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MelvinMelvin Owens made pottery in Seagrove, North Carolina, for over seventy years. He was from a long line of potters, a line drifting back to the 18th century and the founders of the Seagrove pottery industry. Melvin was eighty-three at the time this documentary was filmed driving his red Ford pickup from his home to his shop, where he spent a few hours every day making, or preparing to make, pots, face jugs and Rebecca pitchers that are truly collectibles, not only for their beauty but for their connection to the person who made them. A tiny part of his unique spirit may be instilled in those pots he turned, and ... maybe not. But that doesn't really matter. If you knew Melvin those pots will return memories of him - of something he said, something he did, or even something he didn't do, and then, most likely, you'll laugh in fondness of him. Then again, you may blush depending on who you are. Either way, Melvin will get to you. Melvin died in April 2003. The world is a better place because of his time here. Reviews: Library Journal, 2001 - Melvin Owens, of M.L. Owens Pottery in Seagrove, NC, is 83 years old and has been turning pottery for 70 years. This program lets Owens tell his story as he works in the shop (turning pots, preparing clay, and chopping wood for the kiln), plays his guitar and sings, and goes about daily activities. Adding their perspectives are several of his eight children and one of his grand-daughters who work with him or in other pottery businesses. Owens Pottery, according to his son Vernon, is the oldest continuous pottery manufacturer in North Carolina, having been started in 1895 by Owens's father. Vernon tells of his father's desperately hard childhood - Owens's father died when he was six - and his efforts to make a living with his pottery. Producer Sharkey skillfully mixes voiceovers of Melvin and Vernon, glimpses of the past through family photos, and comments from other family members to craft a portrait of a determined, hardworking man who has enjoyed his life and his craft. This program is an unforgettable portrait of a person who, although viewing his work as a livelihood rather than as an art, had a significant influence on North Carolina folk pottery. Sharkey's original music and Owen's songs form the score for this excellent production. Recommended for public library collections, especially those in the region and those with an emphasis on crafts. Melody Moxley. Video Librarian, January 2001 Offers an authentic, homespun slice of life unknown to most Americans, and is well worth considering for regional and oral history collections. Awards: WINNER 2nd PLACE BEST DOCUMENTARY CAROLINA FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL 2001! Film Festivals: CAROLINA FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL 2001 Title #233950 Format: DVD-R |
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