For its inaugural event, the 1990 America's Freedom Festival at Provo will present the Utah County premiere of "A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a Nation" Friday and Saturday, June 8-9, and Monday through Thursday, June 11-14, at the SCERA Showhouse, 715 S. State Street, Orem.
The feature-length film dramatically recreates the colorful events and personalities behind the creation of the U.S. Constitution. "A More Perfect Union" begins with scenes of the confrontations between the bickering divided states, moves through the heated debates during the scorching summer of 1789 and reveals the emotional victories and defeats of the convention."The film concludes with the jubilant inauguration of President George Washington - a sequence that was filmed at the Utah County Courthouse," said Cecelia Fielding, event chairwoman. The film was produced by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studio.
In addition to filming on the BYU Motion Picture Studio stages and at several Utah locations, the film crew traveled to Philadelphia and Williamsburg, Pa., and to Alexandria, Va., for location shooting.
The film has received several national awards, said Peter Johnson, BYU Motion Picture Studio director. Next month, the 23rd annual U.S. Film and Video Festival of Chicago will present the BYU studio with first-place Gold Camera Awards in three categories. Then, in November, the CINE Golden Eagle, the highest award given by the Council on International Nontheatrical Events, Washington, D.C., will be presented to the studio. The film also received two awards last January from International Film and Television Festival of New York: a gold award for the sound track and a silver award for original musical score.
"We think this will be a most fitting beginning for the festival," Fielding said. "The film is both entertaining and educational, and the fact that there are numerous showings that are all free makes this a perfect activity for families and civic or church groups."
The film will be presented nightly at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Except for the opening-night premiere on June 8 at 7 p.m., all screenings will be free and open to the public.
Tickets for the performances are available at the SCERA office, the BYU Administration Building information desk and the Provo City Center information desk.
"While tickets will be available at the SCERA just prior to the screenings, patrons are encouraged to pick up tickets in advance to ensure having a seat," Fielding said. For group reservations, contact Fielding at 378-4377.
Sponsors of the event are the Karen and Alan Ashton Family and the SCERA Showhouse.