COLUMBUS, Ind. — Get your popcorn and snacks beforehand.
Because as soon as the first part of the local history documentary “It Began With Bartholomew” begins, it moves with the speed of Clessie Cummins’ diesel racer whipping around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Republic was allowed a sneak peek at the hour-long Part 1 recently, courtesy of the film organizers from the Bartholomew County Public Library and the Bartholomew County Historical Society. Those segments of the nearly three-hour production will be shown for free — though donations will be accepted — Saturday and beyond at the nonprofit YES Cinema, 328 Jackson St. in downtown Columbus.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this marks the first in-person event amid the Columbus Area Bicentennial, according to organizers. Planners have been waiting upon changing health safety guidelines for crowds before affixing firm dates to most other events, other than the Aug. 13-14 celebration at Upland Columbus Pump House downtown.
This overall presentation and production was coordinated by a four-person volunteer committee working with the Terre Haute-based media firm Envisionary. Unless you’re a pretty serious history nerd — and the Bicentennial is a great time to be one — some of the background and trivia highlighted will be new. The five-part film features an abundance of maps, file photos, drone footage, plus a few recorded interviews. Local broadcasting veteran John Foster narrates county historian Tamara Iorio’s script that bears Candy Carr’s input and assistance.
If you go
What: Showings of “It Began With Bartholomew,” the five-part, 2-hour, 45-minute documentary summarizing Bartholomew County’s 200-year history.
Showtimes: The film will be shown in two sections. The public premiere of the first section, which will include Parts 1 and 2, will be at 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a question-and-answer session with the writers, producers, and local historians. Further showings are at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, and April 21 and 10 a.m. April 24.
The public premiere of the second section which consists of Parts 3, 4, and 5 will be at 10 and 10:30 a.m. May 1, followed by another question-and-answer session. Other showings of that section will be 6:30 p.m. May 4 and May 5 and 10 a.m. May 8. After these dates, segments of the documentary will be released monthly online.
Where: Nonprofit YES Cinema, 328 Jackson St. in downtown Columbus.
Admission: Free, but donations will be accepted.
Information: mybcpl.org
