http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/ ETV's independent film series that airs weekly on Thursdays at 10 p.m. en rschaller@scetv.org Copyright 2012 2012-01-06T01:00:04+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/the_florestine_collection/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/the_florestine_collection/#When:00:00:04Z One wet Mardi Gras morning in 2001, Columbia, SC native Helen Hill stumbled upon more than 100 handmade dresses on the curb of a New Orleans street. This chance encounter sent her down a path to track down their owner, and launched what would be her last film.   Tragically, Helen died in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which left not only destruction but rising violence in its wake. She was in the middle of production on The Florestine Collection when she was killed during a home invasion that also left her husband, Paul Gailiunas, injured. In her honor, Paul completed the film, attributing Helen with saving his life even as he mourns hers. The Florestine Collection begins with  Helen's discovery of the dresses, which fit her in more ways than one. She said that the clothes “were quirky and lovely, just my style.”  Through notes and church bulletins left in the dress pockets, Helen learned their owner was Florestine Kinchens. Unfortunately, Florestine had recently died and with no known family, her landlord had tossed her belongings out of the house. As church members describe Florestine as a woman with a “zest for life,” Paul draws parallels to Helen’s own vivacious personality using footage of her playing with their baby son, Francis Pop. Through Helen's trademark silhouetted cut-out puppet animation and restored flood-damaged home movies, the half-hour film then backtracks to chronicle Helen and Paul's life together, as they begin their family and establish themselves in New Orleans, the discovery of the dresses, through Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, and then Helen's shocking murder. Somehow balancing between light-hearted and heartbreaking, The Florestine Collection features songs written and performed by Paul, including two in which he is accompanied by Helen. He also narrates the film, which remains unquestionably a celebration of her spirit. Following the special presentation, ETV will also air several of Helen's other films, including: Tunnel of Love Vessel Mouseholes Madame Winger Makes a Film   Still images from The Florestine Collection:   2012-01-06T00:00:04+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/keeping_the_may_river_wild/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/keeping_the_may_river_wild/#When:16:58:04Z Keeping the May River Wild combines still photography of egrets, eagles, dolphins and more with a collection of natural sounds and 10 interviews with people who understand the river, its residents and the challenges they face from rapid area development. The documentary opens with the view from the cockpit of a kayak paddling the marshy river near Hilton Head Island, S.C.   Quickly paced, with carefully juxtaposed images, interviews and audio, the documentary comprises hundreds of short scenes and Foley sounds, including some 200 stills, most made from a kayak, many from the middle of bug and wildlife infested marshes.  Visit the website at http://www.imediasmith.com. This special encore presentation airs on the South Carolina Channel on Monday, Dec. 12 at 8:30 p.m. 2011-11-24T16:58:04+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/catawba_river_voices/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/catawba_river_voices/#When:16:38:34Z “Catawba River Voices” is a documentary on the past and future of the Catawba River and explores the history as far back as when it was known as "The Garden of the Waxhaws."  The program tells the river's story through the memories of a seventh-generation descendant of original settlers, Native Americans who depended on it and an African-American who has farmed along the river since the 1940s.Included in the program are stories about the glory days of Duke Energy when the company was a major employer building ambitious dam projects.  Other stories include memories of Springs Park, a playground for Springs Industries employees set on the edge of the river.The program focuses on preservation of the river especially because in 2008, it was named a scenic river and simultaneously cited as the nation’s most endangered river. The program is produced by John Bullington.  The program was funded by The Audubon Society and Toyota, and inspired by the Katawba Valley Land Trust of Lancaster, SC that protects more than 8,000 acres along the Catawba River Valley.  2011-11-24T16:38:34+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/homestretch/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/homestretch/#When:00:00:05Z Homestretch documents the mutual rehabilitation of outcast horses and prisoners. When top-pedigree racehorses fail to earn, they face slaughter or punishing two-bit racing circuits. Now, a few progressive prison farms are pairing rescued thoroughbreds with jail-hardened men. The transformations in both horse and prisoner challenge stereotypes and, for some, offer hopes of redemption. 2011-11-18T00:00:05+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/sea_island_secrets/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/sea_island_secrets/#When:12:00:09Z Sea Island Secrets: A Journey Through Time takes us back to the days when Native Americans lived on the islands between Edisto and St. Phillips Sound. When Mike Hudson and Gibbes McDowell partnered with archaeologist Dr. Chester DePratter, they found Indian shell middens, various tools and pottery shards, some of which have been carbon dated to approximately 4,000 years ago. 2011-11-02T12:00:09+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/the_dark_corner/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/the_dark_corner/#When:00:00:40Z This program is a journey through the elusive history of the area known as the Dark Corner. An area once defined by murders, moonshining and mayhem, this film defines the boundaries, debunks myths, and tells the story of a people who are tied to the land. People have asked many times “where is the Dark Corner?” and many times the reply was always ‘it’s a little further up the road…’ Told through scholars and storytellers, this film reveals a history from ancient Indians to the modern development of northern Greenville County. Dark Corner Films became inspired not only by its namesake but by the many residents who wanted the true history of the area to be told. To order a copy of the DVD featuring the full length documentary, visit the ETV Store. 2011-10-14T00:00:40+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/the_last_one_by_neal_hutcheson/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/the_last_one_by_neal_hutcheson/#When:00:00:52Z Hiding out in the recesses of Southern Appalachia, The infamous moonshiner Popcorn Sutton carves out a space by a creek to make one last run of white lightning. As he and a partner build the still and work through the ritual of distillation, an ancient craft is revealed, along with an entire way of life that is quickly passing out of existence. The story unfolds along with a lifetime of memories in the illegal liquor trade. To order a copy of this program, visit the Sucker Punch Pictures website. 2011-10-07T00:00:52+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/the_cannon_street_boys/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/the_cannon_street_boys/#When:17:26:24Z Inspired by the true story of the all-black 1955 Cannon Street YMCA Little League All-Star baseball team as they find themselves in the middle of a racial controversy during the Little League World Series. An inspiring story of baseball and courage in the segregated South. Produced and directed by Jason Scott. 2011-10-05T17:26:24+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/southern_lens_duncan_park_stadium/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/southern_lens_duncan_park_stadium/#When:12:31:25Z Duncan Park Stadium located in Spartanburg opened in the summer of 1926 and is the oldest baseball stadium in South Carolina and also one of the oldest still in use in America.  It has been where amateur ball players have developed their skills, championships have been won, and been visited by famous celebrities and legendary baseball entertainers.  This film traces the long history of this ballpark and highlights key moments and events throughout its first 85 years. 2011-10-05T12:31:25+00:00 http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/south_carolina_foodways/ http://www.scetv.org/index.php/southern_lens/show/south_carolina_foodways/#When:14:10:40Z South Carolina Foodways explores our state's unique food traditions.  Produced and directed by award-winning documentarian Joe York of the Southern Foodways Alliance, this program features barbeque, seafood, pork and squirrel stew!  2011-09-29T14:10:40+00:00