DOCUTAH @ The Electric presents "Klunkerz"

DOCUTAH@TheELECTRIC(TM), Dixie State University and the DOCUTAH International Documentary Film Festival™ present the highly acclaimed documentary “Klunkerz” at The Electric Theater on Friday, March 25 at 7 PM. In the late 1960s through the 1970s a group of cyclists in Northern California's Marin County turned the bicycle world upside-down by taking their adventures off-road. This raucous and entertaining documentary will have you on the edge of your seat, even if you’ve never been mountain biking. The film features interviews with the pioneers of the sport and the more obscure characters who influenced them.
Director William Savage will conduct a filmmaker chat at The Electric after the screening. “Klunkerz” is the third in a series of monthly screenings at the Electric Theater. Tickets are $10.00 and available at the door or at the Jennings Building on the DSU campus. Space is limited to theater capacity.
“Far from the elite status of spandex covered bike racers on ten thousand dollar bikes, these guys turned their backs on that glitz and glamour,” said Phil Tuckett, Executive Director of DOCUTAH and Director, DSU Films. “Through trial and error and hair-raising rides careening down Mt. Tamalpais, they invented a new sport, but they sure had fun doing it.”
USA Today noted, “Savage’s funny and often poignant film looks at how a bunch of semi-stoned hippies in Northern California developed a unique style of off-road bike riding through collaboration and competition. Klunkerz is worth checking out even if you’re not a bike nut.”
Long before the mountain bike entered our global consciousness, the cycling enthusiasts of Northern California's Marin County rode modified pre-WWII bicycles down the slopes of Mount Tamalpais. They developed their bikes through rigorous field-testing, often risking life and limb to do so. Some of these cyclists were Category-1 road racers looking for a new way to train during the off-season. Others were simply fun-loving hippies looking for a new way to commune with nature. Their early bikes were scavenged from dumpsters and junkyards. It was from these humble beginnings that a multi-billion dollar industry, a form of recreation for the masses, and an Olympic event, were born. These hefty steeds were affectionately known as Klunkerz.
DOCUTAH@TheELECTRIC Schedule
Filmmakers or documentary subjects will be available for meet and greet chats at all DOCUTAH@TheELECTRIC screenings. The Electric Theater schedule for the coming months leading up to the 2016 DOCUTAH International Film Festival includes:
April 29 – Pete McCloskey, Leading from the Front. Produced and directed by Rob Caughlan. The film tells the colorful and inspirational life story of Pete McCloskey – U.S. Marine, Congressman, lawyer & environmentalist - a true American hero. Both Rob Caughlan and former Congressman Pete McCloskey will be onsite.
May 27 – Off the Rez, directed by Jonathan Hock. The documentary, which won an ESPN 30 for 30 award, follows former Oregon high school basketball star Shoni Schimmel and her family's journey from the Umatilla Indian Reservation to starring on the basketball court.
June 24 – The Day After Trinity; J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb, directed by Jon H. Else. Scientists and witnesses involved in the creation and testing of the first ever atomic bomb reflect on the Manhattan project and its fascinating leader, J. Robert Oppenheimer.
July 29 -The Great American Cowboy, directed by Kieth Merrill. This Oscar winning film tells the exciting, true story of this vanishing American and his special kind of freedom.
The August  26th screening will be announced soon.
DOCUTAH’s mission is to inspire a global connection through independent documentary films and intellectual discussions. DOCUTAH strives to enhance the education of independent filmmakers, aspiring film students, citizens of the world and the Community. DOCUTAH is one of the few university-sponsored film festivals in the United States. It is an International pure documentary film festival. As part of Dixie State University’s academic component, DOCUTAH also offers master class seminars and filmmaker panels where student, amateur and professional filmmakers can discuss and advance their skills in the art of filmmaking. www.docutah.com.