The Knowledge Network is hosting the world premiere of local filmmaker Amy Bohigian’s documentary Only in Nelson on Wednesday, Oct. 2, Thursday, Oct. 3, and Oct. 30 at the Civic Theatre.
“We are delighted to again be partnering with Amy, this time on her first feature-length documentary with Knowledge Network,” said Rudy Buttignol, president and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation. “She is not only talented, hard-working and resourceful but a sincere pleasure to work with as well.
“Amy’s first film with Knowledge was Dreamers and Dissidents, a lovely collection of short stories about the people and history of the Kootenays. It was the winner of our province-wide workshop/competition that we organized in Nelson a few years earlier. And now we look forward to the local community’s reaction when we return for the world premiere of Amy’s new documentary, Only in Nelson.”
“Knowledge Network is widely regarded as a world-class broadcaster so it’s such an honour to have them back to Nelson to host the premiere,” says Bohigian. “I have been fortunate to be living proof of their commitment to fostering filmmakers and telling stories from across our province.”
The backdrop for the 76-minute documentary is the 2018 civic election. Nelson has been a mountain town refuge for free spirits looking to create a funky utopia for generations. As the election heats up, the Bohemian bubble bursts when one man kills another on the main street. This prompts Bubbles the Clown to run for mayor as she stumps for the marginalized citizens of Nelson.
A former three-term mayor seeks to reclaim the mayor’s chair from the incumbent. The film follows an eclectic group of candidates along the campaign trail as they seek to win the votes of the hyper-engaged citizens whose town is in crisis over how to move forward amidst the wave of global populism encroaching on their counter-culture haven.
Within public forums and behind closed doors, both candidates and city residents colour the controversies and issues that define the current social and political climate of Nelson, laying bare the democratic process of a city grappling with and recreating its own sense of identity.
The Oct. 2 screening is by invite only. Tickets for the Oct. 3 screenings at 7 and 8:45 p.m. are free and available at civictheatre.ca. Showtimes for the Oct. 30 screening are not yet available. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show. Find more information at onlyinnelson.com.
