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The film team answers questions about "Rise and Dream."

K.C. 'Rise and Dream' screenings raise awareness

July 2, 2012

An estimated 660 people came to watch CFCA's feature-length documentary film, "Rise and Dream," on June 30 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo.

Because of high ticket demand, there were two screenings of the film, which follows the story of 13 teenagers living with the challenges of poverty in a volatile region of the Philippines.

"It was an honor to share this film with the audience and introduce them to these teens, their families and a very special community," said Judy-Anne Goldman, who directed the film and serves as CFCA's multimedia manager. "Our purpose always was, from the beginning of CFCA, to connect people. We're continuing to do that through the medium of film."

The teens volunteer to learn the music traditions of their culture for a once-in-a-lifetime concert in front of 10,000 people from marginalized communities.

The 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. screenings began with an introduction by Paul Pearce, CFCA’s director of global strategy and the film’s executive producer.

Following Pearce’s welcome, Barclay Martin and other members of the Barclay Martin Ensemble performed two songs that are featured in the documentary.

Martin, a singer/songwriter from Kansas City, Mo., traveled to the Philippines as guest music director for the concert documented in the film and served as the composer for the film score.

"It was very moving, very inspirational," said Thaylia Smith, one of the people who came to the 7 p.m. screening. "It really shows, despite all the horrible things going on in the world, there's still some hope."

CFCA movie night kits, "Rise and Dream" DVDs and music
CDs were available for purchase after the screenings.

Smith bought a DVD of the film and said she would share it with her friends. She said she could identify with one of the teens in the film, Ainee, who said that music is in the Filipino people's bloodstream.

"It's a testament to the power of music," Smith said.

After the screenings, the film team invited the audience to ask questions and learn more about the film. The Kansas City Filipino Cultural Center's Sinag-Tala Performing Arts Troupe and the Sampaguita Choir also performed for the crowd.

In the museum's Bloch lobby, people could write their dreams on slips of paper and share them on a stand-up board. They could also sign up to sponsor someone through CFCA and purchase movie night kits, film DVDs and music CDs. (These are also available to purchase on the "Rise and Dream" website.)

"Rise and Dream" will be showing on the big screen again in October where it will be part of the Kansas International Film Festival. The film also was invited to play in October at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

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