Anti-fracking film big draw on Day 2

People take their seats at the Woodstock Playhouse for the world premiere of the anti-fracking documentary Dear Governor Cuomo ... Thursday in Woodstock at the Woodstock Film Festival.KELLY MARSH/For the Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 10/12/12 Last updated: 9:45 AM - 10/12/12

WOODSTOCK At first glance, the films would seem to have almost nothing in common.

One, "First Winter," is about a bunch of privileged, young city folk stranded at a yoga retreat in a remote area during a blizzard. Another, "One Track Heart," is about a dude from Long Island who gives up his rock 'n' roll dreams and his name to seek spiritual enlightenment in India. The third, "Dear Governor Cuomo ...," chronicles an anti-fracking protest/concert in Albany in May.

But these three films, which were among the highlights of the 14 films that kicked off Thursday's official opening of the Woodstock Film Festival, are typical of what the festival is all about. It's about music in this town that has counted Bob Dylan, The Band and Jimi Hendrix among its residents and recording artists. Both "One Track Heart" which features that former almost-member of Blue Oyster Cult, Jeffrey Kagel/now Krishna Das and "Dear Governor Cuomo ... ," which features Woodstock-area stars like Natalie Merchant, Joan Osborne and John Sebastian, have lots of music.

It's about showcasing the bounty of films and filmmakers the Hudson Valley produces. "First Winter" was shot in Goshen and Campbell Hall. "Dear Governor Cuomo ..." was directed by Stone Ridge's Jon Bowermaster and features local actors Melissa Leo and Mark Ruffalo.

And the Woodstock Film Festival is about the local community a community that gathered in Albany to protest what it says is a grave threat to the Hudson Valley environment, the natural gas extraction method of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

Perhaps no festival film typifies what the Woodstock Film Festival is all about more than the official opener, "Dear Governor Cuomo ..." The documentary, which sold out the 300-plus seat Woodstock Playhouse Thursday evening, has everything that makes the festival what it is a locally produced film with national impact and an accent on one of the region's treasures: music.

"It's the perfect Woodstock film," said Bowermaster. "It's about music, the environment and community."

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Woodstock Film Festival highlights local issues, people