Celluloid heroes in your neighborhood

Back in the day, people used to actually film special occasions like family reunions, birthdays and vacation trips. Not videotape them or digitally capture them. Film them. We're talking really old-school Super 8 and 16 mm celluloid that has become kind of an antiquity in the post-video digital age. There's something about the way old "home movies" look -- the earthy colors, the fuzz, scratches and herky-jerky motion -- that makes even the most mundane family scenes seem a bit surreal.

You can catch some of this old-style surreality this weekend at the first-ever Grand Rapids Home Movie Day on Saturday, October 18th, 2008 at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids. It's part of an international program that will take place in theaters around the world. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the movies will run from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to offset the cost of renting the theater.

You don't just have to watch. Dig your old home movies out of your attic and basement and share them with other viewers. The GRHMD people accept Super 8, 8mm, and 16mm film, but no video or digital. If you're interested in submitting your home movies for inspection in advance, or for other questions regarding the event, contact Jennifer, or call 616-331-8072.