CLEARCUT: THE STORY OF PHILOMATH, OREGON

Northwest Tracking

CLEARCUT: THE STORY OF PHILOMATH, OREGON
DIRECTOR: PETER RICHARDSON
PORTLAND/CORVALLIS, 2006

VISITING ARTIST—Those who saw HOW TO DIE IN OREGON at PIFF 34 will find further evidence in this film of Richardson’s gift for gaining the trust of his subjects to tell their story. One of the great Oregon success stories, Rex Clemens built a lumber empire in the small town of Philomath. For decades, Clemens’ philanthropy helped the town in myriad ways. His foundation famously offered to pay the college tuition of every Philomath High School graduate, an act that provided opportunities for thousands of students. But with the decline of the lumber industry and an influx of new residents without sentimental ties to the business and values of past, the current generation of Clemens Foundation board members delivered an ultimatum to the school board: fire the Chicago-native superintendent whose “politically correct” ideals compromise the traditionalist values of the board, or they would cease the tuition grant program. Richardson, a Philomath native, draws out all sides of the bruising conflict with an even hand, via remarkably trusting and candid interviews. (72 mins.)

Director Peter Richardson will introduce the film.