Premiere Press

Premiere Press — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

We were delighted to see The Day Carl Sandburg Died open to great reviews and national press back in September. Tom Brinkmoeller from TV Worth Watching explored the many facets of Sandburg in his piece while the New York Daily News gave the film four out of five stars, plus other mentions in the Mountain Xpress, Galesburg Register-Mail, The State Journal Register and more. In radio and television, Paul was interviewed by Bob Edwards on his Sirius XM show and featured as "Person of the Week" on Asheville's WLOS-TV. Thanks for all the support! If you're interested in the film please head over to Shop PBS and pick up a copy.    

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Studs Terkel on Sandburg

Studs Terkel on Sandburg — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Check out the exclusive "American Masters" extra with Studs Terkel. In it the late Terkel discusses Sandburg's 300 page masterpiece poem, The People, Yes. Terkel was an American author, historian, actor and broadcaster best known for his oral histories and long-running radio show in Chicago. Studs Terkel: Sandburg Packs a Wallop Don't forget to tune into The Day Carl Sandburg Died Monday, Sept.24 @ 10 p.m. And keep checking the website for more extras and commentary!

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Carl Sandburg sings America!

Carl Sandburg sings America! — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

We have two new exciting developments to The Day Carl Sandburg Died: First, the pre-order link to purchase the DVD is up. Head over to Shop PBS  for your official copy. DVD's will ship Tuesday, September 25 after Monday's broadcast. They are $24.99 and full of never before seen cast interviews and special features. Secondly, our friends at American Masters posted a fine tribute to Sandburg's American Songbag on Friday. It is complemented with a Spotify playlist of Sandburg singing everything 'America,' from the mountains to the boll weevil. Take a listen!      

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Film to air on PBS Sept.24 @ 10 p.m.

Film to air on PBS Sept.24 @ 10 p.m. — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

We are pleased to announce that the The Day Carl Sandburg Died will see its official broadcast on PBS's "American Masters" Monday, September 24 at 10 p.m. The Bonesteel team is excited to witness the culmination of years of hard work. The ultimate goal since the beginning of this journey, more than seven years ago, has been to have the opportunity to tell Sandburg's story to a national audience. More thanks are in order, but in the meantime we'd like to thank those at PBS and WNET and our many partners and contributors, all who have helped the story. We are buckling down for the next few hectic months of film publicity and promotion, but stay tuned to the website and our Facebook page, Bonesteel Films, for exclusive clips and insights into the broadcast.

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Poetry Foundation to screen film on Jan. 6th & 7th in Chicago

It is with excitement we announce the culmination of our film festival and special screenings of The Day Carl Sandburg Died with two presentations of the film at the Poetry Foundation in Chicago on the anniversary of Carl Sandburg's birthday on Friday, January 6th at 7:00 pm and and Saturday January 7th, 2012 at 3:00 pm.  These screenings help celebrate the centennial celebration of Poetry Magazine, the publication that rocketed Carl Sandburg to the forefront of American poetry in 1914.  Both screenings are free and open to the public but seating is limited.  The film's director, Paul Bonesteel will be present for both screenings along with Chicago poet Marc Kelly Smith, who appears in the film for a post screening discussion.

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Back to Illinois & Remembrance Rock.

Back to Illinois & Remembrance Rock. — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Director Paul Bonesteel presenting the film at the Black Earth Film Festival, Galesburg Ill.  With three screening last week, we continue to share The Day Carl Sandburg Died, this time in Sandburg's hometown of Galesburg Illinois. First at the Black Earth Film Festival and then the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urban.  In the audience were some folks who had known Sandburg, and others who have studied his life and work for years and younger students who were learning about Sandburg for the first time which made these screenings and Q&A a lot of fun.  A frequent conversation is about the how Sandburg's work and his messages are so needed today.  Back south, we screened the film at Wofford College in Spartanburg SC, much thanks to Sandburg scholar and classical guitarist Jhon Akers, who has supported the film since we began.

Presenting the film at the Black Earth Film Festival, Galesburg Ill.  While I was there I got to visit with poet/historian Robin Metz and talk about the film, it's six year journey and projects to come.  I stopped by the Sandburg State Historic Site and paid my respect to Remembrance Rock, the place where Carl and Paula's ashes were places.

