In a remarkable example of faculty, staff and student collaboration, the creators of the documentary “A Measure of Our Humanity” and two students representing the Periclean Scholars Class of 2006 flew to Hollywood, Calif. to present their film at the second annual Artivist Film Festival April 21-24. The Elon contingent included (left to right) Katrina Taylor, Tom Arcaro, Danielle Buonocore, Jay McMerty and Amanda Taylor.
Focusing on human rights, children’s advocacy, animal advocacy and environmental preservation, filmmakers and activists from all over the world gathered at the prestigious Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. This year, 70 films were showcased representing 26 different countries.
The quality and celebrity status of the films were as diverse as their filmmakers. Meryl Streep, Joaquin Phoenix, and Oprah Winfrey, who served as narrators for three of the documentaries, were some of the A-listers involved.
Tom Arcaro, Elon professor of sociology, director of Project Pericles, and executive producer of “A Measure of Our Humanity,” as well as three other documentaries and two CDs relating to the issue of AIDS and Namibia, was very excited to advocate the film and cause in Los Angeles.
The director of “A Measure of Our Humanity,” Elon alumna Katrina Taylor, was honored to share in the experience. “The Artivist film festival created a great opportunity for our message. It was truly inspirational to be surrounded by such talented and conscious filmmakers.” Producer Jay McMerty and Periclean Scholar representatives Danielle Buonocore and Amanda Taylor were overjoyed to be included in what they called “the best field trip ever.”
With no previous experience at film festivals, the students got a hands-on crash course in how to promote a film as well as their first total immersion into the world of social and political documentaries.
Taylor said, “It was sometimes difficult to watch movie after movie about all these serious and vital issues, but I found many of the pieces to be so phenomenal and truly inspiring, not just to me but everyone there. It is amazing how one film can affect its audience.”
“A Measure of Our Humanity” is a full-length feature in a series of four documentaries which explore the complex issues surrounding HIV and AIDS in Namibia, a young nation located in southern Africa. Gender, stigma, poverty, education and justice are identified as key issues related to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The film is designed to be an educational tool, and many steps have been taken by the Periclean Scholars Class of 2006 to ensure that the documentaries are available to middle schools and high schools, as well as colleges and universities across the country.
The weekend ended with a bang on Sunday night at the Artivist awards ceremony, which was hosted by actress Linda Blair.