Merle Becker, a Newburgh-based producer and director, will return to Newburgh’s Ritz Theater on Friday, July 10th for the Hudson Valley premiere of her latest work, “American Artifact.” Becker premiered her 2004 documentary, “Saving Newburgh,” at the Ritz. “Saving Newburgh” followed the twists and turns of an election season in the city; “American Artifact,” according to the film’s website, “chronicles the rise of American rock poster art since its birth in the ’60s.” Becker responded to the Newburgh Advocate’s questions today.
What drew you to make “Saving Newburgh”?
I had just bought a fixer-upper house in Newburgh with my husband, and I intended to make a short film about us fixing up our house and living in it at the same time (which was a challenge because there was no heat and no running water, and it was the middle of February).
As we got more involved in the renovation, I got turned on to some of what was going on in the local government. I decided to instead make a film about the election and the antics of the city government, with hopes of opening people’s eyes to what was going on here.
What kind of reactions did you get, both inside and outside Newburgh?
Most Newburgh-ers wanted a PR piece for the city, which “Saving Newburgh” is definitely not. Most outsiders thought what was going on here was as ridiculous as I did.
We still have many of the same problems today. Unfortunately, a PR piece for the city isn’t the kind of thing that will bring about change as quickly as a piece which makes the residents aware of what’s going on, and hopefully breaks the cycle. (Much like your website!)
Can you describe your creative process post-”Saving Newburgh” that lead to “American Artifact”? Had you considered other documentary subjects?
I’ve always been really into rock imagery (music videos, album covers, etc), and I worked at MTV for several years (Beavis & Butthead, Daria, TRL, etc). Around 2004, I came across a book called “The Art of Modern Rock”, which is this huge, coffee table book of modern rock posters. I was blown away.
What struck me the most about it is that rock poster art is so closely tied to cultural change in this country. Throughout the decades, you can see some of what was going on politically and socially in America, reflected in these posters. Yet, rock posters are still considered to be “lowbrow”, or “low culture” by many. To me, it is this incredibly beautiful, daring, art form, and perhaps most importantly, one of the truest forms of folk art we have in America today.
There is a huge number of people doing rock posters now. If you go to a website called GigPosters.com, you can see the work of over 20,000 rock poster artists on the site. These people are making posters on their own, without corporate backing. It is a huge modern day art movement, which up until now, no one has really focused on in a movie. I felt it was an important subject, and aside from my love of rock imagery, I felt that it’s history and the current movement should be documented.
And, In answer to your question, yes, I had considered many subjects. (And, some of those ideas will come to fruition some day!). But for this project, I felt that it was important to document this movement that we are currently experiencing in America while it was happening.
How does it feel to be returning to the Ritz for your second premiere?
Well, “American Artifact” premiered in San Francisco last month at the Rock Art By The Bay event. But for the first Hudson Valley screening, I wanted it to be at the Ritz. I was fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Orange County Arts Council for the movie, and it was important for me to do a local screening as a thank you for their support, and the support of the local community.
The Ritz has also always been supportive of my film projects (hosting focus groups for me, etc), and again, I’d like to support them, and bring more people down Broadway to events there. So, it feels great!
Any surprises about “American Artifact”? (either in making it or along the way…)
When I started work on the film, I had quit my day job and tried for months to get funding for the film (with no luck). So, I decided to fund it out of pocket with intentions of picking up freelance work towards the end of production to supplement my income. Then, the recession hit, and suddenly it was very difficult to pick up freelance television work – So, the surprise was that I was super-broke by the end, haha.
How can we see your work?
[T]he Hudson Valley premiere of “American Artifact” will be at the Ritz Theater (111 Broadway, Newburgh) this Friday July 10th at 7:30 p.m. Afterwards, there is a party at the poster-adorned Wherehouse Restaurant, right around the corner (119 Liberty). It should be a fun time – We’re also giving away screen printing kits courtesy of Newburgh Art Supply and doing Q&A after the movie. So art lovers and rock lovers alike, c’mon down!
Friday’s screening is at 7:30 p.m. To order tickets in advance (recommended), order online here. “Saving Newburgh” is available for sale at The Palatine Shop, 87 Liberty Street, Newburgh NY; (845) 561-5552.
