“Lost Sea Expedition” Screens Friday, November 30 at EQUUS Film Festival (12p)

The EQUUS Film Festival runs Nov 29 – Dec 2, 2018, in Brooklyn, NY. The festival is dedicated to all things horse, mule and donkey and features movies from around the world.

News just in that the Lost Sea Expedition is scheduled to be the first movie to be screened at the 2018 EQUUS Film Festival in New York City. The movie about mule Polly’s wagon voyage joins other movies ranging from gypsy wagon life and Marwari cavalry horses to the California vaquero.  Festival bonus: this is the first time the Lost Sea Expedition, originally released as a series, will be shown as a feature-length film.

Where: Wythe Hotel Cinema
N 11th St & Brewers Row & Wythe Avenue – Brooklyn, NY 11249
80 Wythe Avenue – Brooklyn, NY 11249

When: Friday, November 30, 2018

Time: 12pm

Click through for the entire schedule.

2018 EQUUS Film Festival 

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2018 SCHEDULE
 
12:00 pm
THE LOST SEA EXPEDITION (2018) USA
90:00 min / Directed by: Bernie Harberts
Equestrian Documentary – Full Length (over 30 minutes)
The “Lost Sea Expedition” is the 4-part series about Bernie Harberts’ 14-month wagon voyage from Canada to Mexico. Filmed with only the gear he carried in his one mule wagon, the series provides an in-depth look at life on the road with a mule, the people of the Great Plains and the ancient sea that covered the middle of America.
1:35 pm
WE ARE MEDIEVAL TIMES CHICAGO A DOCUMENTARY (2018) USA
59:37 min / Directed by: Colleen Ochab
Equestrian Documentary – Full Length (over 30 minutes)
Have you ever wondered what it is like to work at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Schaumburg, Illinois? Check out this in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at the Chicago castle atmosphere and hear the stories of 18 amazing team members that make a show possible!
Since this documentary was made, the Chicago castle has now released its BRAND NEW SHOW titled SOVEREIGN featuring a sole female ruler as Queen of the realm. Come out to see the same amazing environment (and people) as featured in this documentary with a new, fresh storyline and new costumes!
2:40
WISE HORSEMANSHIP AT FREEDOM FARM (2018) USA
16:00 min / Directed by: Mary Gallagher
Equestrian Documentary – Short (under 30 minutes)
Wise Horsemanship at Freedom Farm introduces the vision and guiding principles behind the equestrian magic of Freedom Farm, Port Angeles, Washington. Owner/lead trainer Mary Gallagher narrates over moving scenes of herd life, daily work and play at Freedom Farm.
Mary’s fascination with horses began at the age of six and has never ceased. She is a versatile trainer and clinician, combining her knowledge of show jumping and natural horsemanship to reach new dimensions of balance and communication between rider and horse. Mary has ridden for world-renowned instructors, trained with Olympic riders, and personally hosted A-rated shows in Washington State, all while adopting and developing principles of natural horsemanship. She has a lifetime of knowledge, experience, and passion for horses and horsemanship. Her personal instruction and clinics emphasize connection, communication, and cooperation.
3:00 pm
THE CALIFORNIA VAQUERO JEFF SANDERS (2018) IRELAND
40:21 min / Directed by: Elaine Heney
Equestrian International – Documentary 
Jeff Sanders is a sixth-generation Californian horseman. Jeff travels around the world teaching horsemanship and preserving the traditions of old Spanish California. This is his documentary.
 
3:45 pm
SILENT COMRADE – (2018) GERMANY
88:00 min / Directed by: Leonhard Hollmann
Horses Helping Humans
The documentary SILENT COMRADE accompanies three soldiers that are trying to find a way back to life with the help of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD. Where conventional medicine is limited, Claudia Swiercek fills the gap with her horses.
“Horses are mirrors of the soul.” With this sentence in mind, I went on a journey through Mongolia in the summer of 2014, accompanied by two horses. After five weeks in the saddle, I still hadn’t come to a full understanding of what that saying was supposed to mean. Shortly after my return to Germany, I met Claudia Swierczek who told me about her Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for traumatized soldiers. I was fascinated by the thought of these sensitive animals helping soldiers to cope with their traumas. “Pony Pastorale” and soldiers – how could these two possibly go together? And how does Claudia Swierczek manage to help even with the allegedly hopeless cases? SILENT COMRADE attends the therapy sessions as a silent observer and allows access to Claudia Swiercek’s unique form of therapy. It takes an intimate look at three characters, who talk about the causes and consequences of their traumas with an unusual openness and sincerity. Through their interaction with the horses, their invisible wounds become visible and palpable.
 
