GIRLS ROCK!
Directed by Arne Johnson & Shane King
United States, 91 mins.
Documentary
Friday, 6:20 pM, The Grand Theater
Rock Star Amelia & Artistic Director of Rock 'n Roll Camp For Girls Marisa Anderson in Attendance!
Weaving interviews of campers and counselors together with insightful feminist factoids and an amazing femme-rock score, Girls Rock! follows the journey of four 8- to 18-year-olds as they come from all over the country to learn do-it-yourself-style rock: forming bands, writing songs and building community. Through camp, these girls, who hail from a wide variety of backgrounds, discover a lifeboat in the swirling seas of conformity and peer pressure, an experiment in empowerment that leaves none of them unchanged. Given the opportunity to bash the drums, wail like banshees, and take up space with finesse and flair, the girls jettison gender stereotypes like old hats on their way to a joyous final concert that will change their lives forever. Tearjerker and rockumentary are two genres that don't generally go hand in hand, but you’ll need both your hanky and your Joan Jett lighter for this encouraging boost. Its inspirational message is one that both girls and parents alike will benefit from.
Filmography: First Feature
Awards: Nevada City Film Festival Jury Award; Tallgrass Film Festival Audience Award
Showing with the short films
Girls Room
Directed by Maria Gigante
United States, 10 mins.A timid schoolgirl discovers there is nothing more frightening than having to go to the old, creepy restroom down the hall – by her self…
Whirling Dervish
Directed by William Fisher
United States, 3 mins.Filmmaker William Fisher In Attendance!
In this intimate portrayal of the power of memory and dreams, a little girl reads a letter from the past.
William Fisher (Director of Whirling Dervish)
William Fisher is an ornamental welder who has lived in Colorado for the past eleven years. After graduating from Ohio University he wrote and edited documentary films for the A&E Network. He has recently made two short films which have played at film festivals around the country.
Amelia Rasmussen-Berger (Rock Star!)
Amelia AKA "'Am Berger" lives in Portland, and is currently in the fifth grade at The International School. She has played in a band called KING with her best friend Bella for the past two years, and still does. She doesn't write songs about her Chihuahua Pippi anymore. Her favorite artist is Avril Lavigne, right now. She plays soccer, sews, acts and plays guitar. Her favorite song that she has made up is 'Am Berger,' a song about Hamburgers.
Marisa Anderson (Artistic Director of Rock 'n Roll Camp For Girls)
www.girlsrockcamp.org
Before arriving in Portland in 1999, Marisa Anderson traveled with a circus through southern Mexico, played guitar in the Dolly Ranchers, and helped create the One Railroad Circus in Santa Fe, New Mexico. When Marisa is not at Rock Camp, she plays guitar in the Evolutionary Jass Band and performs as a solo artist. Her debut solo recording Holiday Motel was a 2006 Outmusic nominee for Best Female Debut Record. Marisa’s music has been featured in many soundtracks including, For the Love of Dolly and Girls Rock!