Paying respects to Carl and Paula Sandburg's resting place, Galesburg Ill.

Remembrance Rock  Along the pathway surrounding the rock are quotes of Sandburg's and one that I had not seen before struck me as particularly fitting; It said "After the sunsets on the prairie there are only the stars.  The stars stand alone."  Indeed the prairie can be a lonely place but as Sandburg said in The People, Yes, its "a shovel of stars for keeps"... and I'm thankful for the people that helped make this film and helped to make the screenings possible.  I was surrounded by friends in remembering Sandburg at all these screenings.

Screening at University of Illinois Library, September 2011

Next the film will screen at Aperture Theater, Winston Salem, NC October 2rd 2011
Next stop, the film goes back to Winston Salem where it premiered in April and a special screening at Aperture Cinema on October 2nd.  Penelope Niven and I will both be in attendance.

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

More festivals and screenings scheduled!

More festivals and screenings scheduled! — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Since the film's premiere in April, thousands of people have seen documentary at festivals and screenings. Late this summer and into the fall we are excited to continue sharing the film at some exciting events.  They include; Carolina Mountains Literary Festival, September 8 Black Earth film festival in Galesburg Ill.,  Sept 15th Univ. Of Ill. Champaign-Urbana, Sept 16th Wofford College, Spartanburg SC, Sept. 19th Aperture Cinema, Winston Salem, NC Sunday, Oct. 2nd Southern Appalachian International Film Festival-Oct. 27 The Flat Rock premiere on July 26th was a phenomenal event, raising money for the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and sharing the film with more than 500 folks, across the street from Sandburg's final home.  Thank you to everyone who made the event such a success. [caption id="attachment_362" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The audience enters the Flat Rock Playhouse"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_363" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Director Paul Bonesteel and Carl Sandburg Home Superintendant Connie Backlund"][/caption]

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Flat Rock Playhouse screening nearly sold out!

Flat Rock Playhouse screening nearly sold out! — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

We're happy to report that there will be tickets for the Flat Rock Playhouse screening of the film are selling and selling fast! The screening is a benefit for The Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, they're a fantastic non-profit and were integral in supporting the making of the film. If you aren't already, please join us on Tuesday, July 26th at the Flat Rock Playhouse for a reception and screening, but you better get those tickets soon! Also, check out this great article by Carol Rifkin of the Asheville Citizen-Times!  

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

July screenings of The Day Carl Sandburg Died recall the poet's life

July screenings of The Day Carl Sandburg Died recall the poet's life — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Two major screenings of the film surround the anniversary of Carl Sandburg's death (which occurred on July 22nd 1967) to audiences that are closely linked to the story of Sandburg. First in Chicago on July 23rd, The Day Carl Sandburg Died will screen in the city where Sandburg emerged as a ground-breaking poet and journalist in the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival.  And then on Tuesdsay, July 26th the film will screen at the Flat Rock Playhouse across the street from his final home in Flat Rock, N.C. which became a National Historic Site celebrating his life.  This screening is a fundraising event for The Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, a group dedicating in supporting the National Historic Site and Sandburg's legacy. Director Paul Bonesteel will be at both events and will conduct a Q&A session after each screening.

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Asheville WordFest screening a big success

Asheville WordFest screening a big success — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

A big thanks to everyone who helped make the Asheville, North Carolina premiere of The Day Carl Sandburg Died such a success, screening before more than four hundred people. Thank you Neal Reed (Fine Arts Theatre), Laura Hope-Gill (of Wordfest), Neeley Dawson (Bonesteel Films) for working so hard to make it happen. Both audiences were great, and it reminded me of why I do this... when lights go down and the story unfolds on screen, for me that's where the magic of filmmaking really happens. The comments and questions after about Sandburg and the film encourage me that the film has a powerful relevance to today's social and political climate. I've felt for some time that Sandburg's story and work would resonate with people today and it's great to see and hear that happen.  Check back here often to see news about future screenings and other press! [caption id="attachment_329" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Asheville WordFest Premiere of The Day Carl Sandburg Died"][/caption]  

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

The Story Behind the Film

The Story Behind the Film — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

 

Asheville's Mountain Xpress's just published an article about the making of The Day Carl Sandburg Died documentary and the Asheville premeire May 3rd and 7th.

