When I feature time capsule houses, I sometimes note how they are archaeology — they show and help us to understand how people of a certain time and certain place lived. In this documentary — “306 Hollywood” — siblings Elan and Jonathan Bogarín interviewed their grandmother Annette Ontell annually for 10 years. When she is gone, they then examined and analyzed everything in her house, like archaeologists. And then, as filmmakers, they put it all together… in a tender, magical way. The documentary airs on March 18 on POV on PBS, already is available on itunes, and will be streaming on Amazon Prime soon. Thank you, Gloria, for this wonderful tip!
“A loving archaeological expedition”
Was just listening to NPR and they were discussing a new documentary called “306 Hollywood.” A pair of siblings went through the house their grandmother lived in for over 70 years and treated it like a loving archaeological expedition. Furniture, dresses, foundation garments and wait till you see the green and chartreuse dinner set! … It will be on POV on PBS March 18, 9 pm. I hope you get a chance to see it. Thanks for this wonderful site. Gloria
“Transforming the dusty fragments of an unassuming life into an epic metaphor for the nature of memory, time, and history”
From 306 Hollywood’s website:
When siblings Elan and Jonathan Bogarín undertake an archaeological excavation of their late grandmother’s house, they embark on a magical-realist journey in search of what life remains in the objects we leave behind. 306 HOLLYWOOD transforms the dusty fragments of an unassuming life into an epic metaphor for the nature of memory, time, and history.
With boundless creativity and an irrepressible bouncing energy, 306 HOLLYWOOD memorializes and honors the life of the filmmakers’ grandmother Annette Ontell. Housewife, fashion designer, and beloved family member, Ontell lived seven decades in the same house—306 Hollywood Avenue in Hillside, New Jersey. Ultimately a profound reflection on how we examine and deal with the past, the film can also be viewed as a quirky instruction manual on how to live in the present….
Yes, this is where I will be March 18, 9 p.m. (also streaming Amazon Prime mid-2019). I am also… mesmerized… by this story and its exploration. More to come.
Kathy says
I saw this on POV on PBS, and it was one of the most powerful films I have seen about how intensely the essence of a loved one remains behind after death, and how hard it is to give up that presence. I felt that way after my mother died. They kept that house for five years and I hope the new owners love it as much as their grandma did.
Thank you so much for posting this! Watch this tonight and it was absolutely magical.maria says
Thank you so much for posting this!
Watch this tonight and it was absolutely magical.
Gregory McKinney says
I have a reverence for and profound curiosity of families who have stayed in one home for many years. I was on the move by the age of 18 months and have inhabited many locations, both with the folks and after moving out.
When friends go home to see mom, it’s usually to the same house they came home to as an infant. I honor concentrated memories like that. I’d have to decide which house represents home to me, and we’re talking about nine places before I moved out at 22!
normadesmond says
Thanks for the tip!
Evan Degenfelder says
Thank you Pam for putting this on your blog; otherwise I probably would never have heard about it. I’ve sent the link to my daughter who is involved in film, I’m sure she will enjoy it too. I can tell by the trailer it’s going to be fascinating.
CarolK says
I just had to check my PBS schedule for tomorrow. Today is all pledge time stuff, but it looks like tomorrow is back to the regular schedule so I’m watching POV at 9!