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Bicycle Film Series:
Stars and Watercarriers
Friday, April 19, 7 p.m.
REI Seattle, 222 Yale Ave. N
Free!
 Another epic documentary by Jorgen Leth (director of “A Sunday in Hell”), this one follows the 1973 Giro d’Italia, but it’s not a story about the race—there are few clues to the general classification, time differentials, stage winners, or other facts. Instead, you get unforgettable images of Eddy Merckx, such as when he lets a hometown racer go off the front for a moment of glory then ferociously chases and passes him with a look that would give Lance Armstrong the shivers. And you get the “watercarriers”, aka the workers, whose images are perhaps more inspiring than Merckx’s—not to mention the somehow magic scene of glass bottles of water being opened with church keys and passed around the pack during the race.
In his film commentary Leth explains the fascination exerted by the great cycle races: "The most beautiful, most pathetic images cycling can give us involve extreme performances in classic terrain." The action literally emerges on the move and the riders readily assume the roles tradition and epic necessity allocate to them, with the central conflict between Belgian legend Eddy Merckx and the Spanish mountain specialist José Manuel Fuente. "Stars and Watercarriers" was created by a small film unit that use a vivid, documentary style to describe the race from close up and sometimes quite from within. The film consist of ten sections, each with a title such as "A road of pain" and "A peaceful day"; thus it alternates between dramatic and more peaceful passages, which Leth's commentary leads the viewer through soberly, empathetically and humorously.
 Throughout the film Gunner Møller Pedersen's music supports the dramatic and aesthetic aspects of the race and thus sets the mood. The music mimics the light tread of the mountain specialists when they are in focus and seems to indicate the beat as we watch the more powerful riders
*Chosen as one of the top ten bicycle films of all time by Bicycling Magazine
PREVIOUS 2012-13 FILM EVENTS:
The Levi Effect | The Untold Story of Levi Leipheimer 
Friday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m.
REI Seattle, 222 Yale Ave. N
Tickets are available in advance through
Brown Paper Tickets
Cascade members: $8
General public: $10
Levi Leipheimer has stood atop the podium of cycling’s most celebrated contests: The Tour de France. The Olympics. The Amgen Tour of California. The Vuelta a Espana. The Tour de Suisse. But beyond the race coverage lies a man whose impact on those around him is even more notable. From the millions in charity work to the reshaping of his hometown, he’s done it all nearly silently… Until now.
The Levi Effect is the true story of professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer who left behind the mountains of Butte, Montana for a life of cramped hotels, endless traveling, and shovelfuls of pasta across two continents. Many talented young athletes do the very same, but few can make a home for themselves amongst the agonizing competition of a grueling sport.
After years of struggling against the world’s top athletes, Levi finally earned a spot in their ranks. Now, at the apex of his career, he finds himself in a place that he’d never considered: that his greatest legacy may not be his racing success on the bike, but rather how he’s carried that success off the bike and captured the hearts of fans around the world. In the end, Levi’s unlikely impact on the lives of those around him; the community he unwittingly created, will eclipse the headlines and the flashbulbs of his racing career. For no single accomplishment will ever hold a candle to the changes we engender in the world around us.
Watch the movie trailer.
SPECIAL MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION:
Cycling the Pacific Ring of Fire - Full Circle
Friday, Nov. 30
6:45 p.m., doors open at 6:00
REI Seattle, 222 Yale Ave. N
Tickets are available in Advance through
Brown Paper Tickets
Cascade members: $10
General public: $12
"Cycling the Pacific Ring of Fire part 3...Full Circle" is a multimedia presentation documenting the adventures of Canadian cyclists Janick Lemieux and Pierre Bouchard on their 24,000 kilometer "volcano-hopping" mountain bike trek from Jakarta to Vancouver. During the 27 months they spent on the saddle the pair explored the volcanoes and cultures of Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Russia's Kurils and Kamchatka, Alaska, Western Canada, and Hawaii.
View trailer
This presentation will include over a thousand stunning images, several original video excerpts, and animated maps and graphics portraying their incredible journey. Janick and Pierre will be on-hand narrating it all with witty and insightful commentary and observations, intertwined with melodies and rhythms of Montreal composer Martin Tremblay.
Directly following the show guests are invited to join the filmmakers at Paddy Coyne's Pub across the street.
2012 FALL KICK OFF EVENT:
 Reveal the Path
Friday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m.
REI Seattle, 222 Yale Ave. N
Tickets are available in advance through
Brown Paper Tickets
Cascade members: $8
General public: $10
Join in as the creators of Ride the Divide take you on an adventure that will leave you with an eager desire to chart your own course to faraway lands or simply to discover with eyes wide open what's right around the bend.
 Regions explored include Scotland's lush valleys, Europe's snowcapped mountains, Morocco's high desert landscapes, Nepal's rural countryside and Alaska's rugged coastal beaches. Ride along and get lost in the wonders of the world Meet the locals living modest yet seemingly fulfilling lives, leading us to question what it means to live an inspired life however humble or extravagant. Filmed across four continents and featuring Tour Divide race legends, Matthew Lee & Kurt Refsnider, this immersive film is sure to ignite the dream in you. View the trailer.
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