LOUD & CLEAR: Voices from the Disability Community
Film and Lecture Series
This series presents fresh and unique stories about people living with disabilities. All screenings start at 7 p.m. at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts - Dumke Auditorium at 410 Campus Center Drive Salt Lake City, UT. Free, accessible parking is located near the Auditorium. Each film will be followed by a post-screening discussion.
All films will be captioned, have audio commentary, sign language interpreters and live captioning will be available for the post-film discussion. We have a limited number of assistive listening devices. If you happen to have a tan Comtek receiver that you use at an LDS chapel, please bring it with you because it is compatible with the system at the museum. To make arrangements, please contact Ashley Campbell at (801) 363-1347 (Voice/TDD) acampbell@disabilitylawcenter.orgwith a minimum of 3 days notice..
December 16
So Much So Fast
Directed by Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan
7 p.m.
Free
What would you do if you were 29 and found you may only have a few years to live? So Much So Fast is about the remarkable events set in motion when Stephen Heywood discovered he had the paralyzing neural disorder ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
Made over 5 years, So Much So Fast tracks one family's ferocious response to an orphan disease: the kind of disease drug companies ignore because not there's not enough profit in curing it. In reaction, and with no medical background, Stephen's brother Jamie creates a research group and in two years builds it from three people in a basement to a multi-million dollar ALS mouse facility. Finding a drug in time becomes Jamie's all-consuming obsession.
The screening will be followed by a post-film discussion and Q&A with Christian Dimaano, scientist with Myriad Pharmaceuticals, who will discuss the difficulties in research from a science viewpoint and Alan Alderman, the Awareness and Public Policy Chair for ALS Association of Utah who has been living with ALS for the past 8 years.
ABOUT CHRISTIAN DIMAANO
Christian Dimaano, a scientist in the cancer biology division of Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Christian completed an undergraduate degree in biology at the University of San Francisco, a masters degree in immunology at the California State University, and a Ph.D. in cancer biology at the University of Utah. Christian is currently a scientist in the cancer biology division of Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotech/bio-pharmaceutical company located in Salt Lake City, Utah. At Myriad, Christian leads a group of researchers focused on the identification and validation of novel cancer drug targets.
ABOUT ALAN ALDERMAN
Alan Alderman is a 48-year-old husband and father of 3, from South Jordan, Utah. Diagnosed with ALS in September of 2001, at the age of 40. Awareness and Public Policy Chair for ALS Association of Utah (A partner with the National ALS Association) and Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) ALS Division Goodwill Ambassador for Utah. Since his diagnosis, has raised more than $500,000 for ALS research and treatments. Has organized awareness and advocacy campaigns throughout Utah, including grassroots letter writing campaigns. Has traveled to Washington, DC 4 times over the past 4 years to lobby Utah's Congressmen about ALS related issues. These lobbying efforts have led to increased government funding for ALS research, the creation of a National ALS Registry, and implementation of ALS as a Service Related Disability for veterans of our military.
Audience Award -Independent Film Festival of Boston, Best of Festival -Woods Hole Film Festival
PRIOR FILMS IN THE SERIES:
November 19
BODY AND SOUL: Diana and Kathy
With Special Guests: Alice Elliot and Kathy Braun
7 p.m.
Free
BODY & SOUL: Diana & Kathy is a documentary about two disability rights activists, Diana Braun and Kathy Conour. Diana, who has Down syndrome, and Kathy, who has cerebral palsy, met at a sheltered workshop in Illinois three decades ago and vowed to fight to live independent lives.
Fearful of being shut away in a nursing home or forced into a state run institution, they broke the rules and escaped the system. Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy chronicles their ongoing struggle to live independently outside of institutions, Diana’s desperate search to reconnect with her abusive mother, and the law- breaking journey they take to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. BODY & SOUL: Diana & Kathy is a story of a profound, creative friendship and about making a difference.
The post-screening discussion will feature Alice Elliott, director of the film and Diana Braun, one of the stars of documentary who will answer questions about the film and talk about the rights of people with disabilities to live independent lives.
Best of Festival Award -2008 Superfest XXVIII, Crystal Heart Award -2007 Heartland Film Festival, Best Documentary -2009 Talking Pictures Film Festival
October 21
BLINDSIGHT
With Special Guest, Jeff Evans
Directed by Lucy Walker
7 p.m.
Free
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas, Blindsight follows the gripping adventure of six Tibetan teenagers who set out to climb the 23,000 foot Lhakpa Ri on the north side of Mount Everest. A dangerous journey soon becomes a seemingly impossible challenge made all the more remarkable by the fact that the teenagers are blind.
Click here to donate to Sabriye Tenberken, the school and Braille without Borders.
After the screening, audience members had the opportunity to discuss the issues raised in Blindsight with Jeff Evans, an expedition guide and one of the film's stars.
Audience Choice Award 2006 AFI Los Angeles Film Festival, Audience Award 2007 Berlin Film Festival
September 23
INCLUDING SAMUEL
Directed by Dan Habib
Before his son Samuel was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, photojournalist Dan Habib rarely thought about the inclusion of people with disabilities. Now he thinks about inclusion every day.
Shot and produced over four years, Habib's award-winning documentary film, Including Samuel, chronicles the Habib family's efforts to include Samuel in every facet of their lives. The film honestly portrays his family's hopes and struggles as well as the experiences of four other individuals with disabilities and their families. Including Samuel is a highly personal, passionately photographed film that captures the cultural and systemic barriers to inclusion.
Excellence Award - 2008 Superfest International Film Festival, Official Selection -2008 Sprout Film Festival Metropolitan Museum of Art, Official Selection 2008 Boston International Film Festival, Official Selection Moscow International Disability Film Festival
Presented by:
Additional support from: Art Access/VSA Arts of Utah, Cannon and Match, Citris Grill, Citicourt, Foothill Cultural District, Interwest Interpreting, Moulding Box, Salt Lake City Mayor's Office of Diversity & Human Rights, Salt Lake County Mayor's Office for Diversity Affairs, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, Utah Statewide Independent Living Council, Utah Museum of Fine Arts