5:15 pm
WILD HORSE ROAD TRIP BRINGING HOME THE SOUL SISTER MUSTANGS (2018) USA
59:00 min / Directed by: Mary Jordan
Equestrian Inspirational Documentary – Under 60 Minutes
Join an adventure in ‘Trusting More’ as one wild family takes off across the United States in an RV named ‘Grace’ to adopt two bonded wild Mustang mares, the ‘Soul Sisters’, and bring them back to their forever home.
6:20 pm
THE LAST RIDE (2018) USA
05:00 min / Directed by: Michael Aku RoDriguez 
Category: Wild Horse Music Video
 
6:25 pm
THEIR LAST RIDE (2018) USA
44:31 min / Directed by: Michael Aku RoDriguez 
Equestrian Documentary – Full Length (over 30 minutes) 
A “Trail Of Tears” direct descendant Cherokee woman’s personal journey that informs & reflects into the world of horse slaughter. Bringing awareness to the issues affecting horses, both Wild & Domestic, and connects people to the spirit of the Horse through multicultural participation and co-creation through all the ARTS.
7:15 pm
LIFE IN THE DOGHOUSE (2018) USA
84:00 min / Directed by: Ron Davis (Harry & Snowman)
Going To The Dogs 
LIFE IN THE DOG HOUSE tells the inspiring life stories of Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta and the remarkable work they do at Danny & Ron’s Rescue. Ten years and 10,000 dogs later, their unique approach to life and dog rescue will capture hearts and inspire millions to make the right choices when it comes to man’s best friend.
 
8:45 pm
FOUL PLAY (2018) NETHERLANDS
80:00 min / Directed by: Annette van Trigt
Trailer:
Equestrian International – Documentary
Downfall of an Olympic Show Jumping Stable
The long arm of the law has caught up with a white-collar criminal in the Netherlands, who also happens to have a tremendous passion for show jumping horses. His internationally successful Olympic show jumping stable is now facing the prospect of going under. The hunt is on for London, a champion horse and winner of 2 silver medals at the Olympic Games in 2012. Top jockey Schröder must now continue to perform under enormous pressure, while he can do no more than sit on the sidelines as the owner is involved in a bitter battle against the banks to stay afloat.
 
10:15 pm
ROMANY RAI (2018) UK
59:00 min / Directed by: Tom Lloyd
Equestrian Documentary – Full Length (over 30 minutes)
A Romany Rai can be described as a Gypsy gentleman and scholar, or a non-Gypsy who is respected by Gypsies.
Walter LLoyd, who died at the age of 93 in January 2018, was one of only a few ‘gorgios’ (house dwellers) who had the trust of the Gypsy and Traveller community. He counted many Gypsies as his friends, and his knowledge of the Romany language, Gypsy tribes, history and customs made him a truly modern-day Romany Rai.
Since he was a small boy, filmmaker Tom LLoyd has traveled with his father Walter to Appleby Fair, the largest Gypsy horse fair in Europe. Since 1995 Tom has been filming these journeys traveling in a bow-top wagon pulled by their home-bred Fell ponies, creating an extraordinary collection of moving images. Romany Rai includes previously unseen film footage taken by the Gypsies themselves in the 1960s.
Not since Magnum photographer Josef Koudelka traveled among Gypsies and Travellers in the 1980s has an artist had such sustained and intimate access into this world. Romany Rai weaves together candid conversations about Gypsy and Traveller culture with stunning images and gritty fireside music sessions.
Featuring Billy Welch (Shera Rom or Head Gypsy), his family and many other Gypsies, Travellers, horsemen and women who Walter encountered on this extraordinary journey.
 
POP-UP GALLERY FILMS
 
12:00 pm
WILD POTTOKAS HORSES (2018) SPAIN
51:00 min / Diercted by: Javier Ortega
Wild Horse – Documentary – Full Length (over 30 min)
How is the life of horses when they live in the wild?
Answering this question is the engine that launched the scientific project created and led by Lucy Rees, unique for its characteristics in Europe, in the mountainous north of Extremadura (Spain). And it is also the starting point of our documentary film.
We will have Rees, an expert in equine behavior of extensive experience as well as writer of essays on equine behavior and fiction, as narrator of his adventure, which began bringing a group of horses of race pottoka, considered the oldest that exists thanks to DNA studies, to a space where they could live in freedom and without any human management to study their behavior.
 
