George: Wrestling with Resistance
Wednesday, November 25
6PM (doors open) | 6:45 (screening)
Chunky’s Cinema Pub, 150 Bridge Street
Pelham, NH
Free admission | Q&A with director
In our travels around Lowell and New England, the LFC is fortunate enough to run into really cool people who connect us to fabulous filmmakers and film events in our area — this event is one of them. Conceived and directed by Tim O’Donnell, George: Wrestling with Resistance parallels the tough sport of wrestling with the adversities facing inner city youth in Springfield, Massachusetts. The film follows George Hargrove’s wrestling season during his freshman year at Springfield Technical Community College and his travels from Springfield to Niagara Falls to Minnesota for the National Wrestling Championship. This touching documentary has already been shown at Brookline’s Coolidge Corner Theater and at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. Both events were sold out and covered by ESPN Radio, Fox News, and Channel 22 WWLP News.
In addition to the remarkable personal story, the film provides a positive media message for a community that is seldom shown in a positive light. O’Donnell, also a teacher at Central High School, witnesses the stark difference in the kids he sees every day and the stories seen in the news. He hopes this film will expose the community to the potential of our inner city youth. George’s story provides an example of success that is earned by perseverance and the support of his teachers and coaches.
A Director with Local Ties
Tim O’Donnell is a 2001 graduate of Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH, where he won a state wrestling title. He is currently a teacher and chair of the Fine Arts Department, coaches wrestling at Springfield Central High School, and is a volunteer wrestling coach at the Doughboy Wrestling Club on Lincoln Street in Lowell. Tim is earning a Master’s degree in Fine Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He was a 2x Academic All-American wrestler at Springfield College.
It’s truly amazing to see community artists take their love of film and make positive change happen. We hope you’ll come out and support Tim and his fabulous project — he’ll be at the Chunky’s event for a Q&A session; it’s always a great thing when filmmakers are there for their premieres.
View the official trailer and learn more about George: Wrestling with Resistance at www.georgewrestling.com.
AND read the Lowell Sun’s coverage of this event.
[Thanks so much to TJ O’Connell for your enthusiasm and support! It was great meeting you!]
lowellfilmcollaborativema.org 