 "Photo: newenglandfilms.com")
 "Photo: Olga Deshchenko/Collegian")
Beyond the scope of the University of Massachusetts's campus lies a state like no other, one that producer and director Steve Alves's film collection Where We Live, proves to be worth exploring. From the mysteries of the Connecticut River to Greenfield's battle with sprawl development, the six films approach Western Massachusetts with a graceful sense of awe, uncovering the internal beauty and distinctiveness of the landscape and its people.
"Where We Live represents a body of work I produced over a 20-year period, put together as a collection," explained Alves, "with the themes of the Connecticut River Valley and Western Massachusetts as a particular place to live."
The film Beneath the River takes its viewers 120 feet below the surface of the Connecticut River and surveys the history of this body of water, leading to the discovery of massive sunken bridges and a chilling abyss that spirals down for an unknown number of miles. In an interview featured on the DVD set, Alves explained that he could have easily made Beneath the River to be a film to attract divers, but he felt that would not accomplish his goals for this movie.
"The really hard challenge," explained Alves, "was to make a film that would reach everybody in Franklin County; to understand and appreciate the river that they drive over everyday in their cars and not even think twice about." UMass's own Professor of Biology Ed Klekowski and his diving team, who discovered two new insect species in the Connecticut River, play key roles in the film and guide the viewers deep beneath the surface. This film brings out the magnificence of the stretch of the river that flows through the state and colorfully merges history with the present.
A Sweet Tradition is a film that successfully captures the importance of passing down the skill of maple sugaring in the New England area from generation to generation. The film is dominated by the cheerful voices of the children who tell the stories of the production of maple syrup from their own point of view. The children's words carry a sense of responsibility and clear understanding of the process. Somehow, when a child explains that it takes about 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of maple syrup, the scope of the work that these families must carry out becomes tangible. This feel-good film allows its viewers to taste the sweetness of the tradition and demonstrates that sometimes children can be the best teachers.
The film Together in Time tells the story of a tradition that is full of sound, movement and life: contra music and dance in the New England area. The film traces the history of this particular hobby, from the attempt of the successful car entrepreneur Henry Ford to revive contra dance to the musical talents of the people who sustain the life of contra music in this area.
"Together in Time was especially enjoyable to write and direct," said Alves, "because it focuses on a very positive idea of the abiding heartbeat of humanity." One of the many highlights of the film is the story of an avid fan of contra dance and music, a woman who is 101 years old. Her story alone awakens a sense of appreciation of the contra tradition and touches upon the longevity of this interest. The film claims a sensible verdict: the New England area is a safe haven for contra music and dance lovers.
The Franklin Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) is the focus of the film Everybody's Business that highlights the accomplishments of this organization in creating and sustaining local businesses in the community. The film is done in an interesting manner that allows the businesses to tell their story rather than focus on the FCCDC alone.
The situations of the businessmen who needed help with either reviving or starting a new business point to the necessity of the FCCDC and the monetary funds the corporation provides for local developments. Supported by old photographs, this film does a great job in telling the history of businesses and fusing their success with the contributions that came from the FCCDC.
The next film in the collection Life After High School, focuses on the choices that high school graduates face after their four years of schooling are over. The film does a splendid job in capturing the attention of the teenagers who must decide on what to do next and explores the options of skilled and unskilled jobs on the market. The hairstyles and fashion of the people featured in the film reveal that it was made a long time ago; nevertheless, Life After High School proves that its lessons are timeless. The film is enticing in its presentation and topic investigating an aspect of life that high school graduates must deal with in every generation.
Talking to the Wall is not only the longest film on the DVD set, but it is also the most captivating and inspirational piece in which Alves shares a part of his life with the viewers. The film documents a tough battle between Greenfield and corporate giant Wal-Mart. It also succeeds in describing the director's contributions to the cause and explains his motivation for resisting sprawl development.
"Talking To The Wall: The Story of an American Bargain was a totally engrossing film to make," explained Alves, "because I was able to bring to light what I think are important social issues about land use and our government's inadequate role in protecting citizens and the communities from the abuses of large corporations."
The sixth film of the collection leaves the viewers hungry for more work from the director and provides a gleam of hope for the preservation of significant communities such as Greenfield. It allows the audience to get to know the director, explores the history of sprawl development and leaves room for questions. Placing the film as last on the DVD set makes it a powerful conclusion to a collection of work that can only come from a director who truly loves and appreciates Western Massachusetts and its effervescent spirit.
"I would hope that those who see my films simply enjoy the experience of watching them," said Alves. "There's a certain satisfaction to a good story well-told, which is primary to a movie experience. Gratitude for the benevolence of nature, the reason we exist and the desire to protect that which sustains us, land and communities, is also a reaction I hope for."
Alves, who currently lives in Greenfield, attended the USC Film School and worked in New York City and Hollywood as a film editor. "During the 1980s I moved to Western Massachusetts and began producing my own films, mainly documentaries. Writing and directing allows me to make the films I want to make and I don't miss the city life one bit," said Alves.
Amherst Community Television will air Where We Live for seven consecutive days starting today. One film will be shown each day and all six films will run continuously that Sunday. The showings will feature interviews with Alves and extras featured on the DVD set as well. Alves will also take part in "An Evening of Film and Art - Steve Alves and Robert Masla" at the R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton on April 13. Excerpts from the film collection will be shown followed by a discussion with the director.
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