Director Noah Hutton Brings His Film 'More To Live' to Vegas Cine Fest

Wednesday, 24 August 2011 22:13 <a href="http://www.theflickchicks.com/index.php/component/comprofiler/userprofile/pfantasia.html">Patty Fantasia</a> Feature Articles - Patty Fantasia

Director Noah Hutton Brings His Film 'More To Live' to Vegas Cine Fest

By Patty Fantasia

Director Noah Hutton Brings His Film 'More To Live' to Vegas Cine Fest

One of the highlights at the Vegas Cine Fest Film Festival which was held at the Tropicana Resort and Casino from August 25-27 was the Las Vegas premiere of the award-winning documentary “More to Live For” on August 26th at 7:00pm. In addition to the screening there was a bone marrow drive held from 5:00pm – 10:00pm where attendees were invited to join the International Registry (a cheek swab) for free, a Red Carpet from 4:00-6:00pm and a Q&A with director Noah Hutton afterwards. The talented filmmaker has also had been invited to join the Festival’s Advisory Board and hosted an after party later that evening at Nikki Café.

This seems to be just the beginning of an exciting time for Noah, who was born in 1987 in Los Angeles to actors Timothy Hutton and Debra Winger, He spent his childhood on and around film sets and developed a passion for filmmaking on his own at an early age. Entering Wesleyan University as a freshman in 2005, he then traveled to Uganda with the Jacob Burns Film Center’s World Crew program in 2007 and co-directed a documentary film entitled “Shooting for Peace” that tracked three pressing issues in that country: child soldiers, water treatment and HIV/AIDS orphans. At 21, he made his directorial debut with “Crude Independence”, a documentary about the oil boom in North Dakota. This extraordinary first film was an official selection at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival and won the Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2009 Oxford Film Festival.

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Noah Hutton and James Chippendale
Photo credit: Patty Fantasia

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James Chippendale, Noah Hutton and Susan Brecker
Photo credit: Patty Fantasia

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Noah Hutton, Seun Adebiyi, Susan Brecker, James Chippendale
Photo credit: Patty Fantasia

Hutton was then asked by the producers of “More to Live For” Susan Brecker and James Chippendale to direct this compelling film, which tells the story of three men in need of a bone marrow donor: 15 Time Grammy winner Michael Brecker, Olympic hopeful Seun Adebiyi and entertainment insurance executive and co-founder of the Love Hope Strength Foundation James Chippendale. While showing their struggle for survival, the film demonstrates how simple it is for people to give this precious gift of life and prove that one individual truly can make a difference.

The project was a good choice for Noah on many levels. First of all he finds it inspiring to make documentaries because they have the potential to tell stories at a different depth and speed that people are accustomed to watching mainstream media. He believes this provides the opportunity to spend more serious time with a subject or in a place and then to present that material through a creatively edited perspective. He said, “I am also inspired by the chance to make a tangible difference with a film. That is something that making “More to Live For” was all about—here we have a chance to inspire people through watching a film, to sign a list where they could potentially save a life painlessly and at no cost to them.

However, filmmaking in this genre is not without challenges such as giving the story you’re trying to tell the patience it deserves. He also believes, “If there is a clear distinction between my voice and other people’s viewpoints then I have not done what I intended to do with the film. My voice should be in the honest presentation of other people’s viewpoints.”

Aside from being a filmmaker, Hutton is also a musician and was a close friend of the Breckers. “I knew Michael Brecker, and like all those who did, was so frustrated when his match could not be found. When Susan approached me with the opportunity to make a film that would help more people get on the registry so that more people can find their matches before they leave us, I saw it as a chance to help someone find what Mike couldn’t,” he said. “From Mike I learned lessons of grace and humility, and saw a master at work. Seeing him record Pilgrimage will alone be a source of inspiration for the rest of my life,” he continued. He also considered it a plus to be working with friends who share a common pursuit like this one. Hutton is very proud to be part of the many festivals “More to Live For” has been named an official selection concluding, “I hope audiences leave with the inspiring messages of these three individuals, and are moved to join the registry.”