| Among other things, this documentary on Hoopeston, Illinois takes an in depth look at the world famous Witch School that was born there.
Midwest Witches: "Hoopeston's" Midwest Premiere at Chicago Underground Film Festival Witches will come out a day early this year. Hoopeston, a feature-length documentary about an Illinois town and its Witch School, will play in the Chicago Underground Film Festival on October 30, the night before Halloween.
Produced by SYNYDYNE, Hoopeston tells the story of the former Sweet Corn Capital of the World through the lives of its residents: a laborer struggles to find work, a young entrepreneur buys the only motel in town, the police chief battles a drug epidemic, and the Correllian Chancellor lays plans for a vast Crystal Web. The film balances the stark beauty of rural Illinois with candid and moving interviews from a variety of subjects. It features an original score by composer Todd Mazierski.
"People haven't seen a movie like this before," said Jake Bakkila, the film's interviewer and producer. "It's a story of upheaval, futility, and crystal magic – all set against the twilight of small-town America."
Hoopeston premiered to sold-out theaters at the New York Underground Film Festival (NYUFF) in April. Its screening at the Chicago Underground is the film's Midwest premiere, just two hours North of the eponymous Hoopeston, Illinois. After its run in Chicago, the documentary will be available for purchase on DVD.
"Since NYUFF, so many people have got in touch with me asking how they can see Hoopeston. It's great that we can finally bring it to a Midwestern audience," said director Thomas Bender.
Hoopeston received finishing funds from the newly-formed Milwaukee Tourism Commission (MTC), a privately-funded bureau that aims to promote Midwestern growth and rebuilding.
"If we want the Midwest to recover, people need to hear Midwestern stories," said MTC President and CEO Larose Burton. "I saw Hoopeston at the New York Underground – and I had SYNYDYNE on the phone before the credits started rolling."
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