With lush aerial shots of Duluth's hillside and tranquil images of the lakeshore, a new documentary about the city called "Fresh Duluth" attempts to answer the perennial Northlander's question of why we live here.
Tom Isbell, a nationally recognized theater professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, narrates the film using his personal story of why he chose to make his home in Duluth rather than someplace more glamorous such as Los Angeles. A cast of Duluthians, from the much-feted architect David Salmela to Canal Park horse-drawn carriage driver Cindy Shovell, make their pitches about the city throughout the film's 30 minutes.
"Fresh Duluth" will premiere on WDSE/PBS-8 at 9 and 11 p.m. today. Tom Livingston, who directed and produced the film, said he hopes it eventually will be distributed throughout the Midwest.
"It kindles something in people's hearts and minds about why we live here," said Livingston, a co-owner of ProVideo. "It reminded me about how special this place is."
Livingston said he has been working on the $250,000 documentary for the past three years. UMD, Visit Duluth, APEX and SMDC were major financial contributors, and received five- to 10-minute, targeted documentaries in return.
ADVERTISEMENT
Visit Duluth already is using its piece, which focuses on attracting the meeting and convention market, on its Web site and in marketing efforts, said President and CEO Terry Mattson. The tourism office also has access to a library of archival footage shot during all four seasons in the city.
"There are very few ways different economic sectors can come together and work on a large, visionary project," Mattson said. "There is no one-size-fits-all marketing tool, but there's something everyone can glean from [the documentary] and the library of footage."
Rod Raymond, UMD's fitness and wellness director and an entrepreneur, features prominently in the film for his business ventures and the fitness endeavors he takes advantage of. He was interested in the project because he's "sold on Duluth," he said.
"The video creates value," Raymond said. "I hope it creates enough value that people say, 'Duluth, that's really a cool city. It's no longer a down-and-out, depressed place. Duluth is a land of opportunity.' "
The DVD will be available for purchase for $20 through the Web site freshduluth.com.