1:00 pm
EQUUS WORLDWIDE INDIA (2018) UK
23:00 min / Directed by: Philippa Waddell
Equestrian International – Documentary
Marwari is an ancient breed from the Marwar region in Rajasthan, India. They are identified by their distinctive inward curling ears and are particularly admired for their intelligence. They are considerably smaller than their European counterparts but have been used as cavalry horses in India throughout history due to their loyalty and bravery. Today, they are also popular for a diverse range of purposes – from use in special ceremonies such as weddings; to endurance trekking and ‘dancing’. The program allows us to learn more about these fascinating creatures and the local people who breed, train and love them.
 
1:30 pm
HIS NAME IS MIDNIGHT (2018) USA
28:05 min / Directed by: Kelly Colbert
Equestrian Documentary – Short (under 30 minutes)
The true story of a horse, a prince of Big Sky Country, who was bred for strength and rodeo glory but discarded through a chain of events to auction and, ultimately, human cruelty. His name and his lineage were forgotten. But his royal pedigree and his upbringing in the Badlands of Montana instilled in him the strength and tenacity that allowed him to survive his journey through neglect and starvation until he was found and his name and heritage rediscovered.
 
2:00 pm
WENDY FRIENDS FOREVER (2017) GERMANY
97:00 min / Directed by: Hanno Olderdisse
Equestrian Children’s Film – International
Wendy has been living happily at Rosenborg stables for a year. Yet the financial situation of the estate is dire. As Wendy learns about a tournament organized by the nearby modern riding stable, she decides she has to win! With the prize money, she might be able to save Rosenborg. But her trained circus horse Dixie is not a jumper and sure doesn’t feel like changing careers. When a traumatized tournament horse called Penny arrives at Rosenborg, Wendy immediately recognizes her potential, even though she is scared of jumping. Now Dixie starts to feel neglected and Wendy faces a tall order; she has to save her friendship with Dixie while helping Penny to overcome her fear and win the competition!
 
3:40 pm
SOFT FEEL AND LIGHT HORSES STEVE HALFPENNY (2018) IRELAND
80:00 min / Directed by: Elaine Heney
NEW – Equestrian Inspirational Documentary – Over 60 Minutes
“As I spend my time helping people with their horses, one thing that always sticks in the back of my mind is ‘I wonder if they have any idea of what is possible, with the horse they already own”. Steve Halfpenny. What if there was more to communicating with horses? Could you truly build a relationship of trust and confidence with your horse using feel, timing, balance, empathy and light hands? This is the new movie based on the life of Steve Halfpenny, the remarkable Australian horseman. “Soft Feel and Light Horses” is directed by award-winning filmmaker Elaine Heney, with music by the Grammy-nominated Mary Ann Kennedy.
5:05 pm
A DEVON PONY CLUB CAMP (2018) UK
22:05 min / Directed by: Philippa Waddell
Equestrian Documentary – Short (under 30 minutes) -English
A Devon Pony Club Club
Watch the exciting events of the Mid Devon Hunt Pony Club unfolding through the eyes of 10-year-old Biba, as she attends their annual camp at Bicton Arena. From the early starts, feeding and looking after their ponies, the nerves of the first ride, the excitement of cross country and the fun had and friendships that are made at their pony club camp.
 
5:30 pm
A NEW DIMENSION IN HORSE CONTROL (2018) ITALY
22:00 min / Directed by: Giacomo Cardone
Trailer: 
Equestrian Inspirational Documentary – Under 60 Minutes
This film is about the almost unknown possibility of training horses to be controlled when at liberty in completely open (unlimited) spaces, perhaps similar to how dogs can be trained.
6:00 pm
STEVE TV (2018) IRELAND
23:28 min / Directed by: Elaine Heney
Equestrian Series -International 
Film description: Steve TV is the monthly new TV show with Australian horseman Steve Halfpenny. Tune in each month and watch case studies, meet great horses from around the world and get all the latest news and insights from Steve Halfpenny, the #1 best-selling author, award-winning film-maker, international clinician and founder of Light Hands Equitation. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Elaine Heney.
6:30 pm
LESSONS AT LIBERTY AMIRA’S CASE STUDY (2018) USA
90:00 min / Directed by: Madison Shambaugh
Wild Horse – Documentary – Full Length
Inspirational Documentary – Over 60 Minutes
Follow young horsewoman, “Mustang Maddy,” as she explores the possibilities of the horse-human relationship with Amira, a former, wild horse out of chances. A series of events led Maddy to set out on a mission to train Amira to ride without her ever having worn any ropes or tack – in just one week.

More about the EQUUS Film Festival here.

 

 

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