Campbell Read Presents | FP RokIntroScroller

Thu, May 17, 2012

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Campbell Read Presents | FP RokIntroScroller

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Campbell Read March

7:00 p.m. in Room 304

May 30 The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (a good story for children to see)

In a celebration of urban wildness, THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL follows formerly homeless street musician Mark Bittner into San Francisco’s avian subculture, where a remarkable flock of wild green-and-red parrots live and work to survive. Dubbed the “Bohemian St. Francis,” Bittner falls in with the flock as he searches for his path through life, unaware that the wild parrots will do more for him than eat his sunflower seeds.

The film reveals moving relationships between Bittner and the birds and explores passionate dynamics among the parrots, often linking their antics to human behavior. Although he is no scientist, Bittner becomes something of an avian expert as he consults local birders and as he feeds, names, studies and protects the cherry-headed conures—escaped pets who have begun to breed in the wilds of the city.

Parrot “stars” include Connor, the lonely blue-crowned conure, ostracized by the cherry-heads; Picasso and Sophie, an affectionate couple who love to cuddle; Pushkin, a single father who raises three babies on his own; and Mingus, a cherry-headed conure who tries to join the flock, but, hobbled by a crippled leg, comes to live with Mark Bittner in his house instead.

The film culminates with Bittner’s race to save the parrots when his home (and that of some of the parrots) is threatened. Meanwhile, his own quest for survival and companionship uncannily parallels that of his birds. In the film’s climactic ending Bittner does find the meaning he sought—though no one could have predicted the surprising form in which it comes. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/wildparrots/film.html

Jun 27 The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies

Nowhere in nature is there a more powerful mix of scientific marvel, awesome beauty and epic struggle for survival than the Monarch butterfly. Journey into the Monarch's secret and fascinating world as NOVA visits the spectacular locations the Monarch calls home, meets its friends and enemies (including humans in both camps) and flies with it on one of the most inspiring migratory odysseys imaginable. http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=3444801#Details

Jul 25 The Himalayas

The Himalayas are defined by superlatives. They defy both description and comprehension while at the same time teaching us about the awesome power and grandeur of nature. Born during the ice ages, they form the highest mountain range in the world, and reach across Asia for two thousand miles. The mountains themselves are considered sacred. These are mountains that will take your breath away. http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=11188668&;cp=&sr=1&kw=the+himalayas&origkw=the+himalayas&parentPage=search