SPRING 2012 FILM SERIES
The "What if..." Film Series was created in March 2010. The series is a free presentation of films about community revitalization efforts around the nation and world. Each film documents the successes and struggles communities have experienced – and their varying methods of revitalizing these neighborhoods, from murals and gardens to community activism.
Each film is followed by a moderated discussion - these free-wheeling conversations may start with specific reactions to the films but often range into dialogue about our city and its neighborhoods - the ideas in the films spark similar possiblities in our own community. The 2011-2012 films have been selected by a group of community residents and will be shown this year at ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Avenue in Syracuse:
Carved from the Heart.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 5:30 - 7:30pm
Thursday, March 15, 2012 7 - 9pm
by Ellen Frankenstein and Louise Brady
http://www.fanlight.com/catalog/films/373_cfth.php
One man loses his son to a cocaine overdose. Grieving, Stan Marsden, a Tsimpsean wood carver decides to create a totem pole in his son s memory and invites the town of Craig, Alaska to help. Before he is done, the pole becomes a communal project, bringing people of diverse backgrounds and ages together. Carved from the Heart intertwines the process of carving and erecting the Healing Heart totem pole with the participants' stories of personal loss, grief, substance abuse, suicide and violence. This powerful film explores questions of death and dying, family relationships and parenting, domestic violence, and the impact of the war in Vietnam on veterans and their families. It also acknowledges the intergenerational grief growing out of the rapid changes in lifestyle, and the interruptions to the passing on of tradition and knowledge within Alaska Native and American Indian communities like Craig. But, most importantly, Carved from the Heart demonstrates the enormous power of mutual support, culture, art, and ceremony in enabling a community to face tragedy, provide support to its members, and find a path to healing.
TRUST: Second Acts in Young Lives
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 5:30 - 7:30pm
Monday, April 16, 2012 7 - 9pm
Nancy Kelly film. http://trustdocumentary.org/
Many who are familiar with Chicago's theater scene, know of the Albany Park Theater Project's (APTP) amazing work with youth. Nancy Kelly's formidable new documentary TRUST allows us an in-depth look at APTP's story-telling process and how their work helps transform the lives of young people. The story of Marlin, originally from Honduras, is one of sexual violence, separation from her mother, and the harsh realities of immigration. TRUST follows her harrowing, personal story that then becomes the basis for an original play. The film captures the respect, support and tenderness that APTP's ensemble members show Marlin and beautifully illustrates the healing power of art and community.
“Trust: Second Acts in Young Lives is one of those brilliant pieces which reminds us what documentary does best: captures small, specific stories which illuminate much broader issues and themes.”
– Rick Ayers, Huffington Post
To learn more about the series contact Heidi Holtz at the Foundation. Most recent press release on the series is here.
The following films have been shown in the Series:
Holding Ground: The Rebirth of Dudley Street
Philadelphia: The Holy Experiment
Excerpts from ABCD in Action, ArtShow2Grow and Chicago: The City of Big Shoulders
Third Ward TX
Young Aspirations/Young Artists
Tocar y Luchar
STAGES
Concrete, Steel and Paint
Brooklyn Matters
Becoming American