STEAL A PENCIL FOR ME:

“This was such an uplifting and touching story of a love that was truly meant to be. Despite the horror they endured and not knowing if they would stay alive long enough have a future together, they found each other again. The love and affection that they have for each other, even after 60+ years of marriage, renews my faith in love.”
Posted by: Abby Borgman on May 28, 2009

“What a beautiful love story in the midst of so much sadness. The mother of a friend of mine survived a concentration camp and was one of the sweetest, gracious ladies I knew growing up. I was too young at the time to realize what she must have gone through to survive and still have such a positive outlook on life everyday. Thank you for a very moving and uplifting story.”
Posted by: Cathy Sweeney on May 27, 2009

“Very, very moving! Loved Ina and Jack. This film gave a very different and more personal prospective of the Holocaust.”
Posted by: Michele Merrill on May 27, 2009

View more Talkback and submit your own for STEAL A PENCIL FOR ME >>

STRANDED:
The Andes Plane Crash Survivors

“After the avalanche, when they were describing what each one felt as if they were slipping into death; the courage and strength it must have took to fight their way back. I was in awe!”
Posted by: Marla on May 22, 2009

“Despite the tragedy, overall the film was positive, giving light to smart choices made to survive and faith in each other and God. I remember hearing about this story as a kid; I’m glad this film was made to counteract the negative aspects focused on by the media way back when.”
Posted by: Kat on May 21, 2009

“This is a tremendous human story, told reverently. I don’t think I can ever forget the courage and unity the survivors showed in the face of crushing despair and physical trial.”
Posted by: Anela on May 21, 2009

View more Talkback and submit your own for STRANDED >>

CRIPS AND BLOODS:
Made in America

“As the documentary illustrates, building more prisons will not help. The ‘war on crime’ does not help. We have to take responsibility as a country and reach out to our poor communities and strengthen their school systems and economies. Most of all, we need to reach out to them with compassion and understanding.”
Posted by: Joe on May 18, 2009

“This was an amazing, very well done documentary. It made me weep for the suffering of these young innocent boys go through and the pain their parents have to endure.”
Posted by: Celeste on May 15, 2009

“My wife and I watched this last night and were riveted to our seats. This film answered (an raised) several questions for us (a couple of latter-period baby-boomers). We’re insisting that our sons watch this film too, so we can all talk about it, and the similar manifestations of the social malaise we see in the community around us–and what we ought to be doing about it…”
Posted by: Nate on May 14, 2009

View more Talkback and submit your own for CRIPS AND BLOODS >>

“CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America, a documentary feature airing tonight on the PBS series Independent Lens, begins with the arresting picture––not a picture of an arrest, although those come soon enough––of downtown Los Angeles hanging upside down in the sky,” Los Angeles Times.

Check out the trailer below:

CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America airs tonight at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS (check local listings)

“African-American students protesting a segregated bowling alley on Feb. 8, 1968, in Orangeburg, S.C. would be fired on by police, leaving more than 27 students wounded and three dead. Many Americans don’t recall the incident, but a powerful documentary called SCARRED JUSTICE: The Orangeburg Massacre 1968 recounts this little known piece of history…”
Read full review >>

“Before the curtain comes down on this daunting documentary, expect to well up while watching emotional tableaus of grieving mothers burying their babies at funerals and simply staring blankly into the camera with tears streaming down their pained faces.”
Read full review >>

Dr. Wilmer Leon discusses CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America on Independent Lens with Director Stacy Peralta and ex-Slauson gang member Kumasi.
Listen to the interview >>

Following the broadcast, be sure to watch the Tavis Smiley Show with CRIPS AND BLOODS Producer Baron Davis, Director Stacy Peralta and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Learn more about the film as well as the latest efforts to stop gang violence in Los Angeles and around the country.

Get a preview of next week’s Tavis Smiley Show and watch the special excerpt below:

“WINGS OF DEFEAT combines interview footage and visits to Japanese war museums with rarely screened propaganda movies and posters as well as original animation.”
Read more >>

“CRIPS AND BLOODS provides an in-depth historical exploration of gang violence, with plenty of smart sociology on the side. The eye-opening film, directed by Stacy Peralta and narrated by Forest Whitaker, premieres Tuesday, May 12, as part of PBS’ Independent Lens.”
Read more >>

Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai of the Independent Lens film TAKING ROOT discusses her time in the U.S. during the civil rights era, the negative media attention on Africa and challenges for the African citizenry.
Watch the full report >>

Isha Sesay sits down with Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai to discuss TAKING ROOT on Independent Lens and her life’s work. Watch the clip below:

Independent Lens

Find out what the film means to Davis, how he focused on his professional basketball career and why he chose to bring his film to public television.

CRIPS AND BLOODS will air on Independent Lens on May 12 at 10:00 PM (check local listings).

Watch the exclusive interview below:

CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America

Following the film, Cliff Akiyama, a former deputy sheriff and currently a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing, led a panel discussion. Akiyama opened the Q&A with an impassioned plea to the audience––to look at the issue of gang violence with “open hearts and minds” and consider multiple approaches to a solution, beyond just law enforcement.

