Park Record | 2018-09-05 | Page 29

Wed/Thurs/Fri, September 5-7, 2018 The Park Record TWO for ONE Continued from C-5 Filmmaker looking for feedback his sexuality and membership in the church, the other Mormon artists became his support group and advocates, according to Florence. “They were the ones who helped Trevor be true to himself, which meant losing his family and being kicked out of the church,” Florence said. “Through this all, they continued to be close friends and have this artistic relationship. And my dad summed it up well when he said, ‘these artists have created a community of acceptance and love in a spiritual sense that the church has failed to do in a way.’” After the discussion, Florence kept thinking about how these artists have been able to transcend these labels of church members and artists to create a respectful space where people such as Southey are welcome. “I wanted to tell this story, and not being a filmmaker, I thought I would get someone else to film a conversation between these artists,” Florence said. So he reached out to Sterling Van Wagenen, one of the founders of the Sundance Film Festival and a family friend.. “I called him up and said he should make a film about these artists, and he said, ‘That sounds great, and here’s what we need to do.’” Florence said. “He kept saying ‘we’ and then said, ‘I’ll be the executive director if you direct the film.’ So, I called my wife and said, ‘Oh, my gosh. I’m going to make a movie.’” Florence began talking with his art community contacts to get donations, and he has since partnered with the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, which became a fiscal partner. He also had the chance to talk with Geralyn Dreyfous, founder of the Utah Film Center and cofounder of the Impact Partners Film Fund, which has funded many documentaries. “The first thing she told me was that I was the biggest liability to C-7 7700 Stein Way Park City, UT 84060 Reservations [phone] www.steinlodge.com/dining Valid Sunday-Thursday until 9/29/18 for dinner at Glitretind Restaurant only. Cash not accepted. For dine-in only. Buy one entrée, get the second of equal or lesser value for free. 20% gratuity will be added to original amount. Excludes Sunday brunch. Must present coupon. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer, nightly special, or special event. PHOTO BY MAREN FLORENCE Filmmaker Nathan Florence teaches art at Weilenmann School of Discovery. He’s been filming the documentary “Art + Belief” since 2011. the film, which meant that I was a new filmmaker who didn’t have a track record,” Florence said. After a few months of emailing advice to Florence, Dreyfous became one of the documentary’s executive producers. “That blew me away,” Florence said. “That is such a tremendous honor to have her on board with my film.” The film’s title “Art + Belief,” comes from what is known as the Mormon Art and Belief movement that started at Brigham Young University in 1966, Florence said. The movement was started by artists to who wished to balance their beliefs with their art, he said. Southey, Smith, Hadlock and Earnest Smith were among the founding artists of the movement. “These are artists that I looked to as my examples while I was growing up in the Mormon church and as I pursued my own art,” he said. “I heard of this Art + Belief movement, although I didn’t know these artists were part of it.” Getting in touch with the artists was fairly simple because Florence’s parents knew them personally. “My dad helped Dennis with a book he was writing and Dennis introduced us to Gary,” Florence said. “I’ve known Trevor Southey ever since I was an infant, because my parents met him when they were all in college. And we knew him up until he passed away.” Still, Florence didn’t want the documentary to be seen as an anti-church film. “As an artist you pick things up, pull them apart and put them back together while asking yourself challenging questions,” he said. “The biggest question for me was, how do I reconcile all of this with the faith I grew up in that has all of the specific rules and policies? I wanted to know how these things go together, and I looked at these artists who I thought seemed to have found a balance.” Park City Film Series will preview Nathan Florence’s workin-progress documentary “Art + Belief,” not rated, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Park City LIbrary’s Jim Santy Auditorium, 1255 Park Ave. A Q&A with Florence will follow the screening. For information, visit www. parkcityfilmseries.com. PRESENTS THE SATURDAY, 10/13 9AM - 6PM SUNDAY, 10/14 9AM - 4PM $10 per person per day The Prospector, 2175 Sidewinder Dr. 2 DAYS OF EDUCATION, ENCOURAGEMENT, & COMMUNITY. A unique opportunity for women to come together to be empowered, inspired, and rejuvenated to grow in their personal lives & careers. No other event provides the ability to reach and support women in and around Park City. 50% OF TICKET SALES WILL BENEFIT THE PEACE HOUSE! BE PART OF HERSTORY… PARK CITY WOMEN’S EXPO! BOOTHS AND SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE. SPACE IS LIMITED, SO SIGN UP EARLY! For more information, contact Julie at 435.640.5119 or [e-mail] Your Trust Is What I Value The Most! Andrea Cox, Loan Officer [phone]