Island film lovers will have a summer-long pick of interesting films among three interesting series: Martha's Vineyard Film Society's Summer Films (MVFS), just starting up; the Summer Institute Film Series at the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center; and the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival (MVFF) at the Chilmark Community Center.
A scene from "Noodle."
MVFS's showing of "Mine," at the Oak Bluffs Tabernacle, is directed by Geralyn Pezanoski, who will attend the 8 pm screening and answer questions. It tells the poignant story of New Orleans pets, their caretakers and original owners in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Island adopters of Katrina pets will be admitted to the screening free of charge.
When mandatory evacuation of New Orleans began in August 2005, thousands of animals were left behind. Motels, hotels, and shelters refused to take in pets, and many evacuees, believing they would return home in days, left their cats and dogs behind with food and water. No one expected the level of devastation that occurred or the length of the dislocation.
"We realized you couldn't rely on the government in a disaster like this," one of the bitter evacuees says. Already overwhelmed by residents' needs, the government made no provisions for their pets.
A scene from "Mine."
Ms. Pezanoski shows heartrending images, taken in the aftermath of the 21st century's worst storm in the U.S., of dogs left on rooftops, cats peering from hiding places. By September, volunteers poured into the city to help rescue animals, even though residents were still banned.
The issues grew unexpectedly complicated. Most of the animals had to be transported to shelters in other parts of the country. They needed vaccinations and microchips for identification. Used to keeping animals for a maximum of five days, shelters adopted out Katrina pets before their owners had time to reclaim them. Some of those adopters would not relinquish their new pets when the owners turned up.
Ms. Pezanoski lets this remarkable story tell itself without imposing embellishment. It reveals shocking tales of rescuers who didn't think the residents who had "abandoned" their pets, whether unwillingly or not, should get them back.
Through the stories of a handful of evacuees, "Mine" demonstrates the importance of the connection between people and animals. For Jessie, who spent many years homeless on the streets of New Orleans, his dog J.J. symbolized rehabilitation. Evacuators had to carry out a woman named Gloria, who refused to leave without her beloved black lab, Murphy.
The good news is that many residents were reunited with their pets, and they often forged new friendships with the people who cared for their pets in the interim. Congress responded by passing the Pets Evacuation & Transportation Standards Act, which requires states to accommodate pets in their emergency planning.
Next week, the Hebrew Center's Summer Institute Film Series is showing "Noodle," a heartwarming, intelligent comedy. Introduced by Roni Yedida, Israeli Consulate General, it will be shown Sunday, July 12, at 7:30 pm.
Miri (Mili Avital) is a twice-widowed El Al flight attendant, living in Tel Aviv, whose sister Gila (Anat Waxman) and niece Yaeli (Roni Yuria) have moved in with her. Living in the same building is Gila's estranged husband Izzy (Alon Butbul), who still carries a torch for his wife.
Miri's Chinese house cleaner runs out to do an errand, and disappears, leaving her son (Bao-qi Chen) behind. The Israeli family has to stop squabbling long enough to figure out what to do. They name the little boy Noodle for the Chinese food he gobbles up. One of the primary dilemmas is that he doesn't speak Hebrew or English. Noodle's abandonment serves as a clever device for revealing the personalities of the various family members and showing how they interact. Director Ayelet Menahemi injects the storyline with plenty of humor and insight about human nature. "Noodle" also becomes an effective way to explore the problem of illegal immigration in Israel.
Also playing next week is MVFF's "The Cove," which will be presented at the Chilmark Community Center on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 pm. Directed by Louie Psihoyos, this documentary tells the story of how former dolphin trainer Ric OBarry joins with the Ocean Preservation Society to bring to light the abuse of dolphins by a group of Japanese fishermen.
"The Cove" was not available for preview, but it is worth noting that Mr. Psihoyos is an award-winning former National Geographic photographer. The film premiered in March at the New Directors New Films series of the Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Before the 8 pm screening of "The Cove," MVFF's Cinema Circus will present "Animal Crackers" at 5 pm This group of short films features an insect that collects bugs, a bear who travels to an island in the Baltic Sea, and a little girl who befriends a herd of elephants.
"Mine," Tuesday, July 14, 8 pm., the Camp Meeting Association's Tabernacle, Oak Bluffs. Tickets $8 ($5 for MVFS members). Doors open at 7:30 pm.
"Noodle," Sunday, July 12, 7:30 pm, M.V. Hebrew Center, Vineyard Haven. Tickets $10.
"The Cove," Wednesday, July 15, 8 pm, Chilmark Community Center, Chilmark. Tickets $12 ($6 for members of MVIFF, $5 for kids). Tickets available at Community Center box office from 5 p.m. or online at mviff.org until noon of screening day.
Brooks Robards writes on film, art, and books for The Times.
