Film festival gives insight into life along the rails

By Sam Carlson

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

The train has long been a means of transportation for people, and not just the ticket-buying passengers of Amtrak. A whole culture of freight-train hoppers that took off during the Great Depression still exists today, according to a documentary film festival that took place at the Replay Lounge on July 16.

A mixture of full-length feature films and YouTube shorts that made up the Hobo Film Festival told the stories of those who hitched free rides on freight trains across the country.

Shawn Lukitsch, owner of the small film production company that produced some of the films and organized the festival, said he had been riding freight trains since 1994. He said he thought that train riding was the last remaining form of “red-blooded American adventure.”

“I really cannot explain what it’s like to be out there,” he said. “If you want a kick in the ass, this is it.”

About 30 people sat inside the bar, located at 946 Massachusetts St., to get a glimpse at the rarely-seen side of the railroads.

One movie told of the camaraderie between the hobos, who were defined as traveling workers. Tramps were defined as traveling non-workers, and bums as non-traveling non-workers. The film also explained that the rails provided hobos with a forum to get together and tell their tales.

Lukitsch said that the hobo culture was dying, and the film festival was an attempt to preserve its legacy.

“We want to make it a point that it’s not something that’s going to be around for long,” he said.

Alyssa Montoya, a Lawrence resident who called herself a “traveler,” said the world of train riding is a well-kept secret.

“A lot more people are traveling for free and no one knows it,” she said.

Lukitsch said that the hobo culture consisted of people from all walks of life who were in search of adventure. He said he’s met a wide variety of people on the train, including neurosurgeons and psychologists. He added that the term “hobo” shouldn’t carry a negative connotation.

“They’re not scumbags, they’re professionals,” Lukitsch said.

One movie contained interviews with former hobos sharing their stories about life on the rails. The hobos strummed guitars and sang songs while others described the “hobo stew” that was commonly eaten.

At least one audience member didn’t think the films accurately portrayed hobo life.

“A lot of it is romanticized,” said Manny Manzani, a Lawrence resident. “It’s a lot about good times. Being a hobo isn’t just about good times.”

The Hobo Film Festival tour began in Asheville, N.C., earlier this month and will make more than 20 stops across the country before ending at the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa.

— Edited by Joe Caponio

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