Film Industry Veterans Christine Vachon and Todd Haynes Visit Port Townsend

Port Townsend, Wash. – On February 22nd, Goddard College and the Port Townsend Film Institute will co‐host a screening of the first two episodes of the HBO miniseries, Mildred Pierce, at 7pm at the Rose Theatre in Port Townsend. A Q&A with the writer/director Todd Haynes and producer Christine Vachon of the award‐winning drama will follow.

Co‐sponsored by the Port Townsend Film Institute (PTFI), with funding from the Peter Simpson Memorial Fund, the event is part of the Visiting Writers Series presented by Goddardʹs Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program.

“Both Christine and Todd are pioneers in independent film, and they are very much in alignment with the spirit of the college which is always on the cutting edge of change,” said Paul Selig, director of Goddard’s MFA in Creative Writing program. “We are honored to host them as part of the visiting writers series here at Goddard.”

During their stay in Port Townsend, Vachon and Haynes will also lead a two‐ hour workshop on adaptation that is open to Goddard MFA students and members of the Port Townsend Film Institute, which will take place on the Goddard College campus.

“This film screening marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between Goddard College and the Port Townsend Film Institute, and we’re grateful for the support of the Peter Simpson Memorial Fund to help make it possible,” said Janette Force, executive director of the PTFI. “Peter always envisioned bringing world‐class film professionals to Port Townsend throughout the year, and this new collaboration with Goddard College manifests that vision,” Force said.

Mildred Pierce is based on James M. Cain’s 1941 novel of the same title and is the second adaptation of the novel, after the 1945 film noir starring Joan Crawford. The book chronicles the life of a middle‐class housewife’s attempts to maintain her and her familyʹs social position during the Great Depression.

Haynes and Vachon were both nominated for Emmy awards for their work on Mildred Pierce, and lead actress Kate Winslet took home the Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for best actress in a miniseries for her performance.

The screening is on Wednesday, February 22nd at the Rose Theatre, 235 Taylor St., Port Townsend, Wash. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show begins at 7pm. Tickets will be available at the Rose Theatre box office beginning Wednesday, February 8th, with a limit of two tickets per person. This event is free and open to the public.

About Goddard College

Goddard College was chartered in 1938 at its Plainfield, Vermont campus by founding President Royce “Tim” Pitkin. In 1963, Goddard became the first U.S. college to offer adult‐degree programs, and now specializes in MA, MFA, BA and BFA low‐residency education. Offering accredited degree programs from campuses in Plainfield, Vermont and Port Townsend, Washington, Goddard’s low‐residency format offers the best of on‐campus and distance education, with experienced faculty advisors, rigorous on‐campus residencies, and the freedom to study from anywhere.

About Christine Vachon

Christine Vachon produced Todd Haynesʹ controversial first feature, Poison, which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival. Since then, she has gone on to produce many acclaimed American independent films including Far From Heaven (nominated for four Academy Awards), Boys Donʹt Cry (Academy Award winner), One Hour Photo, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Happiness, Velvet Goldmine, SAFE, I Shot Andy Warhol, Go Fish, Swoon, Iʹm Not There, Cracks, and Cairo Time. About Todd Haynes Todd Haynes is an independent film director and screenwriter best known for his feature films Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, Poison, Velvet Goldmine, SAFE, and the Academy Award‐nominated Far from Heaven and Iʹm Not There. He is the winner of numerous awards in the film industry, including top honors at the Cannes Film Festival, The Independent Spirit Awards, The New York Film Critics Circle Awards and many others. About the Port Townsend Film Institute The PTFI Mission is to bring inspiration and ideas through film. Our programs introduce communities to film as art, personal expression and celebration twelve months a year. For more information, visit: www.ptfilmfest.com