Indiana University East will host the premiere of the documentary film, 1:47, on Friday, April 4, at 8 p.m. in Vivian Auditorium. The black tie optional event will start with a reception at 6:30 p.m. in Whitewater Lobby.  Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased by contacting the IU East Office of External Affairs at (765) 973-8419. 

1:47 tells the story of the 1968 explosion in Richmond and the city’s ordinary – and extraordinary residents – who responded to the disaster.  The film makes use of black and white photographs, color slides, archival news film footage, and interviews from eyewitnesses, survivors, and those who worked to rebuild the city.  1:47 reveals the cause of the explosion and its effects on the city and people of Richmond and untangles the web of responsibility and blame that followed.

“It is our hope that those who come to see this film will leave with a better appreciation of the courage and sacrifice our community made in response to this tragic event,” said executive producer Rob Quigg.  “We hope that by telling this remarkable story in film, we have preserved this event for future generations.”

Additional screenings will take place at IU East during the 40th anniversary weekend.  Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased at the Vivian Auditorium door for screenings on Saturday, April 5, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, a companion exhibit in The Gallery at IU East will display photographs and artifacts related to the explosion.

1:47 was written and directed by Jean Harper, assistant professor of English at Indiana University East.  The film was produced and edited by Zack Parker whose most recent film, Quench, was the recipient of the best director award from the New York International Independent Film Festival.  Videographer for 1:47 was Jim Krause.

Proceeds from the premiere weekend will support a special annual summer intensive course at IU East titled “On the Line: Creating Art from Life.”  Working with award-winning faculty from IU East with expertise in nonfiction writing, poetry, fiction, and photography, students will write about and photograph places and people in east central Indiana and west central Ohio.  The final product of the course will be an annual public gallery exhibit in historic downtown Richmond, showcasing the work of IU East students.

“The greatest artists and writers find inspiration in the world around them,” Harper said. “Our goal with this summer program is to inspire students to create works of art and literature in and about their own community.  I also see this as a way to honor the memory of those who were lost in the downtown explosion. So many talented and gifted people were taken; we can never get them back, but we can remember their spirit, and honor that with our work of teaching and learning and making art out of the life around us.”

The 1:47 premiere at Indiana University East is sponsored by West End Bank, Creative Street Media Group, First Merchants Trust Company, First Bank Richmond, Monarch Beverage Company, US Bank, the City of Richmond, J.M. Hutton & Co., the Indiana University Foundation, and Wayne Bank and Trust.  Additional supporters include CS Kern, Kessler’s Team Sports, Meijer, the Allan and Miriam Rosar Donor Advised Fund of the Wayne County Foundation, and Porter Advertising.