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SCC film, The Stronger, chosen as finalist for the upcoming Bluegrass Independent Film Festival

Somerset Community College Theatre's Digital Video Productions film version of August Strindberg's play, "The Stronger" has been selected as one of Fourteen (14) finalists in the Short Film Category for a screening at the 2007 Bluegrass Independent Film Festival to be held in historic LaGrange, Kentucky, Sept. 7-9.

 

“Steve Cleberg and Sherry Crabtree have worked tirelessly to develop the SCC Theatre Department,” said Dr. Jo Marshall, the President and CEO of Somerset Community College. “This is quite an honor and it represents another first for Somerset Community College and the Kentucky and Community and Technical College System.”

 

The 3rd Annual Bluegrass Independent Film Festival has a reputation as the best film festival in this region. The festival is noted for its hospitality as attested to by the many filmmakers who attended the festival in 2005 and 2006.

 

The festival pays homage to innovative film making techniques of famous Hollywood Director D. W. Griffith, who was born in Oldham County in the city of LaGrange. Griffith’s first feature film was released just over 90 years ago.

 

SCC’s entry, "The Stronger" is a taut drama which holds under a microscope the modern conflict between man's need for independence and the stifling effects of society's expectations. The story takes place in 19th century Sweden and explores the pressing issues of modern society.

 

In the story, two women experience a chance meeting in a café following a rehearsal at a local experimental theatre. A former stage star, Madame X, who is now married to a powerful man of the theatre, has given up the stage and has settled into a life of domestic bliss. 

 

All of her assumptions are put to the test when she begins a conversation with the beautiful young actress who works at the theatre. The two are slowly drawn into a struggle in which they use subtle and unique tactics to determine which of them is the stronger.

 

The film premiered in the Stoner Little Theatre on April 28, 2007. The film was made possible, in part, through a grant from the Lake Cumberland Performing Arts, Cornelia Dozier Cooper Endowment Fund.

 

At that time, the film’s director SCC Theatre Director Steve Cleberg said, “"We're really excited about this project. This short film is a great vehicle to introduce SCC's new film wing." Cleberg also wrote the script for the film.

 

“The grant we received from LCPA was instrumental in our ability compose our most accomplished film piece to date,” Cleberg continued.

 

Some of the local locations used in the film include Charlotte Cash's home in Burkesville, The Marrowbone Heritage Society's Heritage Center, and the Victorian exterior of the pub at the Crestview Hills Town Center in Florence. The bulk of the filming was done in Somerset at property loaned by local attorney, Dean Stewart.

 

The cast of local actors includes Theresa Kibby as Madame X, Jade Ellis as Amelia in starring roles. Other local actors in the film include: Jeremy Boggs, Shane Morgan, Leslie Silvers, Todd Crabtree, David Daring, Ryan Stogsdill, Kim Toby, Barb Bray, Stephanie Wallen, Daniel and Lucas Walker along with Andrea Toby. Period costumes were designed and constructed by SCC Theatre Production Manager and Technical Director Sherry Crabtree. Musical scoring was provided by SCC Math Professor Tony Armstrong.  Among the crew were Elliot Cleberg, David Daring, and Vanesa Killen.  Stephanie Wallen served as the Production Manager.

 

"The Stronger" is one of 79 finalists drawn from over 200 entries from all over the world including Australia, Germany and the Czech Republic. It is one of fourteen finalists in the short films category which will compete for the "Best Short Film" award. The voting system is a weighted average scale that combines pre-festival screening juror ballots with festival audience ballots.

 

The Bluegrass Independent Film Festival will be held on September 7, 8 and 9 at the Oldham 8 Great Escape Theatre's in LaGrange. Tickets are now available for the event at the Festival's web site at.

 

Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Casey and Russell Counties. The website is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.

 

KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.

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