Looking for some cinematic adventure? Want to sample something other than the usual Hollywood fare being doled out at the local multiplex? Our local entertainment treasure, The Portsmouth Music Hall is again hosting this years 'Telluride by the Sea' event.  Titles for this year's festival include 'Coco Before Channel', 'The Last Station', 'An Education', 'Vincere', and 'Bright Star'. There are also two documentaries, 'The Solitary Life Of Cranes' and 'The Last Truck: The Closing Of A GM Plant'.

'Coco Before Channel' is a bio-pic of the noted designer's early life starring Audrey Tautou. Another focused biography;  'The Last Station' is an account of the final months of Leo Tolstoy's life and features notable actors Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren and Paul Giamatti. 'An Education' also has some star power of it's own with Peter Sarsgaard, Emma Thompson and Alfred Molina. This film is a coming-of-age story where newcomer Carey Mulligan becomes entangled with an older man who lives a loose lifestyle. Benito Mussolini's mistress is the subject of 'Vincere' and the film follows her fatal attempt to have their son legitimately recognized. 'Bright Star' is a feature film from Jane Campion (‘The Piano') that is also a biographical look at the relationship between poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne.

The documentary, 'The Solitary Life Of Cranes' is not about birds, but construction crane operators and their ‘bird's eye' view of the activity playing out below them. This is a UK offering and if you've ever traveled to Europe, you'd note these superstructures are quite common where ever construction is taking place. The film has an approximate running time of 27 minutes. The other listed documentary, 'The Last Truck: The Closing Of A GM Plant' should strike a chord with many local residents, given the contraction of our own regional manufacturing enterprises. While areas north of Massachusetts never boasted any similar automotive assembly plants, there have been a number of automotive-related businesses that have shuttered their operations in our area.

Given the list of titles, there seems to be a little something that almost anyone would enjoy. The film festival runs from Sept 18^th through the 20^th with additional screenings late on Sunday and on Monday (the 21^st) evening. Be sure to consult the Music Hall's website for screening details!

Official Site: Portsmouth Music Hall

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