Some might say that Mark Bittners mind flew the coop long ago just like the Red-Crowned Conures he cares for did before starting their own wild flock on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco where Mr. Bittner makes his home. Indeed, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, a documentary directed by Judy Irving, begins as a simple portrait of a West Coast eccentric feeding a flock of birds. Yet this film quickly morphs into an intriguing and endearing story about an inherently decent human being with little direction, who finds meaning and a means to do good by intertwining his life with a group of very intelligent and receptive animals, eventually forging a symbiotic bond with them. As the movie progresses and Mark shares the knowledge he has gained of the parrots and their interpersonal relationships, it becomes apparent that this film is a beautifully metaphorical lesson in the fundamentals of human relationships, taught through an observance of the existential purity of the animal realm. Matt Suter
Presented with the cooperation of the LI Parrot Society
Guest Speakers:
Friday, February 25 and Sunday February 27 at 7pm L.I. Parrot Society President Susan Chamberlain with her Amazon Parrot "Cracker" Saturday, February 26 Linda LaFleur, Chair, Parrot Adoption Committee, with blue and gold trickster "Ally Macaw" Sunday, February 27 Elise Negrin with her green-winged macaw "Jackie" Plus Special Guest Appearances by "Ratchet," a mitred conure like those in the film Meet the Members and Birds of The Long Island Parrot Society in the Cinema Lobby at all weekend and evening shows.
Special Long Island Parrot Society Benefit and Reception on Sunday, February 27 at 2pm
Info: 631-957-1100 e-mail: LIPSOFNY1@aol.com www.liparrots.org
USA, 2004, 83 min., color Director: Judy Irving, based on the book The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner Cast: Mark Bittner
