The short Girls at the Carnival will play before the feature presentation. Total runtime of program = 82 min
Ruth Leitman & Carol Weaks Cassidy, 1994, USA
Everyone needs more WILDWOOD, NJ in their lives. Shot on dreamy Super 8 film by directors Ruth Leitman and Carol Weaks Cassidy with an all-women crew, this documentary shines a light on the lives of women from Wildwood, New Jersey—the last great American carnival town. From go-go dancers to girls who work as vampires in the boardwalk haunted house, the film moves beyond big hair and press-on nails to look into the souls of women raised on the boardwalk's rides, neon lights, and beaches. It’s easy to see why Lana Del Rey included footage from the movie in her "Diet Mountain Dew" music video. This screening includes found media sensation GIRLS AT THE CARNIVAL and cinéma vérité wonder MALL CITY—two films that feel like spiritual cousins to our friends in Wildwood.