MON, JAN. 12TH ROOFTOP FILMS PRESENTS CRAWFORD: A SPECIAL FAREWELL TO W SCREENING!

By Rooftop Films on 01/09/2009

**FREE EVENT**Monday, January 12th, 2008

Rooftop Films and B-Side Present Crawford: A Special Farewell to W Screening!

"... a poignant account... populated with colorful, contrasting characters..."
--Variety

Rooftop Films returns to the halls of Chelsea Market for a free screening of Crawford . An extraordinary documentary by first-time filmmaker David Modigliani, Crawford provides a unique perspective on the Bush presidency: through the eyes of the 705 residents of Crawford, Texas.

To celebrate the changing of the guard in Washington, B-Side Entertainment is presenting screenings of Crawford all across the U.S., and on Monday, January 12th, Rooftop Films will be presenting one of these special events in Chelsea Market.

Before the film, Matteah Baim will be performing live, and throughout the show there will be free Radeberger Pilsner for all in attendance.

So come see the film that Variety calls "poignant," Premiere declared to be "richly compelling" and the NY Sun called "revelatory."

About Crawford: In 1999, then Governor George W. Bush bought a ranch in the one-stoplight town of Crawford, Texas, calling it "home" just in time to set his sights on the White House. Having invented Bush's "folksy image," the campaign's victory thrusts Crawford onto the world stage and an insular community of barely 700 explodes overnight.

While the high school band plays the inauguration and the Baptist pastor declares a miracle, Crawfordites sell souvenirs hand over fist, finding themselves nearly trampled under the heels of the international press corps, patriotic tourists and boomtown opportunists. Then, four and a half years into Bush's tenure, Cindy Sheehan and her peace movement arrive at the doorstep of the "Western White House." Crawford takes center stage.

As 20,000 impassioned protesters and counter-protesters battle on Crawford's tiny streets, the symbol of the "small town" begins to change. Exacerbated tensions place pressure on the community as well as on the liberties Americans take for granted. And after seven years of this political stagecraft, a President's and a community's choices have an even graver human impact. Left to deal with the aftermath, the real people of Crawford are changed forever.

Now comes Crawford, an often funny, deeply human story told by unforgettable characters. As witness to one man's (and his spin doctor's) decision to intertwine his life with the real small town America, the film ultimately becomes a microcosm of a nation in flux -- a unique and poignant reflection on the Bush era.

"...a richly compelling microcosmic portrait."--Premier Magazine

Venue: Indoors at Chelsea Market
Address: 75 9th Ave (Between 15th and 16th Streets, Manhattan)
Directions: A, C, E, or L to 14th Street and 8th Ave

7:00 PM: Live Music by Matteah Baim with special guests Hisham Bharoocha and Birdie Lawson

7:30 PM: David Modigliani's CRAWFORD