Penobscot Basket Maker

An arts and crafts biographical profile of Native American basket maker Barbara Francis--a member of the Penobscot tribe, born and raised on Indian Isle, Maine--Penobscot Basket Maker tells the story of a woman who left the island as a teenager, but came back at the age of 20, alone and pregnant, and was taken in by Alberta Nicola and Violet Frances Shay, two basket makers who taught her their secrets, as well as helped her discover more about her Penobscot heritage. Backed by a pleasant soundtrack of Native American music, Barbara's tale is literally interwoven with her work, as she shares her personal history while weaving baskets, offering viewers a close-up look at the detail that goes into even the simplest of designs. While presenting an engaging peek into a community where tradition still flourishes, and providing beautiful examples of the artist's work, the film's compelling center remains Barbara's story, who today combats rheumatoid arthritis--a heartbreaking condition for an artist who works with her hands. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Asala)