ReelAbilities Boston Film Festival 2020

MARCH 22—APRIL 2, 2020 FREE ADMISSION www.reelboston.org PRESENTED BY:

MISSION ReelAbilities strives for inclusion of all people and is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities from a variety of communities.

VENUES BOSTON UNIVERSITY Kenmore Classroom, Building 101 565 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02115 617.358.0489

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL O’Keefe Auditorium 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02115 617.726.2000

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY 449 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02138 617.349.4040

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, BOSTON Planetarium 1 Science Park Boston, MA 02114 617.723.2500

COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE 290 Harvard Street Brookline, MA 02446 617.734.2500 THE COTTING SCHOOL 453 Concord Avenue Lexington, MA 02421 781.862.7323 JCC GREATER BOSTON RIEMER-GOLDSTEIN THEATER 333 Nahanton Street Newton, MA 02459 617.558.6522

MOSESIAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS 321 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472 617.923.0100 SHOWCASE CINEMA DE LUX REVERE 565 Squire Road Revere, MA 02151 800.315.4000 WEST NEWTON CINEMA 1296 Washington Street West Newton, MA 02465 617.964.8074

ACCESSIBILITY ReelAbilities Boston is committed to providing a range of accessibility accommodations. All festival venues are accessible to mobility devices.

Screenings and events include captioning, CART or ASL interpretation, and audio description, where possible. Individuals requiring further accommodations should contact us at 617.244.9899 or info@reelboston.org.

For text only version of this brochure go to www.reelboston.org.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE THURSDAY, MARCH 12: SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING 7:00 PM – PICTURE OF HIS LIFE...................... MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, BOSTON (Preview screening info and registration at www.reelboston.org) SUNDAY, MARCH 22: OPENING EVENT

2:00 PM – KUPENDA | ADAM................................ COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE MONDAY, MARCH 23 7:00 PM – THE THINGS YOU THINK I’M THINKING | PRINCE’S TALE | LEFTOVER WEST NEWTON CINEMA TUESDAY, MARCH 24 6:15 PM – CODE OF THE FREAKS ...................... CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 6:30 PM – TO BE OF SERVICE................. SHOWCASE CINEMA DE LUX REVERE THURSDAY, MARCH 26 6:15 PM – BEDLAM .............................. MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL FRIDAY, MARCH 27 4:30 PM – ME, MY MOUTH, AND I | THE UNCONDITIONAL....................BOSTON UNIVERSITY SUNDAY, MARCH 29 7:00 PM – INTERNATIONAL SHORTS........................... WEST NEWTON CINEMA MONDAY, MARCH 30 6:30 PM – HEARTS OF GLASS..........................................THE COTTING SCHOOL TUESDAY, MARCH 31 7:00 PM – ONCE UPON A BOY..........................................JCC GREATER BOSTON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 7:00 PM – CHAMPIONS............................... MOSESIAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS THURSDAY, APRIL 2: CLOSING NIGHT 7:00 PM – THE WITCH HUNTERS ........................ COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE

Admission is free to all screenings.

Please register in advance at www.reelboston.org

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MARCH 22, 2:00 PM COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE

OPENING EVENT: KUPENDA DIRECTOR PHILIP KNOWLTON USA, 70 min, Documentary In English with Open Captions On the coast of Kenya, where deeply held traditional beliefs in curses and witchcraft are widespread, being born with a disability is tantamount to stigma and discrimination. In Kupenda, three tenacious young people living with disabilities set out on an epic journey to climb Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, to prove to the world - and to themselves - that they are as capable as anyone.

Followed by a conversation with Cynthia Bauer and Leonard Mbonani (co-founders of Kupenda), the filmmaker, Philip Knowlton, one of the guides featured in the film, Julia Spruance, as well as two Kenyan youth who hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Preceded by Adam.

Screening followed by a reception at Hamilton Restaurant & Bar, Brookline.

Free admission. Register at www.reelboston.org

ADAM DIRECTOR EMMA ALLEN UK, 2 min, Animation Adam’s head makes the perfect canvas for exploring his grey matter.

