Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include a quote from Jason Lee.
Denton's Thin Line Festival,
a five-day film, music and
photography showcase, kicked off Wednesday evening with an ode
to the lovable college town. Crowds flocked to the iconic Campus Theatre on the square
for a screening of Midlake: Live in Denton, TX, a 90-minute feature of
the local band's 2013 concert at Dan's Silverleaf interspersed with footage of
landmarks around town.
Actor Jason Lee co-directed and produced the film with Eric
Noren. Lee connected
with the guys from Midlake at South By Southwest festival in 2004 and
became more involved with the band, even directing the music video for "Balloon Maker" that same year.
Apparently Lee developed an affinity for Denton as well. During a moderated Q&A after the sold-out screening Wednesday, an audience member asked the actor a two-part question: What do you love about Denton? And when do you plan to move here? Laughter followed last question, but Lee answered seriously.
His first answer: “The people.” His second answer: “This summer.”
In a follow up email, Lee clarified saying he aspires to have a local property in addition to his home in Southern California.
“I’d like to get some land here and be more involved with all things Denton, but of course we’d keep a place in LA as well and bounce back and forth,” he wrote.
As writer Chase Whale reported earlier this week, Lee, a
former skateboarder, also wants to build a
concrete skate park in Denton.
The Mid-Lee gang is screening Midlake: Live in Denton, TX in London next
week. After that, singer Eric Pulido said the film will be publicly released
via the band's record label with a vinyl featuring live tracks from the
concert.
“Or just email me and I’ll send you a link,” Pulido laughed.
Robert Wilonsky contributed to this report.
