Jun
23
2

The Last Hurrah

I fly out to JFK tomorrow morning. Beer Wars was invited to be the closing film at the NYC Food film Festival. It’s a big event with food, craft beer and of course movies. And the best part is, I’m not planning it. I get to be an invited guest. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’ll say on stage (in front of the crowd of 800 they’re expecting in a giant tent under the Brooklyn Bridge). How do I sum up something that has consumed me for over four years? Especially now, that the journey is ending. At least for me.

Of course the film will live on and new people will discover it in years to come. But for me, it’s time to move on. And so Sunday night is my last hurrah. My chance to reflect. I do hope that the film has made a difference. One that lasts and grows.

I’m looking forward to seeing Sam and Rhonda who have been on this journey with me. I will bring them up on stage after the screening to take their bow. After all, without them, there wouldn’t be a movie as their stories provide its heart and soul.

So what will I say? Thank you. Because despite the challenges, I’m still grateful after all these years.

FILED UNDER: Community, News
Comment

2 Responses to “The Last Hurrah”

  1. Taylor says:
    July 1, 2010 at 7:11 PM

    I’m not alone in being exceedingly grateful that you have put so much work into this film. Beer Wars is absolutely fantastic, and can’t thank you enough for opening my eyes to a culture that I now hold very near and dear to my heart.

  2. Donald Willis says:
    August 9, 2010 at 8:00 AM

    This film was both insightful and informative at the same time. For years I have consumed only ” craft beer” and could not understand why It did not put the ” evil 3 ” out of business, or at the very least see major growth in the craft beer industry.

    Now I know why, and I will proudly support the craft beer industry not just for the flavor, and love they put in their product but because of the passion and work they put in just to stay in business.

    This is what America is about, not big business or wally-world, but the products real Americans produce that you will never see.

    Cheers and bottoms up.

Oenophiles have SIDEWAYS and BOTTLE SHOCK; now their beer-loving counterparts can claim a film as their own.
- Rotten Tomatoes
A David and Goliath story pitting the country's smallest brewers against the largest.
- CNN
Beer Wars: Brewed in America, is an eye-opening, funny and righteously infuriating documentary by first-time filmmaker Anat Baron. Her film (think of it as Suds: A Love Story) is also a pretty damning indictment of not just the beer industry but contemporary unfettered unregulated capitalism's disturbing excesses.
- Box Office Magazine
In Beer Wars, entrepreneurialism and opportunity go awry when tainted by greed and a thirst for power.
- Los Angeles Times
Beer Wars certainly raises some interesting questions, the most potent of which is, is this what capitalism is meant to be?
- New Times
For those who are keeping the American dream alive, this spirited documentary raises a toast.
- St Louis Post-Dispatch
A trenchant analysis unapologetic in its rebuke of Big Beer, Beer Wars is heartily recommended for patrons already inclined to opt for the local brew at every tap. It will also appeal to patrons interested in craft foods as well as homebrewed beer and wine and others particular about quality.
- Library Journal