Almost Gone, a Sequel to 51 Birch Street, Screening at Indie Film Week

This coming Tuesday at Indie Film Week I'll be unveiling what I've been up to for the past, oh, 18 years or so. It's called Almost Gone and you might say it's a sequel to 51 Birch Street, although I think of it more as a companion piece. 51 Birch was about my parents. This time I'm the parent.

Forgive me for dipping into third person here, but it seems easier to describe it briefly by quoting the Indie Film Week catalogue description:

Filmmaker Doug Block has captured much of his daughter Lucy's life -- and their relationship -- on camera.  Now his only child is 17 and will soon be leaving home for college.  Lucy's imminent departure is the springboard for a funny and deeply moving look at fathers and daughters, modern-day parenting, marriage and the looming empty nest.

The film is pretty much fully shot and we hope to begin editing by November or December.  We're showing a ten-minute work-in-progress sample and it's only for select industry members.  Still, it's the first time this very personal footage is screening in front of a sizeable audience, so it's a big moment. 

I'm sure I'll be writing much more about Almost Gone here in the months ahead, but if you're planning to attend Indie Film Week (formerly known as the IFP Market), hope to see you Tuesday the 16th at 3:30pm (MicroCinema 1, Room 4). 

Comments

[Mitchell Kezin]

Dear Doug,

I just wanted to say that I loved 51 Birch Street (and I admire the skill you possess which enables you to pull off uch a tricky, personal film)...I've been wondering what you've been up to so I checked your blog and lo & behold, you're making ANOTHER one! ; )

Can't wait to see it. By chance will you be pitching it at the TDF this spring?

(I ask, becuase, we met briefly at Hot Docs last year. I am a friend of many Canadian filmmaker's including Bart Simpson...with whom you were speaking at the Windsor Arms reception, when I interrupted to say i was an avid reader of your blog).

*** feel free to EDIT this post as you see fit.

Kind regards,
Mitchell Kezin
filmmaker

[noni juice]

Where I could watch this film? Do you plan to show this on Asia. I read some posts on this site, and I am very interested in viewing the film. The plot of the story seems intriguing.

[Doug Block]

Noni, hope to be done with the film this fall in time for one of the major fests (Toronto? IDFA? Sundance? Berlin?). Will definitely follow up with more posts as we get closer to completion, so stay tuned.

[brodiecat@live.com]

I watched your documentary 04/13/2009 and LOVED IT. You did an excellent job. What affected me most was the lost of your mother, who I admired and identified with so much.

[LISA PENDERGRASS]

I JUST SAW YOUR MOVIE THAT I CHECKED OUT AT THE NASHVILLE LIBRARY IN TN.I AM SO GLAD THAT I CHOSE YOUR MOVIE BECAUSE IT HAS REALLY HELPED ME HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF MY OWN PARENTS MARRIAGE AFTER MY MOMS DEATH.IT REALLY CEMENTS THE FACT THAT WE CAN ALL BE TIED TO ONE ANOTHER REGARDLESS OF OUR DIFFERENT ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS.I AM OFCOURSE BLACK AND HOPE TO SHOW THIS MOVIE TO MY WHOLE FAMILY. I TRULY BELIEVE IT HELPS WITH HEALING. I APPLAUDE YOU ON THIS MOVIE AND LOOK FORWARD TO VIEWING YOUR FUTURE FILMS.BLESS U AND URS :)