WOODSTOCK, VT
Eagle Times Staff
WOODSTOCK, VT — Join the Billings Farm & Museum for a continent-crossing hero’s journey told through country music in “Dusty & Stones,” presented by the Woodstock Vermont Film Series as part of the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival 2023 Vermont Fall Tour.
Screenings will take place in the Billings Farm Visitor Center Theater on Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. Sunday’s screening will be followed by a discussion with film editor Loulwa Khoury led by Film Series Curator and Vermont filmmaker Jay Craven.
This documentary follows the remarkable path of Gazi “Dusty” Simelane and Linda “Stones” Msibi, two talented country music singers from a tiny African kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), whose passion for country music leads them to the heart of country music in Nashville, TN. The charming duo is unexpectedly invited to record their songs and participate in a Texas battle of the bands. The film captures their 10-day road trip through the American South as they explore the iconic locations of their favorite country songs, and they find themselves deeply immersed in the culture they have admired from afar.
The film has been praised as “one of the most compelling and joyful music documentaries of the year” by Living Life Fearless and described as a “captivating crowd-pleaser that weaves contemporary politics into its backdrop” by The Film Stage.
Eden Ciders, Shelburne Vineyard and Iapetus Wines will present tastings in the Billings Farm Visitor Center from 2 to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Glasses or bottles of wine or cider will also be available for purchase. The newly merged cidery and wineries based in Newport, VT, are sponsors for the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival 2023 Vermont Fall Tour.
The Woodstock Vermont Film Series is dedicated to sharing place-based stories of people near and far, engaging audiences and inspiring conversations that increase connections with each other and our world. From Nov. 4 through Feb. 18, Billings Farm & Museum will present nine documentary films and go behind the scenes with special guests including film directors and producers.
Films will screen on select Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. in the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater. Film tickets are $15 for all screenings, and $12 for Billings Farm & Museum members. For tickets and more information, visit tinyurl.com/ye227aak or call 802- 457-5303.
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