Greek Tragedy: Q&A with Filmmaker Fritz Miller

Today's "State of the Arts" column features a short piece I wrote about "The Legend of Jimmy the Greek," a documentary directed by Charlotte-based filmmaker Fritz Mitchell, which premieres at the FlynnSpace this Tuesday along with "Muhammad and Larry" by legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles — see 7D film critic Rick Kisonak's review here. The films were made as part of ESPN's ongoing "30 for 30" project, a series of 30 films by 30 directors covering under-reported or forgotten sports stories from the past three decades. And they are really, really good.

As anyone who follows my ramblings over on SolidState is likely aware, in addition to being 7D's "music guy," I'm also a "sports guy." So I've been following "30 for 30" almost religiously since it debuted on ESPN three weeks ago. (I should note I'm also a huge fan of the series' architect, the Sports Guy, Bill Simmons.) But what has impressed me most about "30 for 30" thus far — Mitchell's film very much included — is how accessible these stories are, even for the most casual sports fan.

For example, my girlfriend — whom SolidState readers know as Plus One — is a reluctant sports fan. She tries (hard) to take an interest, almost solely because I enjoy it so much. But "30 for 30" has been a different experience altogether. If anything, the series has resonated more with her than it has me.

She choked up as hockey legend Wayne Gretzky bade his tearful farewell to Edmonton during "Kings' Ransom." She cheered when football returned to Baltimore and redeemed the passion of — of all things — an amateur marching band in "The Band That Wouldn't Die." And she fumed at Donald Trump's manipulative arrogance in "Who Killed the USFL?" ("Wow," she remarked as the credits rolled. "So he's always been a d-bag, huh?" Yup.) These are not just great sports stories. They are great stories, period. 

Unfortunately, a 400-word column bit is hardly enough space to do the Greek's story justice — let alone the story behind making the film. So what follows is the transcript of an interview I conducted recently with Mitchell about the project, which I hope sheds a little more light on the man, the myth and the legend that was gambling icon Jimmy the Greek.

Breaking the Silence: Torture Survivors Speak Out

This week, international human rights attorney Terry Coonan is in Burlington for a FREE screening of his documentary film, Breaking the Silence: Torture Survivors Speak Out. 

Why is Breaking the Silence such a powerful piece of filmmaking? It’s never easy broaching the subject of torture, and harder still is getting people who’ve survived it themselves to talk about their personal experiences. This film, which is being shown Thursday night, September 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Street Landing Film House in Burlington, includes interviews with scores of torture survivors from around the world. The screening and discussion with the filmmaker is part of a three-day training seminar currently underway for Vermont social-service providers, called  “Building NESTT: Working with Survivors of Torture.” It's a brand-new effort to coordinate social services for Vermonters who have survived torture, rape, genocide and other atrocities in war-torn nations.

After 29 Years, Savoy for Sale

Rick Winston and Andrea Serota, owners of Montpelier's single-screen Savoy Theater, have announced that they're looking for someone to buy the business.

Winston has been showing indie and arthouse films at the brick-walled theater since 1980. Serota, his wife, became his sole business partner in '99.

So why stop now? Serota says in a phone interview, "Rick and I are both celebrating our 62nd birthdays this week. We realized some time ago that we wanted to prepare for the theater's existence beyond our participation." Knowing that the "transition might take quite a long time," they listed the business — including a lease hold on the downtown space, theater furniture and equipment, and the stock of their attached video store — with Vermont Business Brokers. The asking price: $112,000.