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South Bay | Arts + ActionStanding Ovation for Pam Walton's *Raging Grannies: The Action League*
A hit of the Cinequest Film Festival 2009, director Pam Walton's movie about the San Francisco Bay Area Raging Grannies played to a full house at its premiere showing; when Walton and the Grannies took the stage following the movie for a Question and Answer session, they received a standing ovation and multiple bouquets of flowers from the enthralled audience.  prepamgreets.jpg Pam Walton's documentary reveals what's behind the outrageous actions of the Raging Grannies with insight into what makes them tick. Walton followed these women "of a certain age" for over two years and found that while they sometimes appear to be anything BUT grandmotherly in their street actions, their passion for being grandmothers to the world is behind their motivation to keep going. Walton uncovers "granny moments" that include both friendly and less-than-friendly interactions with counter-protesters and police officers, and delves back into some of the Grannies' earlier lives that include military service, activist awakenings, and family political differences.
 ac4pam.jpg Pam Walton is second from left
photo by A. Carlson photo copyright by Justin Miel http://www.gotmiel.com
Early arrivals were treated to Raging Granny Groupie buttons and colorful programs from the "Granny Goodie Box" This vet of WWII and Korea is a member of Veterans for Peace and a great follower of Raging Granny anti-war actions
photo copyright Justin Miel Granny Barb G. hands out programs
Photo by Terry via Brent Turner.  cineaudience.jpg  acstandingovation.jpg Grannies in shawls with back to camera, face a standing ovation from the enthusiastic audience
photo by A. Carlson Photo copyright by Justin Miel.
Photo copyright by Justin Miel.
Photo copyright by Justin Miel.
That's George Johnson behind Granny Shirley K; George is the Grannies' occasional baritone. Raging Grannies invite men to join them on the streets, and many do, but the group remains firmly in the control of women organizers. Photo copyright by Justin Miel.
The Grannies frequently sing on stage and on the streets with Annie and the Vets. All three of them are members of Veterans for Peace, as are some of the Raging Grannies. Photo copyright by Justin Miel.
Photo copyright by Justin Miel.
The Raging Grannies International Organization was founded over 20 years ago in Victoria, Canada. Pam Walton's film includes some of the earliest footage of the original Canadian Grannies. Today, through word of mouth and that "powerful tool" known as the internet, Granny gaggles can be found all over North America and in several foreign countries as well. Left to right: Granny Essie (originally from Iran via India) Granny Pat (from Minnesota), Pam Walton, Granny Gail (hailing from San Francisco) and ukulele player Granny Shirley P from Wisconsin.
photo by Stephanie for "Inside Cinequest"
The Grannies started by deputizing Claire from the film "Gotta Dance" as an honorary Raging Granny, then headed out to the after-parties. photo by EM
Photo thanks to Terry via Brent Turner
Far left: Granny Maria Marroquin is also Executive Director of the Mountain View Day Workers Center. A rally of Day Workers for immigrant rights is seen in the film with Granny Maria leading the other Grannies in a rousing "Si Se Puede!" Behind flowers in purple veiled hat: Granny Marian Bush, interviewed in the movie, recounts seeing the atomic bomb experiments when she was an air traffic controller in New Mexico during WWII. She is 92 years old. photo copyright Justin Miel
NBC San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate Channel 11 is a sponsor of the Cinequest Film Festival. They devoted an entire segment of their evening news program titled "NBC Bay Area Proud" to the film *Raging Grannies: The Action League* the night before the movie's premiere. Pam Walton and several of the Grannies were interviewed and a sneak preview of the film offered a taste of what was to come to the greater San Francisco Bay Area viewing audience. Member of Raging Granny "Men's Auxiliary" Patrick Fahey holds flowers that were later presented to Pam.
photo copyright by Justin Miel
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