Arts & Entertainment

Comments (0) Best Local Film - 2009

The Messenger, 360 Days of Bolivar

Moviemaker Shawn Welling stumbled upon a fascinating group of "swamp men" during a bike ride on Bolivar Peninsula. Hunting for a public restroom, he stopped into Norbert's Bait Camp & Bar. (It was like stepping into the bar scene in Star Wars, he would later say.) Inside Norbert's, Welling met a group of men with varied pasts, some shadier than others, each more eccentric than the next (Back-up Bert, for example, drives all over the peninsula in reverse because it's the only gear that still works on his pickup). The next time he visited Norbert's, Welling brought a film crew with him and started the documentary about the bar's regular customers, The Messenger, 360 Days of Bolivar. He would save these lost, discarded men, Welling thought. He didn't know that the men were thinking the same thing about him. (Welling completed only 360 days of filming; the project was interrupted by a little storm called Hurricane Ike.)

Download our Free Best Of App

My Voice Nation Help
3 comments
Sort: Newest | Oldest
Donna
Donna

Our family just moved to Houston and became acquainted with Shawn and had no idea he was a filmmaker as well as a dance choreographer! I've been informed that there are some really salty characters in the film and trust me- we've traveled the world and we've met some interesting people- We can't wait to see the film!

Scott
Scott

you will love this film- you'll laugh yourself into self-introspection...Roger that. Mr. Welling needs to order up another screening at the Landmark River Oaks Theater soon!

Search Best Of Awards

Best of Award Graphics

©2013 Houston Press, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Houston

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city