Woods Hole Film Festival 2008

Inspired by the life of Hank Garland, CRAZY is the story of a legendary guitar player who emerged from Nashville in the 1950’s. Blessed with incomparable, natural talent, Hank quickly established his reputation as the finest session player in Nashville. Artists such as Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, The Everly Brothers and Elvis all sought Hank for their recordings. Moving effortlessly from country, to rock-a-billy, to jazz, Hank was also recognized by the likes of Dave Bruebeck, Gary Burton, Joe Morello and Joe Benjamin. The 50's Nashville scene was unique – dominated by a group of executives and musicians who controlled the industry. Hank, in his pursuit of musical excellence, often came into conflict with the business, which he found restrictive and frustrating. But it was his relationship with his wife, Evelyn, which may have led to his demise. Beautiful, Evelyn was unlike any woman Hank had ever encountered when meeting her during a show in Chicago. She excited and fascinated him, and turned a whirlwind romancae into an almost instant marriage. But Evelyn was not all she appeared to be, and when confronted with the reality of Hank’s obsessive dedication to his music, began to demonstrate a desperate need to make him love only her. But 43 years after Hank disappeared from music, his guitar lives on in a number of hit records, and one, amazing solo jazz effort.

Fanatical birdwatchers have descended upon a small town in the Arkansas bayou in hopes of finding the celebrated Ivory Billed Woodpecker. Declared extinct in the 1940’s, the bird has apparently been spotted by numerous experts. Enter amateur birder and poet Johnny Neander, who has convinced his taciturn sidekick that he will be the one to find the elusive woodpecker. The ensuing chaos divides the small town between believers and non-believers, rabid environmentalists and opportunistic entrepreneurs. Much like the bird itself, 'Woodpecker' explores the intersection of fact and fiction, manipulating our notions of documentary and narrative techniques within a tragic comedy about hope, perception, and some very very strange birds.