"Maison Des Rêveurs" at the Tivoli

Dear Mom,

I told you about your granddaughter, Rita and the movie, "Maison Des Rêveurs" that she created. I just got the information from Rita about her movie being shown at the Tivoli, part of the 12th Annual Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase.

It's on Sunday, July 8 at Noon - in the Shorts 1 - Citygarden (83 min.) program. General admission tickets are $12, students and CSL members are $10. Tickets are on sale now. You can purchase tickets at the door or https://tickets.landmarktheatres.com/Ticketing.aspx?TheatreID=258

The Bippen family reunion is on this day, but I'll be late because of course you know I wouldn't miss seeing Rita's movie on the big screen.  If anyone is interested, let me know...

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Tragedy and Triumph

Dear Mom,

Last week, it was the one year anniversary of Joplin’s devastating disaster when an EF5 tornado wiped away a good portion of the town, killing over 150 people and destroying businesses and homes. One home demolished was my friend's, Geoffrey.

The anniversary slipped by since I was all excited about Rita’s movie, "Maison Des Rêveurs" being shown on the Video Wall in CityGarden, which by the way… just in my humble opinion, she should’ve placed 2nd or 3rd. You can see it on Rita's blog now.

But what do I know about film? I didn’t get the 2nd place film, which would’ve bumped 3rd up to 2nd, putting Rita’s film at the very least to 3rd. But then, I am her mother. I can guarantee you this—Rita’s film had a ton more work in her film than the 2nd place film. However, Rita triumphed in the fact she received honorable mention, showed up for the event and dressed up to boot—her outfit coordinated with the main character in her film.

Rita, family and friends were the only ones there when it started. Another couple came a little later that I assumed made one of the films. I found it odd that no one else was there. Maybe they’ve done this so many times, it wasn’t a big deal? Or maybe a disaster struck in their own personal lives—who am I to judge?

Back to Joplin’s tragedy…Claudia Mundell came up with the idea to create an anthology. Deb Marshall, then president of Missouri Writers' Guild got the ball rolling. Now published by Mozark Press is Storm Country. All proceeds from the sale of this book goes to the Joplin School District libraries. Even though Joplin is rebuilding, more help is always needed.

Behind Storm Country is a huge supportive group of people who rally together whether picking up the pieces and putting things back together again or applauding for the success of those around them and for that, I say thank you.

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"Maison Des Rêveurs"

Dear Mom,

Your granddaughter, Rita (my baby) received Honorable Mention in the CityGarden/Cinema St. Louis Competition. I saw this contest on Donna's blog (thank you, Donna) and I passed the information on to Rita as she had mentioned wanting to make a film some day.

Rita got to work on it right away. I was blown away when she told me her story idea. The theme for the film per the contest was "nature."

Since Rita is Egabrag Crafts, she made the birds in her film. They are so darn cute, you just wanted to reach in and grab them and give them a big kiss. Seriously.

Rita's film, "Maison Des Rêveurs" will be playing on the Video Wall in CityGarden May 25th! She will also be featured in the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase in July and her film will be playing on the Big Screen at the Tivoli!

The title of her film came from the song that her friend, Rebekah wrote, composed, played the ukulele and sang - just for the film. It's beautiful. I could listen to it all day.

I took a tiny bit of French a few years back, but that certainly doesn't mean I know what "Maison Des Rêveurs" means. According to google translate - "Maison Des Rêveurs" means "House of Dreamers" and that makes me love the title even more.

Needless to say, I'm a proud momma. What I'm most proud of though is the fact that she started it, completed it, and turned it in! This was her first film, so that's pretty remarkable to have placed.

Don't need to tell you where I'll be on May 25th!

Congratulations Rita, you little stinker.

***

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