MOVIE REVIEW ARCHIVE | THEATER INFO |
Pretty Defining
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Field Guide to November Days is so precisely art-directed, all perfectly positioned kitschy prints and shelves overflowing with carefully selected knickknacks, that it’s easy to slip into thinking it’s a pretty, shallow, uber-hipster film — rather than that those retro calendars and vintage bedsheets are pieces of the film’s characters, symbols of all the things they’re trying, in however clichéd a manner, to define about themselves. The muted story of a broken-up couple who sort of reconnect, Field Days is a graceful, almost wordless trip through a specific side of Portland. Despite the awkwardness in certain dialogue-free moments, much of the film simmers like a music video as pretty people push near each other and drift away again, uncertain, unsatisfied. Director Nick Peterson uses color and line to unmissable effect, whether in the characters’ red-dotted wardrobes or the endless frames — picture, window — that draw straight lines and right angles through their nebulous lives. Field Guide was made almost entirely by bike, and Peterson and producer Mary DeFreese are bringing the film to town as part of a bike tour; it screens at 7:30 pm Friday, June 18, at DIVA. $5-$7 sliding scale.
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519