The Bozeman Doc Series continues Sunday, November 15th, at the Emerson Center with the critically-acclaimed documentary, In Transit.
The final film by legendary documentary filmmaker and 2013 National Arts Medal recipient Albert Maysles, In Transit captures the microcosm of society and interpersonal relationships that develop among passengers aboard Amtrak’s “Empire Builder”, the busiest long-distance train route in America. Created in partnership with Peabody Award-winning filmmakers Lynn True and Nelson Walker, In Transit is Maysles’ 40th directorial effort in a celebrated career that spanned over 50 years and included such seminal documentaries as Salesman, Gimme Shelter and Grey Gardens. In Transit world-premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, where it was awarded a “Special Jury Mention” in the World Documentary Competition.
Filmed over multiple trips in 2014 with access from Amtrak, In Transit unfolds as a portrait of America told through the personal stories of riders aboard the Empire Builder. As the train traverses the country, passing through major cities, suburbs, farmland, oil fields, mountains and forest, the diverse landscape serves as a complementary backdrop to the passengers’ hopes, fears and dreams.
In keeping with Maysles’ tradition of Direct Cinema, In Transit was filmed exclusively with handheld cameras, using unobtrusive sound equipment and available lighting only. Co-Directors Lynn True and Nelson Walker believe this organic approach to the process allowed subjects to share their stories with remarkable candor. “To film in this environment was very difficult. The tight quarters and constantly changing conditions required our crew to be flexible and leave a small footprint, often filming one on one. This enabled us to capture some incredibly intimate, personal moments that would likely have evaded us had our approach been less understated.”
“The cumulative effect of all of this is extremely profound. Human beings are treated with gentleness in “In Transit”, and so, in that environment, their hopes, dreams, worries, concerns, are allowed room to express themselves with no fear…All of it, every image, every interview, the passengers, the landscape outside, work together to create an insistent compelling pull.” Rogerebert.com
“As has long been the case in Maysles’s films, these characters speak for themselves. They evoke the world around them as profoundly as they inhabit it, and the resulting film is a gorgeous trip through the heart of the nation.” Nonfics
The series will continue with one screening every other Thursday through April. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the films begin at 7:00. Tickets are available at the door or before the show at Cactus Records and Movie Lovers. Tickets are also available online at www.bozemandocseries.org, where you can also buy Season Passes and 7-film punch cards, learn more about the series, and view trailers for upcoming films.
