In 1799, a small town on the outskirts of Philadelphia was the home of a popular tavern, an intersection at the corners of High and Gay Streets, and a growing population. It was already the county seat, but it finally earned the status of “borough”—225 years ago. This year marks West Chester's 225th birthday, which is being celebrated with parties, a parade through that famous (locally at least) intersection, and more. The West Chester Film Festival is joining in the local celebration with Pennsylvania Stories, a collection of films celebrating the filmmaking tradition of the region.
Pennsylvania Stories will be shown as part of this year’s festival on April 27, in a Pop-Up Event at the Chester County History Center. “Our themed film collections depend on the films accepted into the festival each year,” said Amy Theorin, a local filmmaker and Filmmaker Liaison of the West Chester Film Festival. “When we realized how many fantastic films told stories representative of our region, creating a themed block that celebrated that history was a fortunate coincidence.”
Holding the event at the Chester County History Center was the next logical step. Across High Street from the main venue of the Festival, the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, the CCHC is a central repository of the county’s history, objects, collections, and exhibitions. “Because we serve as a steward of the county’s memories, hosting Pennsylvania Stories seems like an appropriate fit,” said Anne Skillman, Volunteers President of the Chester County History Center.
The films selected for this collection include a variety of genres and include locales and stories that will be familiar to residents of the region. “I am especially excited to see How Sweet the Sound,” said Skillman. This film tells the story of John Sutton, a blind African American singer who passed away in 2021. The film was made by David Block, a legally blind filmmaker, and is created from footage filmed during the many years Sutton sang in Suburban Station, as well as interviews with his friends and other singers.
“I commuted into Philadelphia for work in the late 1980s and always found such an uplift whenever I encountered someone singing in the Suburban Station labyrinth,” said Skillman. “I look forward to the nostalgia this film promises.”
Other films in this collection include:
Takin’ It to the Streets by Casey Fenoglio
This documentary highlights the Montgomery County Street Medicine program. Featuring dialogue from program implementers, as well as conversations with patients receiving healthcare, this film emphasizes the need for unique approaches in delivering healthcare and serves as a call to action for public health professionals to reimagine healthcare outside the walls of hospitals and offices.
Canvas by Logan McCurry
In this drama, Jackson, a Vietnam War Veteran, uses his art to work through his trauma and PTSD.
Daisy by Stephen Charles Konnovitch
This film takes audiences on a journey as a troubled man gives the eulogy for his deceased girlfriend, each line of his speech revealing his role in her demise.
Infraction by Timothy Blackwood
The real-life story of Philadelphia native Terrance Lewis, who served a 21-year sentence in prison for a murder he did not commit. When a prison guard is murdered on the job, his replacement forms an unlikely relationship with Lewis which has life-altering ramifications for both men, and beyond.
Astronaut by Brian McCole
A drama—or is it? In this short film, an unlikely astronaut deals with a rapidly failing spacecraft, leading to a surprising resolution.
“I think patrons will enjoy the sense of connection to community with this block, augmented by the Filmmaker Meet and Greet held at CCHC immediately following the films,” said Skillman. “If they enjoy the event, I encourage them to come back to the History Center in June for a special Rustin Day of Film to celebrate Juneteenth and Pride Month.”
The West Chester Film Festival will be held April 26–28 in Downtown West Chester. The full schedule of events can be found at WestChesterFilmFestival.com. The main venue will be the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High Street, West Chester. The Pennsylvania Stories Film Collection will be shown on April 27 at 3:30 pm at the Chester County History Center. Tickets and more information can be found at this link. The Chester County History Center is located at 225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA. Find out more at MyCCHC.org.
For more information on the 225th Anniversary of West Chester, visit DowntownWestChester.com or West-Chester.com. A parade celebrating the event will be held on April 21 at 1 pm in the town.
About Victoria Rose
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
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