The second annual "Made in Nebraska" summer film series at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a notable homegrown entry this year.
Matter-of-factly titled Reunion '61-'76, the 90-minute TV documentary was shot in 1976 at nearby Beatrice High School's 15-year-reunion in black and white with a handheld camera. Although it has been shown at subsequent reunions, including one earlier this month, the July 29th screening at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center of a new print is a rare chance for the public to enjoy it on the big screen.
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| Beatrice '61-'76 [screen grab] |
Both director John Spence and cinematographer Michael Farrell will be in attendance to present the celebratory 50th anniversary showing. The film was originally made in partnership with Nebraska Educational Television (now Nebraska Public Media) and broadcast locally.
What makes the July 29th screening even more resonant is the fact that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is where Spence went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1969 and a Master of Fine Arts in 1972. From there, he worked for decades as both a photographer and documentary filmmaker.
Among the projects he subsequently had a hand in for Nebraska Public Media as a cinematographer were a portrait of artist Reinhold Marxhausen and a 90-minute look at state government. His many photographic achievements include capturing significant Black men and women of the state in 1981 with support from a Nebraska Council on the Humanities grant.
"Reunion '61-'76 is a very interesting slice of American life, and I think John got something really important to say with this film," Farrell told the Flatwater Free Press. "It's a really important piece of work and it shouldn't just get buried someplace."
To that effect, a few months ago, Spence posted the film in its entirety on YouTube. The time-capsule documentary can be viewed here.
[John Spence: website]
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