A Woodstock Vermont Film Series feature documentary
Saturday, Jan. 1 at 3 and 5:30 p.m. — WOODSTOCK — Billings Farm & Museum’s 12th annual Woodstock Vermont film series returns to the Billings Farm Theater with the feature “Kedi,” a sophisticated, artful documentary exploring the profound relationship between man and cat in the metropolis of Istanbul, Turkey. There will be two showings on Saturday, Jan. 1, at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Billings Farm & Museum Theater.
Hundreds of thousands of cats have roamed Istanbul freely for thousands of years, wandering in and out of people’s lives, impacting them in ways only an animal who lives between the worlds of the wild and the tamed can. Cats and their kittens bring joy and purpose to those they choose, giving people an opportunity to reflect on life and their place in it. In Istanbul, cats are the mirrors to ourselves.
The filmmaker interviews a variety of locals across Istanbul about their bonds with the creatures, but the cats themselves take center stage, transforming the experience into a spiritual meditation on their significance to modern civilization. One interviewee argues that the relationship between cats and people is the closest we might get to understanding what it’s like to interact with aliens. If so, “Kedi” goes a long way towards making first contact.
“Kedi”
Of the film, the Toronto Star says, “A cat’s-eye view of the world that showcases both the warm-hearted people of this ancient Turkish city and the seamless integration of its felines into everyday life.”
The 12th annual Woodstock Vermont film series will present a selection of 10 diverse films reflecting Billings Farm & Museum’s vision to share place-based stories of people near and far, to engage our audiences, and to inspire conversations that increase connections with each other and our world. The Woodstock Vermont Film Series is curated and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jay Craven, and produced by the Billings Farm & Museum, with generous support from local sponsors.
In re-opening the theater to the film series, the health and safety of guests is a top priority. The theater has been upgraded with a MERV 13 filtration system. Film attendees are required to wear masks in the theater at all times and to show proof of vaccination to enter. For a full list of films and to purchase tickets, visit billingsfarm.org/filmseries or call 802-457-5303.
