- Film Airs as Part of a Salute to Politics and Journalism in America and Beyond - The historic city of Hudson, New York, is confronting a modern Goliath: its own future. "Two Square Miles" tracks the conflicts that unfold as a proposed cement plant threatens to reshape a small community on the banks of the Hudson River. The town's colorful and passionate citizens fight to save Hudson's unique character, breathing life into the exercise of local democracy. "Two Square Miles" airs on PBS Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) as part of the Emmy Award-winning INDEPENDENT LENS, hosted by Terrence Howard. The questions about the future of Hudson, once renowned for its whaling industry and notorious for its cavalier acceptance of corruption and prostitution, are similar to the concerns of citizens in towns and cities across America. How is the global economy affecting communities? Can a traditional small town main street, with mom and pop stores, compete with big-box stores and consolidation? Can goals of environmental conservation and economic development co-exist? Can artsy exiles from the big city co-exist with the longtime, working-class population? Can idealistic goals drive real political change? "Two Square Miles" is a window onto the rapidly changing fabric of American communities nationwide. By exploring Hudson's history, its present and its options for the future, the film celebrates the wide-ranging diversity and unusual characters that make small town America so unique. About the Filmmakers Barbara Ettinger (producer/director) lives in Germantown, New York, 10 miles outside Hudson. "Two Square Miles" is Ettinger's second feature documentary. Her first, "Martha and Ethel," told the heartfelt story of two women and their childhood nannies. It competed at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival, screened at the Toronto Film Festival and won Best Documentary at the Hamptons International Film Festival. "Martha and Ethel" was purchased by Sony Pictures Classics for national and international theatrical release, and was shown nationally on Cinemax. Ettinger earned a Bachelor of Arts at Manhattanville College, completed the certificate program at the International Center for Photography, where she studied documentary and portrait photography, and was awarded a Master of Arts from Stanford University in education. After co-founding the Native American Preparatory School in New Mexico, she returned to her home in upstate New York. Sven Huseby (producer) is a retired independent school head who works on environmental justice issues. He is especially involved in helping non-profits to build organizational capacity and plan for the long term. As someone with many years of experience in development work, he focused on securing funding for the film. A graduate of Yale College, he is married to Barbara Ettinger. Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS.
|
