Where Cool Kids are Nerds, and Everyone has Talent
“Try Harder” Shows the Humor and Pressure of the
College Application Process
A Woodstock Vermont Film Series feature documentary
Showing at Billings Farm & Museum
Saturday, Jan. 22 at 3PM & 5:30PM
WOODSTOCK, VT … On Saturday, January 22, the Woodstock Vermont Film Series will present “Try Harder” a humorous and heartfelt look at the reality of the American college application process, in showings at 3PM and 5:30PM.
The documentary focuses on San Francisco’s top public high school, Lowell High school, where seniors are stressed out. As they prepare for the emotionally draining college application process, students are keenly aware of the intense competition for the few open spots in their dream colleges. They scrutinize how every element of their application, from their classes to their extracurricular activities to their racial identities, might be read by admission officers.
At Lowell, cool kids are nerds, nearly everyone has an amazing talent, and most of the student body is Asian American. With humor and heart, director Debbie Lum shows us the reality of the American college application process and the intersection of class, race, and educational opportunity as experienced by high school seniors living through it. Try Harder! is a portrait of young adults in the most diverse American generation ever as they navigate a quintessential rite of passage and make it their own.
This season the 12th Annual Woodstock Vermont Film Series will present a selection of 10 diverse films reflecting Billings Farm & Museum’s vision to share place-based stories of people near and far, to engage our audiences, and to inspire conversations that increase connections with each other and our world. The Woodstock Vermont Film Series is curated and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jay Craven, and produced by the Billings Farm & Museum, with generous support from local sponsors. We gratefully acknowledge our lead sponsors: D. R. Horne & Company and the Woodstock Inn & Resort, as well as Ellaway Property Services, Inc.
In re-opening the Billings Farm & Museum Theater to the Film Series, the health and safety of guests is a top priority. The theater has been upgraded with a MERV 13 filtration system, a hospital level standard for air filtration that is more effective in capturing small airborne particles. Film attendees are required to wear masks in the theater at all times and to show proof of vaccination to enter.
Reservations are strongly recommended as seating is limited. Purchase advance tickets online at billingsfarm.org/filmseries or reserve by phone at 802-457-5303 by noon on January 21. Tickets may be available for purchase at the Ticket Desk on the day of the film if seating allows.
Masks and proof of vaccination are required to attend. We recommend providing proof of vaccination online in advance to avoid lines. Find the form at billingsfarm.org/proof-of-vaccination-form/ .For a complete list of screenings and to purchase tickets visit: www.billingsfarm.org/filmseries.
Billings Farm & Museum is owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation Inc., a charitable non-profit institution. Billings Farm & Museum is committed to providing educational opportunities and experiences to our visitors, whether here in Woodstock, Vermont or at home wherever you are through our online resources at Billings Farm at Home. Visit us on billingsfarm.org, and find us on Facebook at facebook.com/BillingsFarmMuseum/ and Instagram at instagram.com/billingsfarm/.
Photo courtesy of Try Harder
