The Real Dirt on Farmer John
Farmer John bravely transforms his farm amidst a failing economy, vicious rumors, and arson .
Lethbridge, AB
Tuesday November 18, 2008
Screening begins 19h00
Venue: Galileo's Gallery, Students' Union Building, University of Lethbridge
Taggart Siegel / USA / 2007 / 82 Minutes
“My ancestors have farmed this land generation after generation, and I just about ended the whole thing. What do you do when nothing is left? And in a rural community where you aren’t welcome because you’re kind of different.” —Farmer John Peterson
For close to a century, a great American epic has been played out in the tiny town of Caledonia, Illinois, about 75 miles west of Chicago. THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN tells the story of one man, his farm and his family—a story that parallels the history of American farming. But Farmer John is no laconic, Grant Wood-type with a scowl and a pitchfork. Equal parts performance artist, writer and farmer, John Peterson has been known to switch out of his overalls into leopard latex or a purple-feathered boa.
The Real Dirt on Farmer John will turn every idea you ever had about what it means to be an American farmer, or an American dreamer, on its head.
Produced by Scott Ray Becker
Co-producer Terri Lang
Original Music by
Mark Orton
Cinematography by
Taggart Siegel
Film Editing by
Greg Snider
Sound Department
Barney Jones .... sound designer
Editorial Department
Jim Granato .... archival film cutter
Alissa Levy .... assistant editor
Jim McSilver .... additional editor
Jim McSilver .... on-line editor
Angela Reginato .... additional editor
Laurie Schmidt .... additional editor
Molli Simon .... post-production coordinator
5 wins for audience award, jury prize, best documentary feature, special jury award, and another audience award in 2005.
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