FACES OF CHANGE

Ivan Ivanov, a Bulgarian Roma, or Gypsy, struggled against poverty and racism to become a doctor. But when a patient refused to be treated by a Roma doctor, Ivanov felt compelled to change careers. He returned to school to become a human rights lawyer, fighting prejudice against the Roma in Bulgaria. At the beginning of FACES OF CHANGE, he travels to New York for video camera training that will allow him to record the stories of the Roma people and the conditions in which they live. With Ivan is Kathir Raj, a Dalit or "untouchable" from India; Mohamed Ould Borbosse, an abolitionist from Mauritania; Nara dos Anjos Rodrigues, a teen mother from Brazil; and Elodia Blanco, an environmental justice advocate from Louisiana. The activists return to their communities, armed with cameras, to document examples of racism as it affects them and their neighbors over the course of three years.

The astonishing results are woven together by filmmaker Michele Stephenson, from strikingly similar vistas of broken down homes, dust and threadbare clothing to demonstrations of profound social inequity in each of their countries. The videos are exceptional because they are recorded from within the communities. They capture hopes and dreams that echo each other across the five countries. At the UN World Conference Against Racism and Xenophobia in South Africa, the five activists meet again to learn from others who share their concerns. Through their filmmaking process and collaboration, they generate ideas and gain energy to shape an alternative future.

Agnes Varnum

As a filmmaker and human rights attorney of Haitian and Panamanian descent, Michele Stephenson brings a unique set of experiences to documentary filmmaking. Her commitment to making personal human stories that are too often excluded from mainstream media is evident throughout her work. She has trained human rights activists from all over the world in video production and visual storytelling. Her film credits include THE KEEPER (winner of the 1997 Black Filmmakers' Hall of Fame), PLAY MAS (Best Documentary, Maafa Film Festival 2001) and WITNESS VIDEO FOR CHANGE (Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Media, 2000).

Print Source:
Rada Film Group
254 Adelphi St.
Brooklyn, NY 11205
Tel: 718.222.4041
Email: michele@radafilm.com

Saturday 6/18 at 2:15 p.m.

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