08/10/2007

Special to the Record-Eagle/Jolynn Paige
Sally Neal feels it is her duty as a citizen to help organize groups of people to watch films that offer viewpoints that many don't get to see. She began IndyFlix, which screens such films at Kejara's Bridge in Lake Leelanau, five years ago.

Seeing it from a different angle

Series offers films for varied viewpoints

By JOLYNN PAIGE

Special to the Record-Eagle

LAKE LEELANAU — Sally Neal is a do-er.

She's not one to sit around and complain about the state of the world. She gets involved. She organizes peace protests. She leads a soup kitchen every Tuesday at the Quaker church on 5th and Oak in Traverse City. And she coordinates IndyFlix, a film group meeting regularly at Kejara's Bridge in Lake Leelanau to watch independent films.

"I just got sick of not seeing alternative viewpoints in the mainstream media, and so I decided to buy films on my own that would help tell a different point of view of what is happening in our country right now,” said Neal.

She's not happy with the social and political scene in America. She has social justice on her mind — and has for years.

"We have a steering committee that selects documentaries that examine social and political issues from an independent viewpoint,” she said. "None of these films are paid for with corporate funds, which means, in my mind, that you're more likely to get the truth in these films.”

The concept behind IndyFlix is simple: The group meets about once a month at Kejara's Bridge, a coffeehouse that also serves light dinner and lunch fare. Anyone is invited, and the event is free, though a jar is passed around for donations. Money collected goes toward purchasing more films, the projection equipment and advertising.

About an hour before films are shown, people of all ages start showing up. Some order dinner, some just a coffee or tea. They socialize and catch up.

Meanwhile, Rob Chapman of Suttons Bay sets up the simple sound system and digital projector. A few pieces of art are moved out of the way so the wall can become the screen. Nothing fancy or complicated.

"I like to come to IndyFlix because I like to involve myself in activities that challenge me to think. I'm interested in seeing and discussing alternative points of view,” said Chapman.

He feels a deep sense of respect for Neal and her leadership.

"Sally does all of this,” said Chapman. "She's amazing. She initiates people to open their minds to new concepts. She's personally put a lot of her own money into this project, and she freely lends out any of the films she's collected over the years for people to watch.”

On one recent night, the film was a Bill Moyers documentary called "Buying the War.” The 90-minute piece explores the role of the press in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq.

The coffeehouse is standing room only on what is a hot, humid evening. Neal makes a brief introduction of the film, and then invites people to hang around afterward to discuss it if they'd like.

"People, this film highlights the manner in which the media was complicit in marketing the administration's relentless drumbeat to this illegal, immoral, unconscionable war,” she said to the audience. "It asks the questions, 'Where were the watchdog journalists?' 'Where are they now?' 'What can we do?'”

Steve Morse is one of the audience members and is a regular attendee of IndyFlix.

"IndyFlix is important because most of the people here wouldn't have the opportunity to see these films elsewhere,” said Morse. "The films we see articulate the progressive point of view in a reasonable way. We all feel it's the most patriotic thing a person can do to get informed, and that's what we're doing.”

Neal said that even though sometimes her fliers are taken down from public bulletin boards, many people still come to the films.

"This is an intelligent, reasonable group of people. We just want to get at the truth. Anyone is invited to join us,” she said.