Sunday E-dition: Faces of St. Helena weaves a local storytelling mosaic at the Cameo Cinema
By Tim Carl
ST. HELENA, Calif. — As dusk fell on St. Helena last Tuesday, the Cameo Cinema, a historic fixture in Napa Valley, lit up Main Street. The cinema hosted the first "Faces of St. Helena" film festival, showcasing short films by local residents about their community.
Cathy Buck, the spirited custodian of the Cameo, beamed with pride seeing the local community come together at her theater.
"I am thrilled with our first Faces program,” she said. "Novice and seasoned local filmmakers showcased their skills in telling a variety of stories about locals from our community. They were beautiful, compelling, diverse and full of heart. The full house and I enjoyed an evening that united us through the magic and power of movie storytelling."
The festival showcased a variety of short films, each depicting different aspects of life in St. Helena. The lineup included everything from personal documentaries to creative narratives, highlighting the diverse experiences within the community.
Alex Parriott, a senior at Pacific Union College Preparatory School and a third-generation member of the family that owns Parriott Motors in St. Helena, showcased his filmmaking talent with a short film about his father's transition from racing motorcycles to managing the family business. The film offered insights into his father's past, revealing aspects previously unknown to Alex himself.
"Making the film, I learned a lot about my dad, and it was really satisfying to share the story with others who might not have known it either," he said. "I didn't fully understand the story until I assembled it, but watching it on the big screen helped me understand my family’s journey. This entire process has made me think of filmmaking as a potential career."
Erin Arnsteen, featured in "Mad for Monarchs" directed by David Garden, agreed with Parriott on the significance of storytelling. The film chronicles Arnsteen's efforts to promote awareness of planting Monarch butterfly-friendly vegetation, such as milkweed, which provides habitat for these migrating insects as they travel over Napa Valley to their overwintering and breeding sites. Alongside Garden and her partner, Jess Arnsteen, she co-founded the Western Monarch Society of Napa County, showcased in the film. Since 2019, the group has distributed over 20,000 free milkweed starts.
"Presenting this film helps spread awareness about crucial species like the Monarch and the impact of simple actions like planting milkweed," Arnsteen said. “As important, having a platform like the Cameo Cinema to showcase diverse perspectives and talents underscores the uniqueness and engagement of our community. It's both motivating and uplifting.”
Another highlight of the festival was "Cooper & His Friends," a two-minute-and-57-second film created by elementary school students Cindy Dwyer, Zoe von Hessert and Sean Gildenblat. They received guidance from Zoe’s mother, Vanessa von Hessert, an experienced filmmaker whose own work, "Diana," was also featured in the festival. She was among several local filmmakers who offered workshops and advice to the young directors.
Their film told the endearing story of Cooper, a disabled French bulldog who brings joy to children during recess. Cooper's special wheelchair enables him to move around freely, making him a beloved figure among children, particularly those feeling sad or lonely. The film spotlighted Cooper's loving nature, his enjoyment in being petted and his amusing habit of licking the children's shoes.
Gildenblat, one of the film's directors, shared his heartfelt connection with Cooper.
"No matter how sad I felt, Cooper always made me feel better," he said. "When I first moved here, I had no friends, but Cooper was there. Even now that I've made friends, he's still a part of our group, always there, licking our shoes and making me smile.”
For me, Tim Carl, the Cameo has always been more than a cinema. It's a sanctuary where stories come to life, where the boundaries between screen and spectator blur, and where our community's heartbeat is most audible. The "Faces of St. Helena" festival was a reminder of this connection. In the velvety darkness of the theater, we shared laughter, tears and moments of reflection.
As a young resident of St. Helena, I first encountered the magic of cinema within the walls of the Cameo (called the Roxy and then the Liberty Theatre). It was here that I watched "Jaws, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” "Star Wars" and "Rock ‘n’ Roll High School." These films were more than entertainment; they were gateways to new worlds, sparking my imagination and fueling a lifelong love for storytelling.
The Cameo, celebrating its 110th year, stands as a living testament to the unifying power of film. It's a space where stories are not just told but lived — a place where each screening is a communal experience, knitting us closer together.
