Theater packed for 'Back to the Bottle' premiere

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HUNTINGTON -- There were few seats to be had inside the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center on Thursday night as Huntington residents came out for the premiere of Francesca E. Karle's "Back to the Bottle."

Karle's docudrama traces the life and tug of war of Huntington resident Paul Meade with alcohol. She also made a 2005 documentary, "On the River's Edge," which took an in-depth look at homelessness in Huntington. Her documentary garnered national attention and won her the Best Young Filmmakers Award at the Film Festival.

The "Back to the Bottle" premiere is also part of the Appalachian Film Festival, which runs through Saturday, April 19.

The theme song for the film, which Karle wrote, was performed by Rick Ruggles of the Saturday Night Jamboree. Local artists Eddie Riffe and Tony Maynard of ETA performed a featured song, and national recording artist George Huff of "American Idol" fame performed live.

The evening began with Karle and her documentary's stars making their red carpet appearance by arriving in a stretch limousine on 10th Street and 4th Avenue about 7 p.m. where a crowd looked on from the bleachers. Live radio and news coverage were also on-hand for the event.

After viewing all of the people who came out to support her and her documentary, Karle said she is very thankful and appreciative of the public.

"It shows me that God has a purpose for everything that I'm doing," she said. "I'm overwhelmed and blessed."

Karle said the film took about nine months to make and said she enjoyed directing this one better than her first one.

"The first one was hard and intense because it was difficult seeing people homeless," she said. "But I had more fun with this one because I used actors who did dialogues."

The idea for the film came about when Meade, who was featured in "On The River's Edge," got on an alcohol binge and was struck by a car about a year and a half ago.

He almost died, underwent a tough year of rehabilitation, then turned back to the bottle.

"Francesca came and visited me at the hospital and approached me about doing the documentary," Meade said. "She's very kind-hearted, and I'm glad that she cares about folks like us."

George Snider, marketing director of the Film Festival, said the festival is very privileged to have a filmmaker like Karle.

"It's exciting to see that she's grown as a filmmaker, along with her creative vision," he said. "Huntington should be proud of what she's done. She is truly an Appalachian filmmaker."

With supporters standing by her side, Karle said she hopes the public will become more informed about alcoholism after viewing the documentary.

"I want them to know that there are people who care and realize a change can be made," she said.

Chris Harris/The Herald-Dispatch

David “Punk” Otunga escorts Francesca Karle down the red carpet for the premiere of her film, “Back to the Bottle,” at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center on Thursday.