Festival Program

Intersecting Identities: The Second Annual Disability Film Festival

A Film Festival at the University of Oregon and the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts (DIVA)

Admission is free

Campus and community members welcome

Coordinated by the UO Disability Studies Committee

Thursday, April 27
6:30-9:30 p.m., 100 Willamette Hall, UO campus

Living the Life you Have a Right to

Films:

“Little Man: From Nightmare to Miracle, and Back Again” (2005)
Directors: Nicole Conn
112 min., captioned, Documentary, USA

A micro-preemie brought a family to its knees: Lesbian couple filmmaker Nicole Conn and political activist Gwen Baba learned how science and medicine “can” keep a fetus alive. But at what price?

“39 Pounds of Love”
Directors: Dani Menken
70 min., captioned, documentary, Israeli

Ami Ankilewitz has a rare form of muscular dystrophy. The 3D animator’s bodily motion is limited to a single finger on his left hand. He outlives a doctor's prediction of life expectancy by over 28 years.

Discussants:

UO Film Studies graduate students Raphael Raphael and Carter Soles will introduce their research and interest around representation in film then lead an audience-engaging discussion entitled "Decoding the Extraordinary Body in Cinema."

Friday, April 28
6:30-9:30 p.m., 100 Willamette Hall, UO campus

Arts and Culture Leap Out of the Box

Film:

“Touch the Sound: A Sound Journey with Evelyn Glennie”
Director: Thomas Riedelsheimer
99 min., captioned, documentary, German

The story of Evelyn Glennie, virtuoso percussionist, who only happens to be deaf. Glennie says hearing isn’t in the ears, it’s under your skin.

Discussant:

Journalist and author Brett Campbell has interviewed & followed Evelyn Glennie in her teaching and performing roles. Mr. Campbell is a former UO Journalism Professor and a contributing writer to the Eugene Weekly, Wall Street Journal and former editor of the Oregon Quarterly and Texas Observer. Mr. Campbell will begin with a summary of his experiences with and impressions of Evelyn Glennie and then follow with a moderated discussion with the audience. Read the Evelyn Glennie Disability Essay. and the Evelyn Glennie Hearing Essay.

Film:

“JazzArtSigns: See, Hear, & Feel the Music”
Director: Lisa Thorson
12 min., promotional, USA

Jazz vocalist Lisa Thorson, leads multimedia, multisensory interactive jazz performance that makes jazz accessible to all. Promotional mini-film captures Thorson’s work

Saturday, April 29
6:30-9:30 p.m., DIVA 110 West Broadway

No More Pity: Go Where the Obstacles Are

Films:

“Murderball” (2005)
Producers: Jeffrey Mandel, Dana Adam Shapiro
Note: Rated R for some language and sexual content
86 min., captioned, documentary, USA

Quadriplegic rugby players smash every stereotype. Sundance Film Festival winner, controversial film about standing up, even after your spirit—or spine—has been crushed.

“The Kids Are All Right”
Director: Kerry Richardson
30 min., captioned, documentary, USA

Jerry’s Orphans challenge the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) telethon’s representation of people with disabilities.

“Speed Racer: Welcome to the World of Vic Chesnutt” (1993)
Director: Peter Sillen

Roots-rock singer and songwriter Vic Chesnutt is a paraplegic who was injured in a car accident when he was 18. Artists such as Madonna, Hootie & the Blowfish, Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M. have covered the songs of Chesnutt.