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Sandburg doc and Winston-Salem's RiverRun festival reviewed online

Sandburg doc and Winston-Salem's RiverRun festival reviewed online — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Winston Salem's RiverRun International Film Festival's line up, including The Day Carl Sandburg Died documentary was reviewed by Winston Salem's Yes Weekly, with a flattering little nugget about the film, "masterfully constructed and inspirational visual essay on the legendary poet, writer and folk singer"... This precedes the world premiere on, April 15th, 16th and 17th!

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Three Sold Out Screenings at RiverRun Int. Film Festival!

Three Sold Out Screenings at RiverRun Int. Film Festival! — The Day Carl Sandburg Died

Three sold out screenings and a wonderful response from the audience made the world premiere of The Day Carl Sandburg Died at the RiverRun International Film Festival a fantastic experience.  The festival was extremely well organized by the festival staff and volunteers.  The venues at A/perture and the N.C. School of the Arts were excellent.

It was especially rewarding to have Penelope Niven, Sandburg's biographer and vital contributor to our film, attend the festival and participate in the Q&A after the screenings.  Most exciting was the numerous comments about how relevant the film was in today's social and political environment.

[Director Paul Bonesteel and Author/Biographer Penelope Niven on the red carpet before the Saturday screening]

People told me over and over again how much they feel this film needs to be seen. Thank you Riverrun for an amazing world premiere.

"A delightful and uplifting amalgam of archival footage, commentary, spoken word performance and songbook selections, the film is a worthy edifice to a monumental American." -Christopher Holmes, Riverrun International Film Festival 

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The Day Carl Sandburg Died

World Premiere!

The world premiere of The Day Carl Sandburg Died documentary film has been set for RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston Salem, North Carolina, April 15,16,17, 2011.

Carl Sandburg died in July of 1967, but director Paul Bonesteel finds his life story and his creative legacy as relevant and provocative as it was in 1916 when his "Chicago Poems" changed American poetry. “Labor unrest, global wars, socialism, immigration and race issues… this was the subject matter that fueled Sandburg for much of his poetry and writing that shocked the world.” comments Bonesteel. “The intensity of his work was over simplified later in his life. He was both an anarchist and a deeply patriotic American.”

The Day Carl Sandburg Died was more than six years in the making with a cast of more than twenty notable scholars, performers and Sandburg family members. Sandburg’s daughter Helga Sandburg Crile, Pete Seeger, Norman Corwin and the late Studs Terkel contribute to the film along with contemporary poets Marc Smith, Ted Kooser and others. Also contributing significantly to the film is Sandburg Biographer and Winston Salem resident Penelope Niven.

Both Director Bonesteel and Niven will be present at the RiverRun screenings for Q&A. Tickets are available at www.riverrunfilm.com

The Day Carl Sandburg Died, Trailer!

We are excited to say that The Day Carl Sandburg Died will have its world premiere in April at a prestigious festival. More news on that as soon as we can announce it. Until then enjoy the trailer!

The Day Carl Sandburg Died documentary film trailer from Paul Bonesteel on Vimeo.

"the man committed to total anarchy"

"Outstanding! Beautiful! You were able to pull the man committed to total anarchy into the man who was a poet, musician, and family man. I am so happy that you showed him to be a revolutionary." -John Steichen (Sandburg's grandson, pictured above)

As we await responses from twenty or so film festivals we've entered I've been getting very meaningful responses from people who have screened the film, including many of the participants and interviewees. Many of these people have lived inside the story, knowing Sandburg closely.



John Steichen described Helga, his mother and lone surviving daughter of Sandburg, as "delighted and totally captivated" by the film.

Norman Corwin, (pictured below having breakfast with Sandburg in the late '50's) declared; "You have done a noble service to the memory of Sandburg and to his of readers in the making of this film".



I have high expectations for the film, but none higher than to be true to the story, and comments like these help me to already consider it a success. Stay tuned for updates as we get news from some of the major festivals that will be announcing soon, and in addition we are working towards a number of events here in North Carolina, Illinois, New York and Nebraska.

PS: The film's trailer is coming soon!

