Bonesteel film will put focus on Connemara

Good story here by the Hendersonville Times-News:

As part of a month-long celebration of America's national parks and historic sites, the local focus will zoom in on one of the Blue Ridge's crown jewels: the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock.

To prepare for this special month, which will peak with the airing of the new Ken Burns national parks documentary at the end of September, a series of special local events are planned.

The first and most dramatic is the premiere of "Where To? What Next?"-- a new short film by filmmaker Paul Bonesteel, who grew up in Henderson County.

The film, paid for through $25,000 in grants and gifts awarded to the Carl Sandburg site, stars a new generation of poets -- nine middle school students who are all members of the Boys and Girls Club in Hendersonville.

The red carpet will literally be rolled out Friday night as the kids arrive to watch the 10-minute premiere of "Where To? What Next?" at 7 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County.

"I hope this film is a big motivator for kids -- as a challenge to find their own voice," says Bonesteel. "Sandburg always looked for subject matter that was relevant. This film pushes kids to see what is relevant in their own lives -- like family, though they may not see it."

The film, narrated by Asheville poet Glenis Redmond, takes a cue from Carl Sandburg, whose life came into focus as a poet, author and musician, emphasized where he was from and where he was going.

Redmond asked the nine kids chosen to participate in the project to write a poem based on one of her signature themes, "Where am I from?"