A Two Hearted Tale: Free Film Screening in Pueblo Explores Art, Fly Fishing, and the Heart of Craft Beer Culture

Blo Back Gallery & Art in Blocks Studio & Galleria invites the Pueblo community to a special free screening of A Two Hearted Tale on Wednesday, June 18 at 7 PM—a short documentary that’s equal parts heart, craft, and creative spirit. On the surface, it’s a film about the label on one of the most beloved beers in America—Bell’s Two Hearted Ale—but step in closer and it quickly becomes something deeper: a gentle meditation on art, friendship, legacy, and the stories behind everyday things that connect us all.

Directed by Rory K. McHarg and Bret Miller, A Two Hearted Tale follows the life and work of Ladislav Hanka, the artist behind the iconic trout that adorns Bell’s label. What begins as a look at the design behind a craft beer soon blossoms into a quiet and humorous portrait of the artist himself, the Bell’s Brewery community, and the long, winding path that leads us back to the simple things. The film resists drama in favor of something more authentic: it’s honest, playful, and remarkably moving without ever trying too hard. You’ll leave the gallery with a sense that life is always just a little more magical when you pay attention to the details.

For co-directors McHarg and Miller, the idea began over beers—naturally—and a shared appreciation for the strange beauty of design. Their question was simple: why the trout? Why this image? And why has it come to mean so much to so many? Ladislav Hanka—whose etchings draw upon fish, toads, and trees as meditations on life, death, and transformation—infused his deep reverence for nature into the artwork that would ultimately become the label for Bell’s Two Hearted Ale. His work is not only a reflection of the natural world, but an act of grace: a reaching beyond the self to recognize the intrinsic value of other living beings, even collaborating with honey bees who add their own waxen artistry to his prints in a rare act of interspecies creation.

But more than that, they found an entire world that exists at the intersection of art, nature, and storytelling. The documentary that followed is visually striking, filled with warmth and subtle humor, and ultimately a celebration of what happens when we chase meaning in unexpected places.

Opus Salvelinus (Brook Trout) By Ladislav Hanka

Though the film is rooted in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Pueblo might feel closer to it than you’d think. We’re no strangers to fly fishing culture here—Highway 50 out toward Salida is lined with quiet fishing spots where folks wade into the river just to feel something real again. There’s a quietness in the film that mirrors those early mornings on the Arkansas River, and a reverence for wild water and hand-drawn lines that could easily belong to any Colorado artist or angler. Just like Michigan’s wild spaces, Colorado’s backcountry has long inspired art, reflection, and beer.

Speaking of beer—this is Colorado. We don’t just drink craft beer; we treasure it. From tiny mountain-town taprooms to Pueblo’s own microbreweries, the culture here thrives on community and creativity. A Two Hearted Tale taps into that spirit. It's not a commercial—it’s a love letter. A love letter to the handmade, the meaningful, and the people who make the world more interesting through their quirks, their passions, and their stories.

The screening also celebrates Pueblo’s growing presence in the film world. As a proud supporter of the Pueblo Film Festival, Blo Back continues to elevate storytelling through visual media. Events like this bring independent cinema to the heart of our town and give us a chance to gather around something thoughtful, fun, and entirely human. Just as the arts have bloomed here—from downtown galleries to music on the Riverwalk—so too has Pueblo’s voice in filmmaking. A Two Hearted Tale is a welcome reminder of what happens when stories are shared in small rooms, where the light is warm and the audience is listening.

This is more than a movie night. It’s an invitation to slow down, laugh a little, maybe cry a little too—and to remember how much heart there is in handmade things. Whether you’re a fly fisher, a beer lover, a local artist, or just someone who appreciates good stories, this evening is for you.

Join us at Blo Back Gallery on Wednesday, June 18 at 7 PM.

The screening is free and open to all. Q&A to follow!

Because sometimes, the best stories start with a fish—and end with community.