Saving Brinton

Saving Brinton is a captivating documentary that offers a deep and entertaining insight into the world of classic film preservation and an enchanting narrative about a man's singular passion. Directed by Tommy Haines and Andrew Sherburne, the film encapsulates the love for cinema and historic film, and the triumph of determination in dedication.

The film centralizes around an intriguing character, Michael Zahs, a retired, eccentric middle school teacher from Washington, Iowa, who finds himself by chance, the caretaker of an extraordinary collection of early century film reels, artifacts, and projectors. Decades back, Zahs had stumbled upon the historical collection of Frank Brinton, regarded as one of the first pioneers in projecting motion pictures. After discovering a cache of these records in a farmhouse basement, including films by Thomas Edison, Georges Méliès, and the Lumière brothers, Zahs, driven by his natural curiosity and sense of responsibility, took it upon himself to protect and preserve this forgotten trove.

Despite the immense historical significance and intrinsic value of these relics, Zahs has an uphill battle attempting to raise awareness about the collection. The community around him seems indifferent, and professional institutions such as libraries and museums are not interested. However, Zahs' persistence and love for Brinton’s works inspire him to travel throughout Iowa, sharing Brinton's historical films with appreciative audiences in schoolhouses, local theaters, and even a barn.

Furthermore, Saving Brinton introduces us to the figure of Frank Brinton, whose collection Zahs is safeguarding. Brinton was no ordinary cinephile. He was a showman, a sophisticated entertainer who toured around the US with his magic lantern, a proto-slide and film projector, mesmerizing crowds with reels of footage that few had ever seen before. This obscure cinematic pioneer is brought back to life as we delve deeper into his historical documents, photographs, and film reels, providing an enticing glimpse into the roots of cinema as we know it.

In the course of the film, Zahs recieves assistance from renowned French film preservationist Serge Bromberg and Greg Prickman, head of Special Collections at the University of Iowa Libraries. Serving as the steward of the Brinton collection, Zahs' collaboration with experienced film archivists from across the world establishes the significance of the Brinton collection in cinematic history. He also gets a lifetime opportunity to travel to Brussels, and with the assistance of Bromberg, host a special screening of the restored Brinton film from the 1890s at a major film festival.

The beauty of Saving Brinton is its ability to weave the narratives of two true enthusiasts - Frank Brinton and Michael Zahs - separated by a century, yet united by their love for film and the magic it can create. The film is a moving tribute to these devoted individuals, painting a picture of the past through Zahs' introspective journey, and discovering Brinton's long-lost influence on film history.

Beyond its undeniable aesthetic and historical interest, the film marks an essential reflection on the relationship between the past and the present and the obsessive drive of individuals like Zahs and Brinton, whose passions continue to keep history alive. As Zahs says, "it's not what we have, it's what we keep," the film encourages viewers to appreciate the timeless vitality of historical artifacts and the significance of preservation.

Through Saving Brinton, directors Tommy Haines and Andrew Sherburne deliver an intriguing, in-depth, and heartfelt portrayal of the usually unnoticed world of film preservation, seasoned with the charm of rural Americana, and the magic and history of early filmmaking. This documentary serves as a homage to film history and the individuals who dedicate themselves to preserve and share the world's early cinematic treasures. It is not only a film about saving Brinton's collection but also about saving memories and moments etched in time through celluloid rolls and forgotten projectors, and the importance of finding a connection with our past through these vestiges of history.