Chapman Filmmakers Raise Community Voices

By Matt Coker Thu., May 12 2011 at 7:34 AM

Six documentaries screening tonight at Marion Knott Studios in Orange not only display the talents of student filmmakers enrolled in Chapman University's Dodge College but some Orange County causes that also warrant your attention.

The 7 p.m. event, which benefits local charities, is free.
The films are:

Joyce -- A look at the challenges of aging through the eyes of a woman who has replaced her family's daily attention with her own strong faith.

Among Giants -- An examination of the extreme practices of California environmentalists, and the experience of one man who lives his life in a tree.

Enrolled -- A bio-doc on Rose, a young Native American woman trapped between two worlds: her home on the reservation and far away at college, where she is finding success.

Hold My Hand -- A visit with Eliza, who has lived her life with Down's Syndrome. Her upbringing is questioned.

A Salton Soul -- An intimate portrait of June, who is almost as old as the Salton Sea. As she nears the end of her life, the sea begins to dry up, mirroring the natural cycle of birth, death, and change.

Modern Man -- A celebration of Fernando, a young male dancer at the local Wooden Floor dance troupe. He comes to terms with the inherent losses and joys that come with entering adulthood.

"The Community Voices program offers our students the opportunity to explore this magic while simultaneously being of direct and impactful service to the causes they care about right here at home, in Orange County," explains assistant professor Sally Rubin. "As part of their film school experience they have the chance to experience themselves as leaders and change makers in their communities; an opportunity very rare indeed."

The screenings in Folino Theater will be followed by refreshments and Q&A sessions with the student filmmakers. No RSVP is necessary.

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Adelaide La Blanche-Dupont

Loved the opening speech the woman in the green made about the impactfulness of the films at the start.

Some of the films were very expanding, for example Among Giants. Some great techniques were used to show the decimating of the wildwoods and the redwoods. Three years up a tree! And the tarpaulin covered with writing.

Enrolled was probably the one which grabbed me a lot. It was great showing Rose in nature and on the bus, among many other scenes. As well as the learning in San P reservation and California State University. "I take things from home so I feel less lonely", Rose had said.

Fernardo in A modern man was very moving when he talked about his anger and letting go of it through dance, and the loss of his father. His Mum was also a real pusher so that he could fully realise his talents and potential.

Salton Soul was a quietly achieving documentary as was Joyce. Joyce was very much about an individual and her community, and Salton Soul: wow! Learning lots about the lake and its resorts!

And on reflection I am glad Chapman University saved Hold my hand for last, so it would be first on the mind of the panel, I imagine! Some wonderful scenes in Ashland. We see Eliza valued in her community and among her family. She continues her ceramic explorations and talks about her future. The Flip camera is often very effectively used, as are some home video archives which put you into the 1990s. She uses words like "enunciate" and "aggravate".

Try to pick up the Community Engagement files if you can; that way you will be able to promote the social change and justice involved.