by Ken Robinson

Britt, Dave and Bob are three buddies at an age where many are in their dotage. All have lived full lives and continue to do so with gusto as portrayed by first-time director Taylor Guterson in his debut film, Old Goats.

The film has already won several important awards in the independent film world. The fact that it was made in and around the Seattle area gives it a special flavor for Northwest audiences. The 'actors' are real guys you might see in any cafe having coffee together and bickering over some small point. There is some of the quality of grumpy old men in this. But there is also abiding affection between them. They all are members of that club to which you automatically join once you reach a certain. Director Guterson (whose father authored the book Snow Falling on Cedars) rounded up this gray trio and scripted a film that has some of the character of a documentary but is a lovely cinematic portrait of three friends squeezing every bit of juice they can from life.

The film traces the individual lives of the men while interweaving their paths and shows us the power of friendship which as human beings we seek and need.

We watched the film with our 92-year-old father, who is a widower. The Old Goats are a bit younger, but years cease to matter once you reach the threshold of old age. Dad found the film very moving. The bond between the men resonated with him strongly because of his lifelong practice of drawing buddies of all ages to himself. He said "It rang some bells." But he also made a point about the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. "Mainly, once the woman decides to move in with the guy, she wastes no time!" To learn what he meant, go see Old Goats.

Special Showing
Senior citizens who have dreamed their entire lives of attending a Hollywood-style Movie Premiere will have their dreams come true Friday, August 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Uptown Theater when 275 residents of Merrill Gardens Retirement Home attend the sold out Gala Seattle Premiere of OLD GOATS. The event is the official kick-off of the film’s theatrical release.
 
The premiere will include a paparazzi-lined red carpet and a meet-and- greet with the film’s director and the stars of OLD GOATS. The 4:45 PM and 7 PM screenings will also be introduced by director Taylor Guterson.

From a press release:
 
"OLD GOATS is the story of three older men who refuse to go quietly into the night of retirement and old age. Cantankerous and set in their ways, each man must come to terms with the sunset years in his own unique fashion. Shot in and around Seattle, OLD GOATS finds humor in the everyday foibles of retirement life, providing a perspective on the golden years through the eyes of three men who don’t feel (or act) anywhere close to as old as they look."
 

Old Goats - Opening Weekend Screening Schedule: Friday, August 17 4:45 PM, 7:00 PM
 Saturday, August 18 12:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:45 PM, 7:00 PM
 Sunday, August 19 12:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:45 PM, 7:00 PM
 For ticket information, visit the film's website: http://www.oldgoatsthemovie.com/
 Or call the theatre box office: 206-324-9996
 All shows at:
 
SIFF Cinema at the Uptown
511 Queen Anne Avenue North (across from DICK’S)
Seattle WA 98109
http://www.siff.net/cinema/index.aspx