Overview
Hellertown Historical Society is offering a special screening of the critically acclaimed short film about the 1798–1799 tax revolt in Northampton, Bucks, and Montgomery counties. Macungie’s Jason Searock, who portrays John Fries in the film, will be in attendance to introduce the story.
The event is held in the Historical Society’s Tavern venue located in the lower level of the historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill building at 170 West Walnut Street, Hellertown PA 18055. Free off-street parking is available adjacent to the west side of the building and across Walnut Street near the Saucon Rail Trail access. Complimentary light refreshments will be offered.
Tickets and Attendance...
We expect this event to be very popular and with limited seating for 50 persons, we will control attendance by the use of tickets. There is no cost to obtain tickets, however, you must have a ticket in order to attend.
Tickets may be obtained by stopping at our office during business hours. 150 West Walnut Street, Hellertown PA 18055 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:30AM-12 Noon. Or, you may call our office at 610-838-1770 to order tickets for pick up or we can mail them to you.
If persons are unable to attend or if there is enough interest in future screenings, we will schedule them to accommodate all interested persons.
“Macungie Township in the late 1790s was a hotbed of patriotic protest. Local farmers and others joined together to voice strident opposition to the way they perceived the new nation was going under President John Adams’s administration and rebelled against a new federal tax. Named after its leader, John Fries (pronounced “freeze”), the Fries Rebellion made waves at the highest levels of the new government.”
REVIEW – ‘The Fries Rebellion’, directed by Dan Hertzog, is an educational short that bridges past and present through the eyes of Kayla (Nancy Kimball), a high schooler who reluctantly returns to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley and must complete a school project on the areas history. Little does she know, this mundane task will pull her deep into history – quite literally.
Guided by her uncle Steve (Jon Reinhold), a local history professor, Kayla begins learning about the Fries Rebellion of 1798-99, a lesser-known protest against the Federalist government’s house tax. The film, written by Sarajane Williams, cleverly shifts between Kayla’s modern-day life and vivid flashbacks to the past, allowing the audience to experience her supernatural visions as she’s transported to a world centuries before.
‘The Fries Rebellion’ pulls you in because of is high-end craftsmanship. The cinematography is sharp and rich, effortlessly moving between the present and the past, with costumes and production design that feel authentic to the era. There’s a haunting quality in the way these historical moments unfold – both visually and emotionally. Hertzog’s direction captures a surreal atmosphere as Kayla becomes more intertwined with the history, even as her family’s own roots in the area are revealed.
The supernatural aspect – Kayla’s ability to witness history firsthand – adds a layer of intrigue to the educational narrative. As she tours local taverns and historic sites with Steve, her growing connection to the past and its characters becomes more profound, hinting at something far deeper than just a school project.
This is an immersive journey through time, with stellar performances that ground the fantastical elements in real emotion. If you’re into drama with a twist of the paranormal, ‘The Fries Rebellion’ delivers both knowledge and suspense in a well-crafted, memorable package. Highly recommended.
Admission
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