Jefftowne

{{short description|1997 film directed by Daniel Kraus}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Jefftowne | image = File:Jefftowne (1997) DVD cover.jpg | alt = | caption = DVD cover | director = Daniel Kraus | producer = | writer = | screenplay = | story = | starring = | narrator = | music = | cinematography = Daniel Kraus | editing = Daniel Kraus | studio =  | distributor = Troma Entertainment | released = {{Film date|1997|09|08|Iowa City}} | runtime = 59 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = | gross =  }} '''''Jefftowne''''' is a 1997 American documentary film shot, directed and edited by Daniel Kraus, and distributed by Troma Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guide to the Daniel Kraus Papers, 1987-2016, SC.2020.01 |url=https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt:US-PPiU-SC202001/viewer |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=digital.library.pitt.edu}}</ref> It chronicles the life of Jeff Towne, a 40-year-old Iowa City resident who has Down syndrome, obesity, alcoholism, and circulation problems. The film opened at the Bijou Theater in Iowa City on September 8, 1997,<ref name="Ulstad 1997">{{cite news|last=Ulstad|first=Larissa E.|date=September 11, 1997|title=UI student's film draws mixed reviews|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-jefftowne-1/107686989/|page=2A|access-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref> and later screened at the Chicago Underground Film Festival in 1998.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=1998|last=Pride|first=Ray|title=Festival Roundup {{!}} Chicago Underground Film Festival|url=https://www.filmmakermagazine.com/archives/issues/fall1998/fests/chicago.php|magazine=Filmmaker|issn=1063-8954}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Koziarski |first=Ed M. |date=2010-05-13 |title=Three Works About Work |url=https://chicagoreader.com/film/three-works-about-work/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmmaker Bios |url=http://www.theclosershegets.com/Bios.html |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.theclosershegets.com}}</ref>

==Production== Kraus began shooting footage for ''Jefftowne'' in 1996.<ref name="Ulstad 1997" />

Towne died May 4, 2018, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics at age 59.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/press-citizen/obituary.aspx?n=jeffrey-allen-towne-jeff&pid=188940190&fhid=13623| title = Jeffrey Towne Obituary (2018) - Iowa City, IA - the Iowa City Press-Citizen| website = Legacy.com}}</ref>

== Reception == Reception at the time of release is reported to have been mixed.<ref name="Ulstad 1997" /> A review of the DVD version for ''Horror Society'', however, stated that the film was not a typical Troma production but added, "Fans of unusual cinema and strange documentaries need to check this one out. "<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-22 |title=Tromatic Thursday – Jefftowne (Review) |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2018/03/22/tromatic-thursday-jefftowne-review/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb title|id=0220585}}

Category:1997 films Category:Documentary films about Down syndrome in the United States Category:Troma Entertainment films Category:1997 documentary films Category:1997 American films