The "Faces of St. Helena" festival has added a new layer to this legacy. It has shown us that within our valley lie stories of depth, diversity and beauty, waiting to be told. And at the Cameo, they find a voice, a screen and an audience ready to listen, learn and connect.
As I left the theater that night, with the sound of applause still echoing, I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude. The Cameo Cinema is more than just a movie theater to our community; it's a guardian of our stories and a bridge to better understanding among us. This sentiment resonates with the mission of Napa Valley Features. Our aim is to be a platform where local voices can be heard, a haven from the rapid pace of the world where reflection and thoughtfulness are valued. In such times, these stories and spaces become even more crucial. Here's to many more years of shared narratives and the continued success of all our efforts.
Film list of the first FACES film festival:
"Tiburcio Parrott" (03:23) - Directed by Nancy Lafortune
"Diana" (04:51) - Directed by Vanessa von Hessert
"Life Meaning" (04:18) - Directed by Nicole Marino
"Mad for Monarchs" (05:20) - Directed by David Garden
"Alex's Story" (05:20) - Directed by Natalika Lankenvich
"Brian Parriott" (04:05) - Directed by Alex Parriott
"Lunar Harvest" (03:43) - Directed by Kelly Amis
"Maria" (03:43) - Directed by Brian Clark
"Legend on Wheels" (03:28) - Directed by Sabur Tierney
"Natalie's Season" (03:10) - Directed by Kelly Amis
"Cooper & His Friends" (02:57) - Directed by Cindy Dwyer, Zoe Von Hess and Sean Gildenblat
Last week
Last week, we learned about the significant economic and social transformation of the region, transitioning from a diverse agricultural exporter to a hub for luxury-driven capital, heavily focused on tourism, high-end real estate and custom wine ventures. This evolution has brought economic growth alongside complex challenges and resulted in the Napa Valley being especially vulnerable when it comes to economic shocks, growing competition and changes in consumer preferences.
Sasha Paulsen introduced us to three remarkable Napa Valley women dedicated to arts and community projects: Evy Warshawski, Rebecca Yerger and Jessel Miller. Warshawski is revitalizing the community's engagement in the arts, including the 2024 revival of IDOL NV. Yerger, as a historian and author, significantly contributes to preserving historical buildings through Landmarks of Napa County and organizing events like the Holiday Candlelight Tour. Miller, a gallery owner and artist, has created a sanctuary for local artists and writers at Jessel Gallery, highlighted by her organization of the Homespun Holiday Extravaganza. These efforts showcase Napa Valley's dynamic cultural and artistic environment.
Paulsen also reported on BottleRock Napa Valley's announcement of La Onda, a Latin music festival set for June 1 and 2, 2024. The festival, which will feature a variety of Latin music genres, reflects Napa Valley’s growing stature as a major music festival destination. The lineup announcement is scheduled for Dec. 4, with ticket sales starting Dec. 8.
From Cindy Watter, we gained insights into the joys of planting bulbs. Drawing from her experiences in Humboldt County, Watter emphasized the resilience and beauty of bulbs like daffodils, even when planted late, and shared practical gardening tips.
Jeni Olsen's piece shed light on the benefits of gratitude for mental health in Napa Valley. Highlighting gratitude's role in enhancing mental and emotional well-being, Olsen's article, enriched by insights from clinical therapist Karina Aguilar Sanchez, underscored how gratitude practices can significantly increase happiness and reduce depressive symptoms.
Dave Stoneberg brought attention to the power of small-scale philanthropy in Napa Valley through CanDo's Give!Guide. This initiative, which has raised over $5 million for local nonprofits, demonstrates the substantial impact of modest donations in supporting community needs and projects.
We also had the opportunity to kick back and relax as we watched 30 minutes of aerial footage showcasing the Napa Valley’s vibrant fall colors.
Next week
Looking ahead to next week, we will continue to explore the evolving narratives of Napa Valley, focusing on economic trends that signal upcoming challenges. We anticipate insights from John Dunbar on a recent Napa Valley Chamber meeting addressing these challenges and opportunities. Additionally, Virginie Boone will share updates on new wine ventures, and we'll enjoy more captivating stories from Sasha Paulsen and other local voices.
Tim Carl is a Napa Valley-based photojournalist.
The Faces film program sounds very interesting! I’m sad that I missed it. Next time!