DUNCAN —
“Losing the West” tells the story of land that was once wild and tamed only by ranchers and farmers who understood its necessity to society, yet is now being taken over by urbanization.
Told through the perspective of Howard Linscott, a lifelong Colorado cowboy, the film, which is to be one of the featured full-length films during the Trail Dance Film Festival at the Simmons Center, Jan. 25-26, explores how population growth and commercial land development is affecting rural areas.
“I was investigating issues that are relevant to a lot of neighbors (in Colorado), who are working ranchers,” said Alexandra Warren, director of the film.
“What resonated with me is the rising land value and that agriculture is becoming more valuable.
I would actually see many neighbors going through hard times and have to sell their land for more development.”
Warren was born in Denver, Colo., and is now a California resident, however, when she and her husband were able, they bought ranch land in Ridgway, Colo.
“Losing the West” began on their land and expanded it to look at how these essential issues of land and food affect all of us.
“I found it difficult to approach the subject in a riveting way,” said Warren. “I met this cowboy, who was already in his 70s, and he just embodied the west and was enigmatic to me. It occurred to me that following him and his life that I could put a face and personality on the land.”
Linscott is described by Warren as the strong, silent type, however, the stories he tells in the film resonate with people all around the world. What evolved throughout the filming process was this isn’t a story just about Linscott and the West, but it’s everyone’s story.
“What I like to say is that it starts from one cowboy’s point of view then broadens out to a potentially global point of view,” Warren said.
“We’re seeing that loss of land and natural resources and we explore some of what you can do about it in the film; it weaves in and out of the story.”
Along with Linscott, Warren interviews several experts such as Micheal Bennet, Colorado U.S. senator; Jon Wooster, president of U.S. Cattlemen’s Association; and Patricia Limerick, faculty director for Center of the American West.
“There’s hope to put (western culture) back and we offer ways that are evident when you look at them,” said Warren. “However, the direction our culture is taking us is going the opposite way.”
Although she has held well-received screenings of the film, Trail Dance is the first film festival it has been entered into. After much research, entering seemed the logical.
“It seemed like a really good fit from what I could find through research because of the connection through the western subject and association with the Chisholm Trail,” said Warren. “I’m really excited and even might bring my daughter.”
Features
Related Photos
-
“Losing The West” is one of the films on tap for Trail Dance Film Festival, Jan 25-26, 2013, at the Simmons Center venue. Courtesy of Alexandra Warren
-
"Losing The West" is Alexandra Warren's look at the value of agriculture land in Colorado, through the eyes of Howard Linscott, a cowboy. Warren directed the film which will be highlighted during Trail Dance Film Festival Jan. 25-26, 2013 at the Simmons Center.
Film looks at value of ag land
Trail Dance Film Festival brings variety
- Features
-
-
Chisholm Trail Municipal Band to warm up for summer season
Keeping the music going for summer, the Chisholm Trail Municipal Band is looking for participants for its performance season.
-
Katrina Elam shares background on AI’s Kree’s new single 'All Cried Out'
Moments after American Idol 2013 season 12’s Kree Harrison finished performing her new single, “All Cried Out” during the finale show Thursday, a former Bray resident let her friends know just how proud she was of the moment.
-
Heartbeat Studio concludes season with princess theme
Four seniors are among the 57 dancers with Heartbeat Dance Studio from throughout Stephens County who participated in their annual recital Sunday.
-
Taking careers to the classrooms
Recognizing the need for students to learn about the variety of careers offered, several area professionals visited school classrooms Thursday as part of Career Day.
-
Duncan’s Laura Leighe finding fun with newest EP release
For those looking for some upbeat music, look no further than The Laura Leighe EP which was released in January after a year of work for this Duncan native who now lives in Edmond.
-
Church briefs
Area church briefs for Friday, April 5, 2013.
-
March 22 Church Briefs
Editors note: These are the correct church briefs for Friday, March 22 edition of The Duncan Banner. They were not published in today's paper. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused our readers.
-
Chisholm Trail Heritage Center promotes Youth Art Month
Designing your own pair of sunglasses may be just a dream to some but for a few area youths, they were able to do just that to celebrate Youth Art Month Oklahoma.
-
Bosworth’s movie promo tour begins in Duncan
To most, he was known as “The Boz,” the high-flying, mohawk wearing, controversial linebacker who was forever entrenched in Oklahoma football lore when he helped bring the Sooners a national title in 1986.
-
'Blues' show brings fun
While one performer Saturday night glued on sideburns and created a nose out of putty and wax, the other got dressed. After adorning black suits and slapping on Raybans and fedoras, the pair were transformed into their onstage personas as the Briefcase Blues.
- More Features Headlines
-
Chisholm Trail Municipal Band to warm up for summer season
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