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MARCH 23, 7:00 PM WEST NEWTON CINEMA

THE THINGS YOU THINK I’M THINKING

PRINCE’S TALE

DIRECTOR SHERREN LEE Canada, 15 min, Narrative In English with Open Captions

DIRECTOR JAMIE MILLER Canada, 16 min, Documentary In English with Open Captions

A black male burn-survivor and amputee goes on a date with a regularly-abled man. After the bar, they go back to his apartment, where he faces his demons as he attempts to experience intimacy for the first time since his accident.

A profile of Prince Amponsah, a Toronto actor rebuilding his career as a performer after an apartment fire which left his body badly scarred and resulted in the amputation of both of his arms.

Screenings followed by a panel discussion with Actor Prince Amponsah.

Preceded by Leftover.

Free admission. Register at www.reelboston.org

LEFTOVER DIRECTOR MERIÇ DEMIRAY Turkey, 9 min, Narrative In Turkish with Subtitles A young boy leaves home to join a peace rally. On his way, he starts to experience strange things. Images around him slowly turn into a nightmare.

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MARCH 24, 6:15 PM CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

MARCH 25, 6:30 PM SHOWCASE CINEMA DE LUX REVERE

CODE OF THE FREAKS

TO BE OF SERVICE

DIRECTOR SALOME CHASNOFF USA, 70 min, Documentary In English with Open Captions

DIRECTOR JOSH ARONSON USA, 90 min, Documentary In English with Open Captions

A blistering critique of Hollywood representations of disabled characters, Code of the Freaks gives the mic to some of Hollywood’s most incensed and ignored critics – people with actual disabilities. Code of the Freaks is also a reference to the disability community itself, which in spite of a history fractured by institutionalization, isolation and segregation, has emerged to build a political and cultural movement.

War veterans’ experience of returning home is often wrought with depression, post-traumatic stress, and a wrenching disconnect from the world they once inhabited. But through extraordinary personal effort and scholarship programs, thousands of vets are paired with trained service dogs and the outcomes are life-changing.

Pre-screening reception 5:45 pm.

Followed by a panel discussion.

Onsite CART services will be provided.

Free admission.

Register at www.reelboston.org

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Followed by a panel featuring film subject Sylvia Bowersox and her service dog, Timothy.

Free admission.

Register at www.reelboston.org

MARCH 26, 6:15 PM MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL

MARCH 27, 4:30 PM BOSTON UNIVERSITY

BEDLAM

ME, MY MOUTH, AND I

DIRECTOR KENNETH PAUL ROSENBERG USA, 84 min, Documentary In English with Open Captions

DIRECTOR SOPHIE ROBINSON UK, 60 min, Documentary In English with Open Captions

Through intimate stories of patients, families, and medical providers, Bedlam immerses us in the national crisis surrounding mental health.

Set in Los Angeles, the film tracks wrenching individual stories of mentally-ill patients caught on an endless merry-go-round of ineffective care, exposing the anatomy of a broken healthcare mill.

The journey of a performer and activist with Tourette syndrome and her exploration of neurodiversity.

Jess Thom asks novel questions about the portrayal of disability in the arts and the exclusion of people with disabilities as cultural and creative producers.

Followed by a discussion.

Screening with The Unconditional.

Pre-screening reception at 5:45 pm.

Followed by a panel discussion.

Free admission.

Register at www.reelboston.org

DIRECTOR DAVE ADAMS USA, 30 min, Documentary An unflinching look into the lives of two children with undiagnosed developmental disabilities.

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MARCH 29, 7:00 PM WEST NEWTON CINEMA

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS BLOCK All films shown with Open Captions or English Subtitles.

Nine short films from seven countries – two documentaries, one animation, and six narrative films.

Screenings followed by a conversation with Wheels of Justice Director Alice Markowitz, and star Chris Hoeh.

ACT NATURAL (4 min) The internal experience of a young man with Autism Spectrum Disorder as he navigates a conversation.

Free admission.

Register at www.reelboston.org

IMPARFECTO (5 min) A group of people with intellectual disabilites discuss whether to include a non-disabled person in their association.

JON SARKIN: I AM WHAT I AM (3 min) A massive stroke transforms chiropractor Jon Sarkin into a profoundly prolific visual artist.

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JUST, GO! (11 min) Just, who lost both his legs in an accident, chases thieves who stole his crush’s purse.

SHAKESPEARE IN TOKYO (21 min) A man with Down syndrome embarks on a solo adventure to discover Tokyo.

MINOR KEY (11 min) A moving story about a man locked in a Portuguese fado song.

