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GARDINER — Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center, 280 Water St., will be presenting the film “The Home Road” Friday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. as part of the Food, Film & Conversation series. This film is the first documentary project by Portland-based film and marketing company Home Ice Productions and Tonya Shevenell.
” ‘The Home Road’ is inspired by the coming-of-age story of my great-great-great grandfather, Israel Shevenell. I wish I could talk to the 19-year old who set out on foot April 1, 1845, headed southeast from his home in Compton, Quebec, crossed the border, trudged through lingering winter snow in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and deep mud in the Saco Valley, and arrived at his destination of Biddeford two weeks later,” said Shevenell.
“He earned $8 a week as a brick maker in this booming coastal town,” she continued. “It was steady work and more money than he could make farming at home. He walked back to Quebec that fall and convinced his family to move to Biddeford with him. Israel became the city’s first permanent French-Canadian settler; contributed to its growth and changed the course of Shevenell family history. In 2015, my father, Ray Shevenell, celebrated the 170th anniversary of this pioneering trek by retracing Israel’s journey, walking the nearly 200 miles from Compton, Quebec, to Biddeford, Maine.” Layered over this adventure are narrations, interviews, archive photos and film, and stories; exploring the themes of migration, movement and “home.”
Whenever possible, film makers will be present to discuss their films, as will Shevenell. This series is in partnership with the Gardiner Food Co-Op. Food can be ordered by calling the box-office, and food will be waiting upon arrival for the show; table seating will be available.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Johnson Hall’s box office from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, by calling 207-582-7144, or by visiting the website at www.johnsonhall.org.
