Nov. 7, 2006 -- A massive stretch of water opens up on the surface of icy North Long Lake in Brainerd, Minn. Determined to unravel this mystery for a television pilot called “Provincial Puzzlers,” an aspiring director is slowly engulfed in a maniacal search that leads to his own unraveling. Matt Zoller Seitz of the New York Press writes of  “The Hole Story”:  “It was one of my favorite unreleased films of last year and one of the saddest and funniest debuts I’ve ever seen.”

Gerald Peary of The Boston Phoenix adds: “It’s a kind of ‘mockumentary,’ but so much more, as there’s little ‘mock’ in this fictionalized non-fiction work and lots of drive and spiritual-existential ambition…‘The Hole Story’ can be hilariously funny, but it also dares ask, and seriously, why the hell are we on this earth?”

After the 7 p.m. screening at Vinegar Hill Theatre on Nov. 21, writer, director and lead actor Alex Karpovsky will discuss his critically acclaimed film in a live conference call with Virginia Film Festival director Richard Herskowitz. The interview will be followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Virginia Film Society events are co-sponsored by the Virginia Film Festival and the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Most screenings feature special guest speakers. Screenings are held at Vinegar Hill Theatre at 7 p.m. Admission to individual screenings is $8 and free to Film Society members.

For more information on membership in the Virginia Film Society, or to view the full fall season schedule, visit www.vafilm.com.