Fate of a Salesman
Willie Carswell is fighting to keep his store alive. In its 60th year of business on H street, Men’s Fashion Center now faces its toughest challenge: survival. A sinking economy and a gentrifying neighborhood may spell the end of this once iconic storefront in Washington, DC. This work-in-progress documentary is planned for release in late 2012.
73 Cents
Regina Holliday was a wife, mother, painter, art teacher and clerk at a local toy shop in Washington, DC. But when her beloved husband Fred was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer, she added one more title: patient advocate. Five days after Fred’s death, Regina picked up her paint brushes and began creating a 50 foot public mural detailing Fred’s health care nightmare. It was titled “73 Cents” for the price per page to obtain Fred’s medical record. It was a symbol for the injustices they faced and cost to patients who lack access to their own medical records, for which Regina believes Fred paid the ultimate price. 73 Cents the movie is an 11 minute documentary that tells the story of one woman’s grief, her ability to turn tragedy into change, and her transformation into an influential advocate for patient rights.
73 Cents has just been released and is now screening publicly. Visit the
film website for details.
Keeping the Kibbutz
Chronicling the changing kibbutz through the eyes of some of its most devoted members, Keeping the Kibbutz examines the challenges faced by a community in transition. While some members faced heartbreak, others found new opportunities, and the kibbutz marched toward an inevitable end. A story about nostalgia, the effects of communal living and the hope for what lies ahead, Keeping the Kibbutz captures the lingering ghost of a movement left behind.
Keeping the Kibbutz was broadcast on over 70 PBS stations in the fall of 2011 and screened publicly across the US and Europe at museums, community centers, film festivals, independent theaters and synagogues. It is now available for rent on Amazon and YouTube. Visit the
film website to learn more, purchase a DVD or watch the film online.
Barberin’
Step inside the doors of Edges Barbershop on 14th and U streets in northwest Washington, DC, where barbers Donnie, Vincent and George chat with their customers about everything from women to politics. They met and learned their craft in prison, but now barberin’ is their new, positive, way of hustling. This 7 minute short was screened at the 2007 DC Shorts Film Festival and 2008 Our City Film Festival.
