Regan Dillon, Sascha de Gersdorff and Jo Swani, left to right, smile for the camera at "The September Issue" film screening at the MFA. (Photo courtesy Museum of Fine Arts)

Boston's fashionistas recently enjoyed a special event at the Museum of Fine Arts, where the hotly anticipated documentary about editor Anna Wintour and "Vogue" magazine made its Boston debut.

A Sundance Film Festival favorite, "The September Issue" offers a unique look at the publishing of what is considered by many as "fashion's bible."

Film Director R.J. Cutler, members of the MFA's Friends of Film and Fashion Council, special guests of "Vogue," and many fashionable Bostonians attended the film premiere at the MFA's Remis auditorium and an exclusive reception prior to the screening at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, which is located next door to the MFA on The Fenway.

R.J. Cutler, producer of the groundbreaking and Oscar-nominated "The War Room," stepped into the director's chair for this all-access account of fashion's most mysterious icon, Anna Wintour, and the home she calls "Vogue."

Carter Long, the MFA's Curator of Film and Video, spoke about bringing the film to the MFA, the MFA's film program and the Friends of Film group.

For information about the MFA, its exhibitions and upcoming programs, be sure to visit www.mfa.org.

"A Chemical Reaction" Among Screenings at 25th Annual Boston Film Festival

The 25th Annual "Boston Film Festival" is scheduled for September 18-24 at the Landmark Kendall Square Theatre in Cambridge. During the past 24 years the festival has premiered such films as "American Beauty," "North Country," "The Piano," "Reservoir Dogs," "Jesus Camp," "The Ground Truth," "Flash of Genius," "Grace is Gone," and "Trade," to name but a few.

Additionally, numerous directors and performers have participated at the festival including: George Clooney, Greg Kinnear, Dane Cook, Sam Mendes, Sir Ridley Scott, Jerry Weintraub, Alison Eastwood, Robin Tunney, and many more.

"The Boston Film Festival" is dedicated to supporting evolving filmmakers by providing a forum to showcase their artistic vision.

Although at press time the Festival schedule had not yet been posted on their official Web site, we were very pleased to learn about one of the screenings.

On the heels of a near-sellout world premiere at the World Film Festival in Montreal, the documentary "A Chemical Reaction" announced its first official United States screening at the Boston Festival on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.

Producers of the movie, which focuses on the anti-pesticide movement that is sweeping across Canada and into the U.S., also announced an alliance with Northstar Media of Norwalk, Conn., to sell broadcast and DVD rights around the world.

"We are thrilled to be working with 'A Chemical Reaction,'" said Andy Weir, president of Northstar Media. "The film is impactful without being 'preachy' and provides great information in an entertaining way. It needs to be seen by the masses and we expect to make that happen."

Directed by Brett Plymale of Portland, Maine, "A Chemical Reaction" was described as "rousing" and awarded four out of five stars by the film critics of the "Montreal Gazette."

Paul Tukey is the film's executive producer. A former HGTV host, the publisher of "People, Places & Plants" magazine, and the founder of the U.S. non-profit organization known as SafeLawns.org, Tukey appears frequently on screen while interviewing key figures in the anti-pesticide movement in Canada and the U.S. He said his goal in making the film is to create awareness of the health hazards and environmental degradation associated with lawn care.

"Canadian doctors and the Canadian courts have looked at the toxicity associated with chemical lawn care and have banned these products in much of that nation," said Tukey. "Our hope is that people watch the movie and say, 'Canada has banned these products, why do we still use them in the United States?'"

The town of Marblehead, Mass., which was the first municipality in the U.S. to ban lawn pesticides on public property, is depicted in the 80-minute movie. Much of the story, however, focuses on Dr. June Irwin, a dermatologist who spurred the first town in North America to ban lawn and garden chemicals pesticides.

For more information about "A Chemical Reaction," contact Brett Plymale at Brett@PFZMedia.com. To view a movie trailer, visit www.ChemicalReactionMovie.com.

For complete information about the "25th Annual Boston Film Festival," visit www.bostonfilmfestival.org and check back often for updates.

Michael Jackson Farewell Tribute at Club Café

On Saturday, September 26 Club Café, located at 209 Columbus Ave. in Boston, will host a "Michael Jackson Farewell Tribute" from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The entertainment-packed tribute to the pop-icon will coincide with the worldwide, mega-star "Jackson Tribute in Vienna."

Among the evening highlights: Celebrity impersonator Joe Posa will perform as Jackson; there will be a Michael Jackson best-impersonator contest; and a "Red Carpet" appearance by Posa as Joan Rivers.

The event is a benefit for the Harbor to the Bay AIDS Ride.

For ticket/admission information as well as contest details, call 617-536-0966.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
is compiled from various other sources such as news releases, PRNewswire services, etc.

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