Humming yet? Northern and the Olympia Film Society are hosting a screening of Deborah Stratman's 2009 documentary, O'er the Land, which is ostensibly about a whole host of big-picture issues - freedom, technology and manifest destiny. The screening is Tuesday, Feb. 8, kicking off at 8 p.m. at Northern.

But the centerpiece of the film is the fascinating journey of Col. William Rankin, who in 1959 was flying a fighter jet on the East Coast when his engine stalled, forcing him to eject from the plane at 47,000 feet during a thunderstorm. He was tossed around in the air for 45 minutes but finally landed - still able to walk to get help. Interesting whatever the metaphysical significance

Stratman will answer questions after the Tuesday screening and will also speak and show other films Wednesday at The Evergreen State College.

O'er the Land with Q&A by filmmaker Deborah Stratman

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m., free
Northern, 321 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia

Lecture/screenings with Deborah Stratman

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 12:15-1:30 p.m., free
The Evergreen State College Lecture Hall 1,
2700 Evergreen Pkwy. N.W., Olympia
http://blogs.evergreen.edu/oshas/schedule-winter-2011/