On Saturday, October 29th at 9 a.m., at the Easton Library, the Chesapeake Film Festival introduces the screening of Karate Kid with a real life demonstration of one of the most widely practiced martial art forms in the world. The Olympic sport requires acute mental and physical conditioning to use only the hands and feet in defensive and counteracting body movements. With movements developed in Japan, India and China over the course of several thousands of years, there are today countless variations.
Master Chris Dyer Sr. 6th Degree Black Belt and owner of Dyer’s Karate, based in Collingdale, PA will be leading a Karate Demonstration. Attendees will learn Basic Martial Arts Skills and Anti-Bullying Techniques. In honor of the film Wax On/Wax Off, Paint the Fence and the Crane Technique will also be taught.
9:45 a.m. Film — The Karate Kid directed by John Avildsen
Daniel (Ralph Macchio) moves to Southern California with his mother, Lucille (Randee Heller), but quickly finds himself the target of a group of bullies who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita), an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate and preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.
Noon — Karate Demonstration for John Avildsen
12:15 — Post Film Q & A with Master Chris Dyer, 12:15 p.m.
12:45 p.m. — Cardboard Dreams directed by Andrew Harmon
Jack (Tyler Desharnais), an adventure-loving 10-year old, is determined to get his older brother to think he’s cool, while the whimsical Marigold (Sarah Hazen) is simply trying to get her grief-stricken father to notice her again. Together, they focus their desire to rebuild their broken families into rebuilding a neglected, old playhouse in the woods. There they stumble into worlds of pirate ships, woodland fairies and fire-breathing dragons where they discover that friendship can overcome any adversity.
1:15 p.m. — Black Captains of the Chesapeake directed by Professor S. Torriano Berry
(second screening Sunday, October 30, Easton Premier Cinema, 6:45 p.m.)
Black Captains of the Chesapeake explores the lives and work of a group of African American Head Boat Captains sailing out of Kent Narrows. For over 50 years, they have carried out fishing parties on the Chesapeake Bay. The documentary also tells of their easy days as watermen harvesting the once plentiful boundary of crabs, oysters and clams. Now they must rely on the charter fishing trade alone to earn a living. These captains discuss the dangers on the bay, their total commitment to their work, and the uncertain future.
S. Torriano Berry is an award-winning independent is filmmaker who has created and executive produced the anthology series Black Independent Showcase and Black Visions/Silver Screen: Howard University Student Film Showcase for WHUT-TV 32, in Washington, D.C.
As a writer, Berry co-authored the film resource books, “The 10 Most Influential Black Films,” published by Citadel Press in 2001, and “Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema,” Scarecrow Press, 2007 (“A to Z of African American Cinema” – Paperback)
The Chesapeake Film Festival is funded in part by a grants from the Maryland Firm Office and the Talbot County Arts Council, with revenues provided by the Maryland State Arts Council.
www.ChesapeakeFilmFestival.com for full program, All Access Passes, individual tickets
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