"On occasion you see a film as intimate as the breath, rice-paper vulnerable, resilient like spring. That's the general picture. The specific one is this tender portrait of Marion Leonard, near centenarian and possibly Vermont's favorite environmental activist. Glimpses of moments that speak a whole life and an even bigger vision for all of us. A celebration of a hidden jewel, itself a jewel." — Maria Montenegro Vermont, U.S.A.

"With Under The Leakingest Roof, Larry Holden avoids not only the normal parameters of documentary filmmaking, but also the unfortunate cliches we've developed when portraying the elderly. He's found a beautiful story in his own backyard and was daring / smart enough to follow it. The end result is so subtly inspiring / profound I feared a lazy eye would miss the boat, but Holden does not compromise for casual moviegoers, and for that we should all be grateful." — Ben Lamm Georgia, U.S.A.

"In our busy lives, often all we have time for is that which is right in front of us, and with the entertainment industry being as it is... But amidst these average manufactured works that are consistently spoon-fed to us by the profit-hungry powers that be, there exists some things that are special and true and real for us to experience. There are breathtaking pieces of film that lie undiscovered out there. Fresh, new, beautiful things. Larry Holden's "Under the Leakingest Roof" is one of them. Shot on the day of the 2008 presidential election in America (and a few days afterward), this half-doc - the first in a hinted-at series from Holden Automotive - offers us a glimpse into the lives of a couple inhabitants of a quiet, shared residence for seniors. These people have seen and felt and done so much, and it's absolutely wonderful to get the chance to actually watch and listen to those we frequently don't have time for in everyday life, sad to say. The intensity of Holden's lingering close-ups really expose a poignant ambiguousness, as we feel both their tragic knowledge of the inevitable, nearing end, but also share the burning vitality that still shines inside. Extra layers of challenge and meaningfulness are deftly blended into the emotions of the viewer by way of the filmmaker’s choice to let the election serve as a sort of spine, if you will; one that subtly allows these people to stand on their own once again, and offer us all of the ever-present love and passion that they still have for the world, one they'll soon be departing. Under The Leakingest Roof isn't necessarily a tale - well, not a conventional one anyway - but it quietly tells a thousand stories." — Andy Wooding London, England

"Under the Leakingest Roof captures something simple and grand... and something that doesn't really seem possible to capture at all. Here on earth there are people with real and interesting stories just wandering around waiting for them to be properly told. Mr. Holden has taken the time to tell a few of these stories. This movie primarily takes place at a nursing home, but I have a feeling he could make it happen anywhere he wanted. That is not to say his undertaking is a simple one... he is just really good at it. He and his magical camera operator, Hanne Kristiansen, neither hide themselves nor do they go out of their way to make their presence known. It creates an authenticity that I really enjoyed. This also allows us to see how much Holden actually cares about the people he is making a movie about. You can hear the un-exploitative love in his voice. By the end of it all I wanted to grab a camera and go have a chat with my grandparents, neighbors, co-workers etc. Unfortunately I am not Larry Holden, so I have a feeling it would not turn out as special as this little gem. But after seeing the movie... I honestly found myself listening more carefully to the stories of those around me. It is pretty neat when a movie has an actual identifiable effect on the way you experience life and the world. " — Rob Tiffin Georgia, U.S.A.

 

© 2009 Holden Automotive