Chateau Liberte' Independent Film Premiere

On July 10th, 2021 the feature documentary film The Chateau Liberte' premiered at the historic Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, California to a sold-out house. People were still avoiding crowds and public places due to the COVID19 pandemic. But about five hundred brave people came out to see this unique and fascinating film after waiting years for the self-financed independent film to be released.
The film was made by W.J. McKay in conjunction with a Silicon Valley museum that had created an exhibit about the 160 year old history of the structure and grounds. Although the Chateau Liberte' (under different names) had a number of "heydays" when it was a Wells Fargo stagecoach stop in 1865, a brothel and speakeasy in the 1920's and 1930's, and a farm-to-table dining destination, it's most famous era was the 1960's and 1970's.
The Chateau Liberte' was in those years a rock music venue where some of the most famous rock bands in history performed. Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead lived there for awhile. This was the place where the legendary Doobie Brothers got their start and had lots of fun and wild times too. Skip Spence of the San Francisco psychedelic rock band Moby Grape lived at the Chateau LIberte' as well. Several other bands are featured in the film including The Tubes, Hot Tuna, Kingfish, Sons of Champlin, and Timbercreek.
The Chateau Liberte' was a beloved hangout place for the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and former Chapter President Phil Cross assisted with the production.
In this video the film's Director W.J. McKay greets the audience and discusses some of his experiences producing this feature film using his friends and family as production assistants. Video imagery captured by longtime friend Ryan Zweng who was Associate Producer of the film. Theme music by the Lords of the New Church.
We thank all those independent film supporters who took an interest in this story and came out to the screenings, parties, press events, and museum functions over the decade that the film took to produce.
More videos pertaining to the Chateau Liberte' can be found on the Chateau Liberte' RUclips channel.
#rockandrollmusic #independentfilmmaking #chateauliberte

[@ChateauLiberteFilmPage]

Thanks to all of you who supported this film!

[@LieutenantSandcastle]

Here in Houston a film maker made a documentary about an iconic night club called Numbers which took years to make and when it was finished, they showed it on 2 nights at the club. It could not be shown commercially because they could not get film rights to show the performances featured in the film from the bands or their labels (or whoever holds the power there). I don't think they could even show it for free either for the same legal reasons. They showed it under the radar so to speak. So good luck with your film.

[@ChateauLiberteFilmPage]

Find a non profit partner, use your own money and check to see if you can produce it under the Fair Use act. And you’re so right. Never going be on Netflix!