moviemaking to Chelsea.  At one point in time downtown Chelsea/Broadway had four movie theaters.

As two filmmakers committed to creating opportunities, we believe in the power of film to empower and uplift the individual and a community.  If this event is successful, we plan on making The Reel Do Over an annual event and hope to see showcase films by more and more locally based filmmakers. 

The Reel Do Over event will celebrate movie making from the office to set with hands-on cinematography/directing workshop, a session on DEI, a panel on sustainability and a conversation around new roles in film production. 

We are also accepting donations via our GoFundMe page to raise monies towards a scholarship for a Chelsea based young (21 and under) filmmaker.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Chelsea Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding has been provided by Eastern Salt, our premier sponsor.

SCHEDULE:

OPENING NIGHT

7:00pm - 8:00pm followed by a Q&A

Join us for Opening Night! We will feature films about Chelsea followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers!

“Chelsea, The Jewish Years” directed and produced by Ellen Rovner, “Chelsea” a section from a feature documentary still in progress produced and directed by Sabrina Avilés and Jenny Alexander, and select oral histories from the “Chelsea Black Heritage Project” produced by Joan Cromwell and The Chelsea Black Community.

The panel will be moderated by Delia Harrington, Chelsea’s Manager of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

THURSDAY

5:30pm - 6:45pm: Nerissa Williams Scott Presents “Set, Ready Launchpad” Program

The Set Ready LaunchPad is a Filmmaking Immersion Program initiative of TCGT Entertainment. LaunchPad brings together emerging filmmakers and places them in actual film productions under the mentorship of experienced industry professionals.As our key initiative, Set Ready LaunchPad’s Curriculum is designed to connect film and arts education to union trades. This fosters and provides a desired pipeline for young people to gain technical skills and certifications that can lead to long-term careers. By bridging creative training with workforce development, we are addressing both the need for representation in the arts and the demand for skilled labor in our economy.

7:00pm - 8:15pm: Shorts Block I - Drama

Films made by locally based filmmakers. A Q&A with filmmakers to follow.

FRIDAY

6:30pm - 7:30pm: Sustainability in Production

What does sustainability in production look like? How can writers integrate sustainability practices into scripts? How do line-producers budget in composting and electric vehicles? What new roles are being created to manage sustainability on set? And why it is so important that the largest studios in the world are instilling sustainability practices.

Meg Montagnino-Jarrett, MA Film Office Director and Hunter Vaughn Assistant Professor, Visual and Media Arts at Emerson with a focus on environmental impact on technology, will join us to share their knowledge and answer your questions. This panel is sponsored by La Colaborativa, a Chelsea based non-profit with a focus on immigrant rights, social justice and economic development. Additional panelists to be added!

8:00pm - 9:30pm: Shorts Block II - SciFi & Fantasy

Films made by locally based filmmakers. A Q&A with filmmakers to follow.

SATURDAY

10:00am -12:00pm: Cinematography Workshop presented by K. Elisa Garcia of Endless Films.

earn the basics of cameras, lenses and lights. A fully accessible workshop for the novice and beginners.

1:00pm - 2:30pm: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Film Festivals but were too afraid to ask!

Presented by Women in Film & Video New England, connect with festival staff of local film festivals including Roxbury International Film Festival, Woods Hole Film Festival, Boston Underground FIlm Festival, CineFest Latino Boston, and Salem Film Festival.

3:30pm - 4:30pm: Future of Film/Creative and Crew Changes This panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing filmmakers.

5:00pm - 6:00pm; What DEI means to the Production Industry. Presented by Victoria Ashly Griggs co-founder of Sweeter the Juicer Films. Expect to walk away inspired, tool kit in hand and a list of actions items!

6:30pm - 8:00pm: Shorts Block - III - Horror Filmmaker Q&A following the screenings.

8:30pm - 10:30pm: Closing Night Party sponsored by Wide Angle Boston:

All are welcome to attend. Refreshements, music and mingling.

SUNDAY

10:30am - 12:30pm Directing Workshop:

Presented by K. Elisa Garcia from Endless Films.

1:00pm - 2:30pm "Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy" Closing Festival Film:

Short film screening and audience talk back. Thirty years after running for president, Michael Dukakis’s ongoing leadership and culinary wisdom offer an antidote to the instability of American democracy. Filmmaker Erin Trahan will join the Q&A with Juan Gallego, a life-long Chelsea resident who is featured in the film. Juan is currently Associate Deputy Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

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