Other panelists included Darryl Coates, executive director of the Philadelphia Anti-Drug Anti-Violence Network; Everett Gillison, deputy mayor of public safety; Dorothy Johnson-Speight, executive director of Mothers In Charge; and Jack Stollsteimer, Pennsylvania Safe Schools advocate and former federal prosecutor of drug gangs in Philadelphia.

Each of the panelists discussed the impact of violence in Philadelphia and in their personal lives. They stressed the importance the film played for being a tool to bridge a serious conversation about prevention and alternatives.

Questions came from teachers, who had been assaulted by students and wanted practical information about how to identify gang signs and symbols, and youth involved in community service on school grounds, probing suggestions about more ways to fully engage others.

Statistics were presented about the number of gangs in the United States, the number of weapons that enter Philadelphia’s public schools on a daily basis and the fact that the issue of gangs exists in many ethnic groups and a far-reaching problem. One parent became emotional when sharing her frustration about the personal challenges she faces when sending her children to school every day.

There was much more to discuss after the formal program ended, and many lingered afterward to talk with panelists and each other about resources and information. The turnout and level of seriousness during the Q&A showed the widespread concern and the number of people interested in getting involved to address this problem.

The film was certainly a powerful catalyst for bringing the Philadelphia community together around a common and heartfelt concern.

Want to find upcoming screenings in your area? Community Cinema selections are screened in more than 50 locations throughout the United States. Check out the schedule and find Community Cinema in your neighborhood >>

Check out clips from the event below:

Afterwards, Val Zavala, anchor and reporter of SoCal Connected, led a panel discussion with filmmaker Stacy Peralta, Deputy Mayor of Gang Reduction and Youth Development Rev. Jeff Carr and community organizer Skipp Townsend. This event was broadcast live on Beyond the Box Blog where visitors asked questions to the panelists via live chat and Twitter in addition to questions fielded from the audience.

Missed the live video feed from Los Angeles? Check out the recording from the event below:

Community Cinema selections are screened in over 50 locations throughout the United States. Check out the schedule and find Community Cinema in your neighborhood >>

Filmmaker Stacy Peralta discusses his film CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America, airing on Independent Lens.
Read more >>

“Kamikaze translates as ‘divine wind,’ and was a made-up word meant to conjure mythic status. The stories are sad, the war propaganda outrageous, and the message emphatically anti-war.”
Read more >>

“Like reading a book, [Community Cinema] films expand your mind so you want to learn more. There’s a chance to share with others and hear different perspectives. It’s like belonging to a book club, but it’s a movie club.”
Read more >>

An audio interview with Justine Nagan and Gordon Quinn of Kartemquin Films about their Independent Lens film MILKING THE RHINO.
Listen to the interview >>

Join the live webcast discussion of the upcoming Community Cinema screening of CRIPS AND BLOODS on the ITVS Blog at 8:15 PM PDT (11:15 PM EDT), Tuesday, April 14. More details below.

Community Cinema selections are screened in over 50 locations throughout the United States. This month, Community Cinema presents CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America, a film that examines two of the most notorious and violent street gangs in America. Read some of the highlights from this month’s screenings and learn more about the live webcast discussion.

St. Louis, IL

A large and diverse audience of 425 gathered at the Missouri History Museum to view and discuss CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America. A common theme that ran through the discussion was “communities need to come together to fight this problem.” The discussion turned to local programs that exist to take kids off the streets and get them involved in useful projects or into athletic programs, often run by volunteer police. The audience discussed the need to focus on educating young people to help them make informed choices.

One audience member noted, “We need a holistic approach to gangs. Bring many agencies and individuals together in a community to learn to care for these kids. We need to do this despite funding so the programs don’t go away when the money dries up. We need to reach out as a community to stop this problem. When a group of people feel they don’t matter (second class citizens) gangs grow. We need to reach across economic and racial lines and come together to solve this problem. Have honest conversations like the one tonight. Then we will slow the growth of gangs.”

The discussion concluded with a former gang member sharing his experiences raising his children and developing a program aimed at helping young people empower themselves with skills and values to avoid gang life.

Grand Rapids, MI

With the largest audience of the year, CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America screened at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts to a full house. After the screening, panelists Jim Houston, criminal justice professor at Grand Valley State University (GVSU); Oliver Wilson, former dean of the Office of Multicultural Affairs; and Derrick Philips, a GVSU student and former gangster disciple from Chicago talked with the audience about gang-related topics, including personal experiences and the long-term sociological effects gang culture has on communities. Many audience members responded by voicing their desires to volunteer and mentor young people faced with gang violence.

Saratoga Springs, NY

Community members at the Saratoga Springs Public Library acknowledged the long-standing racism, economic hardship and blame cast upon gang members after viewing the film. Audience members discussed the filmmaker’s skill in showing the raw facts behind gangs in the United States and appreciated the idea of “treating gang members like criminals and committing them to prison merely makes them the scapegoat and doesn’t get to the heart of the problem.” Panelist Ron Barrett, gang prevention coordinator for the Capital Region of New York, explained that drugs are connected to gangs because they are the only feasible source of income and how gang life is sensationalized in popular media.

Interested in taking part of the discussion? Join us live on the ITVS Blog at 8:15 PM PDT (11:15 PM EDT), Tuesday, April 14. Find out more information about the live discussion >>

Check out the schedule and find Community Cinema in your neighborhood >>