WATERVILLE -- A distinctive landscape and people, full of beauty, grit and intrigue.

That's the picture of Maine that emerges from the mind of author John Connolly and the documentary film based on his writings. The film, "John Connolly -- Of Blood and Lost Things," will have its U.S. premiere at the Maine International Film Festival on Friday at 6:45 p.m. at Railroad Square Cinema.

The 52-minute Connolly film is among seven at this year's film festival that have connections to Maine and, in different ways, explore the state's people and places.

For the Irish-born Connolly, the documentary was partly an act of rediscovering Maine and its impact on his writing. The Irish film crew arrived in Maine in the dead of winter, he said.

"I think they were quite taken aback by this; we simply don't get snow like that," Connolly said. "To people from outside, it's quite an extraordinary landscape."

Connolly was born in Dublin, and said he first came Maine in 1991, in Scarborough, and "fell in love with the place." Last year, he bought a home in Portland. He now splits his time between Maine and Ireland.

Maine has been the setting for most of Connolly's 12 books; his first, 1999's "Every Dead Thing," introduced his signature character -- private investigator Charlie Parker, a former policeman who hails from upstate New York and has family in Maine.

Connolly knew he wanted his books to be set in the United States and Maine provided the perfect setting where his protagonist could "have a fondness for a place I had a fondness for." Maine is "a source of solace to him; a place he associates with good memories," Connolly said.

"I like to use cycles of nature in the books and they're so distinctive here -- there's such a contrast," Connolly said. "There's also a streak in Maine people -- I'll use a polite word, eccentricity -- that Irish people have as well. People are also incredibly friendly and welcoming."

There are other similarities between Maine and Ireland -- the contrasts between urban life on the coast and rural areas inland -- though there's much about Maine that is unique and, therefore, captivating for Connolly.

"People are much more self-sufficient here; maybe it's because it's always been such a hardscrabble place to farm and work, and people are a little more isolationist," he said.

For each of his books, which span all across Maine, Connolly said he has devoted a lot of time and energy into researching the histories of towns and areas, relying heavily on the Maine Historical Society and local historical groups.

"Of Blood and Lost Things," directed by Maurice Sweeney, aims to capture Connolly's vision of Maine, by showing images of winter in Maine combined with excerpts from his crime novels.

Connolly thinks the film, which has been shown in Ireland, has appeal to everyone. "It allows me to explain where I'm coming from, which, as a writer you don't often get the opportunity to do that, especially on television. This documentary shows how a writer can pick up on a landscape and use it to power books," Connolly said. "And it gives a sense of a place; a really good sense of Maine."

Connolly said he and his family, who will attend the documentary's screening, plan to go out after the film and "we're quite looking forward to spending an evening in Waterville."

Scott Monroe -- 861-9253

smonroe@centralmaine.com

Maine-related films at the Maine International Film Festival

"The Rivals" -- World premiere of Maine-based story, writer, director, producer (July 10, 11)

"Infestation" -- Maine-based filmmaker, Kyle Rankin; also includes bug tour of L.C. Bates Museum at Good Will-Hinckley (July 11, 16)

"Carousel" -- Parts of the film were shot in Boothbay and Camden (July 11)

"Of Blood and Lost Things" -- U.S. premiere of documentary on award-winning crime novelist John Connolly, who sets his stories in Maine (July 10)

"The Kings" -- World premiere of movie filmed in Waterville (July 18)

"Neighbor by Neighbor" -- Documents development and community organizing in Lewiston (July 16, 17)

"Maine Shorts" -- Includes new Maine-made short films "Life by Lobster," "Once More to the Cabin," "Road to Katahdin," and "Music of the Sugarbush" (July 13, 14)

For complete film listings, times and locations, go to www.miff.org