The Sounds of Sandburg

What a film sounds like is one of the important subtleties of film making. It was important to me that The Day Carl Sandburg Died had both an emotional and inventive score. The primary creator of this 'soundscape' is a brilliant composer and performer named Zoe Keating. Zoe plays the cello and composes while looping layers of her instrument. A few years ago our editor at Bonesteel Films, Evan Schafer heard an episode of WNYC's Radiolab featuring Zoe and he encouraged me to give her a listen. Her music is an evocative combination of classical cello and modern sounds, leaving room for the listener's imagination. I experimented with the music under the work-in-progress film and the combination was perfect. Check out her web page for samples of her music, especially her newest release "Into The Trees". We were also fortunate to be able to include Sufjan Stevens anthemic "Chicago" bring a modern background score to the section of the film that dives into the story of one of Carl Sandburg's most well known poems by the same name.

Another critical element in the sound of the film is the narrator, and we are really fortunate to have found a wonderful storyteller names Davis Bates. Davis' voice helps tell the story with an intensity and subtlety that makes for wonderful mix with Zoe's music. There is an abundance of other 'sounds' in the film with Sandburg's voice reading portions of his autobiography, poetry and a number of songs from his "American Songbag". And finally, Asheville composer and sound designer Bruce Sales crafted together the finished mix. All this and much more coming to a film festival, theater and PBS in the coming year! As always, say hello and stay tuned.

What is in the name?

The Day Carl Sandburg Died might strike some as a bit of a strange title for a film. I chose it to both pique curiosity and to make clear that this is not a standard biographical film. Its designed to bring Sandburg into the present. Its a film that challenges the viewer to think about the creative forces that were at work in Sandburg and how he was shaped by the volatile times he lived through, but more importantly, the modern relevance and reasons Sandburg is being rediscovered today.

The actual day he died, July 22, 1967 was an otherwise normal July day in Flat Rock, North Carolina. But his death marked the end of one of the most creative, prolific, expressive and influential lives yet lived by an American.



The Day Carl Sandburg Died is an 84 minute film that is almost finished. It will be officially released in early 2011 and I look forward to sharing it with you. Stay tuned to this blog for more news.

Illustrating Sandburg's Rootabaga Stories

Sometimes when you're making a film you gotta swing for the fences. Pick some 'best case' option and go for it. That's pretty much what I did with the artist David Cowles. I knew I wanted to illustrate/animate one of Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Stories for our film "The Day Carl Sandburg Died" so I took a look at some animation that I really liked on-line and loved what he had done for the band They Might Be Giants but I really didn't think he would be available or affordable. So I sent him an e-mail and the next thing I knew (much to his credit) he was working on it. Sometimes you just gotta ask.

Telling the fascinating story of Sandburg writing his wonderfully ahead of its time children's fiction (shortly after almost being arrested for espionage!) was always an important part of the film, but it had to have images as wacky and bizarre as the stories themselves... Thanks to David and his friend and animator Jeremy Galante, and even David's daughter's band "The Girls" contributing a fantastic yukalaylee song they marvelously created Sandburg's village of liver and onions from his Rootabaga Stories. Its a wonderful journey into the surreal portion of Carl Sandburg's brain. I can't wait for everyone to see it when the film premiers.

Thanks again David, Jeremy and Alison.

Where to? What Next? And the importance of asking that question

A significant question that gets asked in our film is when Studs Terkel echos Carl Sandburg's famous line from The People, Yes, "Where to? What Next?". Studs asks; "What other question can we ask today?" And in asking this he reminds the viewer of how eternal that question is, for us a individuals and for the United States as a nation.

Sandburg's original question and Studs' modern reference to it is really what this film is about. A window into the work and current relevance of Sandburg. Studs Terkel died on this day, October 31st, 2008, but his vast body of work and his contribution to our film will be enjoyed for many years into the future. He opened his doors and his mind to our project, and for that I am extremely grateful.

As we move towards finishing the film this month, entering it in countless film festivals and negotiating distribution possibilities this blog will change. Very frequently I am going to be celebrating some of the important people and moment that appear in the film. Please become a 'follower' of this blog and join the journey as we being to share the film with the world.

On November 2nd, the Asheville paper wrote a nice article about our status, thanks to Jason Sandford for that coverage. Take a look here.

Thank you.