WRENSHALL news

Wrenshall filmmaker - and a driving force behind the Free Range Film Festival - Mike Scholtz is making the rounds on the film festival circuit with his new documentary, "Riplist."

On Wednesday, May 29, it will take the coveted 7 p.m. opening spot for the Duluth Superior Film Festival screening at the NorShor theater.

The movie premiered at the Fargo Film Festival and recently played in Boston where the Boston Globe called it "morbidly whimsical." After screening at the Duluth festival it will go on to play at Mount Rainier, The Free Range Film Festival in Wrenshall, and Pine City.

The NorShor screening is especially meaningful for Scholtz.

"When Val and I first moved to town they started playing 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' in the upstairs balcony and I loved that space so much I vowed to go once a week," he said. "I think I made it just past a month. I love old movie theaters so naturally I'm really excited to have my film in that space."

As for what it's like to be a filmmaker in rural Minnesota, Scholtz noted that while plenty of folks enjoy living in Los Angeles and New York, the expansion of technology has offered a diversity of voices making documentary films.

"You can live anywhere and make films," he said. "All you need is a camera and there are so many ways to distribute films now. I would rather live in the woods with my dogs and make funny movies about serious topics around here."

"Riplist" certainly falls into that category. The film focuses on a celebrity death pool. Seven friends from Fargo pick famous people they think will die in the next year. It should be stressed that this is a comedy, even as it also touches on issues of fame and death and how we understand both in our society.

As Scholtz states, "I would argue humor is the only way to confront some of the hardest truths in life. Such as death."

If anyone has Wrenshall-related community news or someone they want to see recognized, please contact Annie Dugan at 218-310-4703 or [email protected]