The Leeway Foundation announces the second annual “Change in Motion” a screening of foundation-funded media artists including Amanda Whittenberger (LTA ’08), bex* (LTA ’09), Deborah Rudman (ACG ’09), Dina Dashiel (ACG ’09), Mary DeWitt (ACG ’09, WOO ’00), Nora Hiriart Litz (ACG ’09), and Sara Zia Ebrahimi (ACG ’09). This year’s program focuses on films that explore community, immigration, gender roles, gentrification, and social justice.
Admission is free.
THE PROGRAM
Please note that films are listed in alphabetical order by title and not in screening order.
Cusps
dir. Sara Zia Ebrahimi
Experimental Documentary, 14:35 min.
Cusps is a visual journal exploring the role of artists in gentrification by paralleling changes in the city of Philadelphia with the filmmaker’s life.
Meditation on Intelligibility
dir. bex*
Experimental, 3:00 min.
A reflection on bodies and gender – what does it mean for a body to be one way, and look or act another? Is there such a thing as “true” gender, or is gender just a construct? The piece invites the audience to consider these and other questions.
Mental Shape
dir. Amanda Whittenberger
Documentary, 28:00 min.
Mental Shape chronicles the life, career, health, and artistic work of local, Philadelphia Three-Dimensional Sculptor Robinson Fredenthal. Created over the course of one year in partnership with 10 permanent residents of the Inglis House, a West Philadelphia residential center designed for people with mobility impairments, the film and its creators follow Robinson on a journey of exploration and discovery—of his lifelong artistic work and mission and the consequences of his progressive Parkinson's Disease. The documentary is ultimately not about disabilities but the abilities that thrive within Robinson and all of the Inglis House community and the population it represents.
Pardon Me, I’m Rose Dinkins
dir. Mary DeWitt
Documentary, 9:26 min.
Pardon Me, I’m Rose Dinkins is a documentary about Rose Dinkins, who has been serving a life-sentence in Pennsylvania without parole, since 1972. Mary briefly describes her relationship with Rose and discusses what she has accomplished during her three decades in prison. She sings and tells a poignant story about her relationship with her oldest son.
El Viaje (The Journey)
dir. Nora Hiriart Litz
Documentation, 13 min.
El Viaje (The Journey) brings together the emerging Mexican community in South Philadelphia to give them a voice to tell their stories. These women, men and children communicated their similar struggles, sacrifices, triumphs, and realities as immigrants who’ve made the journey to the United States. Through open dialogue, writings, paintings, printmaking, and video, these manifestos capture the many pressing issues relating to assimilation, maintaining identity and culture of origin and the search for opportunity. The shared hopes of El Viaje and its participants is the awareness in Philadelphia of the real struggles of this rising immigrant community as well as to give voice and a space to tell their stories.
When Everybody Goes Home
dir. Dina Dashiel
Documentary, 19:00 min.
This short documentary is about the murders of black males, by other black males, and covers a 30 year span of tears. Voices often unheard have their chance to speak about the loss of sons, and the suffering their particular village continues to endure. The audience will hear from fathers, siblings, teachers, friends, and my personal bloodstains. When Everybody Goes Home is a tribute, while proving we never know how many lives are touched when one murder takes place. It is a dedication piece to three brothers out of many.
Yo! Taxi by Termite TV Collective
dir. Deborah Rudman with Anula Shetty (LTA ’07) and Mike Kuetemeyer
Documentary, 28:40 min.
Seas of taxis block the streets and blast their horns in protest outside the headquarters of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Yo! Taxi is a firsthand account of the real issues, struggles and circumstances on the job from members of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania. What emerges is a portrait of Philadelphia area cab drivers as seen through their own eyes. Taxi workers of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities share stories of their lives allowing the passenger (or viewer) to get behind the driver’s seat and better understand who is at the wheel. Created as part of Termite TV’s Life Stories Project.
Following the screening, filmmakers will be on hand to answer questions about their work and discuss their artistic process in a moderated discussion.
For images, interview requests, or more information please contact Maori Karmael Holmes at (215) 545-4078, extension 14 or email maori@leeway.org.