THE LAST STRAW (15 min) A young man with cerebral palsy escapes from a nursing home to search for a home of his own.

PANIC ATTACK! (3 min) This hand-drawn animation explores anxiety, obsession, and one woman’s slippery hold on reality.

WHEELS OF JUSTICE (16 min) Bostonian Chris Hoeh maneuvers the legal system to break down barriers to access and inclusion.

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MARCH 30, 6:30 PM THE COTTING SCHOOL

MARCH 31, 7:00 PM JCC GREATER BOSTON

HEARTS OF GLASS:

ONCE UPON A BOY

A VERTICAL FARM TAKES ROOT IN WYOMING DIRECTOR JENNIFER TENNICAN USA, 70 min, Documentary In English with Open Captions Hearts of Glass follows the tumultuous first 15 months of Vertical Harvest’s operation. This multi-story, state-ofthe-art, hydroponic greenhouse grows crops while providing meaningful, competitively-paid jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Innovation and inclusion create a fertile environment for people and plants to grow.

The Hessing family copes with the day-to-day challenges of life while raising three children, among them Ron, who has cerebral palsy. When the family brings Ron to America for a dangerous surgery, tensions come to the surface. An intimate portrayal of family dynamics and the complexities of raising children with different abilities.

Followed by a discussion with Director Jennifer Tennican.

Followed by a panel discussion.

Free admission.

Register at www.reelboston.org

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DIRECTOR URI LEVI Israel, 65 min, Documentary In Hebrew with English Subtitles

ASL interpretation will be provided.

Free admission.

Register at www.reelboston.org

APRIL 1, 7:00 PM MOSESIAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

APRIL 2, 7:00 PM COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE

CHAMPIONS

CLOSING NIGHT: THE WITCH HUNTERS

DIRECTOR JAVIER FESSER Spain, 120 min, Narrative In Spanish with English Subtitles

DIRECTOR RAŠKO MILJKOVIĆ Serbia/Macedonia, 86 min, Narrative, In Serbian with English Open Captions with Audio Description

In this hilarious and heartfelt Spanish box office hit, a disgraced basketball coach is forced to train Los Amigos - a team of players with intellectual disabilities. What he does not realize is that these Champions of Life are going to surprise him with some transformative life-coaching themselves.

Free admission.

Register at www.reelboston.org

10-year-old Jovan has cerebral palsy. His condition has made him think of himself as invisible to others – particularly his parents and classmates. In the world of his imagination, however, he possesses the hero superpowers that everybody dreams of. Jovan’s (extra)ordinary existence is suddenly shaken by a new classmate, Milica, who invites him on a real life adventure – to liberate her father from his new wife - an alleged witch.

Followed by a discussion with Director Raško Miljković.

Free admission.

Register at www.reelboston.org “In memory of Ilse Rothschild, who improved the lives of children with cerebral palsy.”

Shulamit and Jehuda Reinharz

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MANY THANKS “ The Ruderman Family Foundation is delighted to partner with the ReelAbilities Film Festival to advance inclusion in the film industry and beyond. The films feature stories of people with disabilities, and they are created by people who have disabilities themselves. Thousands of audience members will gain a new appreciation for the value of inclusion.”

—Sharon Shapiro, Trustee, Ruderman Family Foundation

SPONSORS

INDIVIDUAL DONORS Louise Citron Shulamit and Jehuda Reinharz Rosalie and Jim Shane

PRESENTING PARTNERS

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

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Goldie Eder Ruth Nemzoff and Harris Berman

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS Adaptive Sports New England Asperger/Autism Network Aspire Autistic Self-Advocacy Network Boston International Kids Film Festival Boston Latino International Film Festival Boston University Boston University, Arts Initiative Boston Women’s Film Festival Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities Cambridge Public Library City of Boston Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities CJP Committee on Services for People with Disabilities Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Disability Law Center Disability Policy Consortium Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Easterseals Exceptional Lives Federation for Children with Special Needs Gateways: Access to Jewish Education GE People with Disabilities Network GE Veterans Network General Electric Harvard Law School Project on Disability HOMEBASE Veteran & Family Care IMPACT:Ability Institute for Community Inclusion Institute for Human Centered Design International Kids Film Festival JCC Greater Boston Jewish Big Brother & Big Sister Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Jewish Vocational Service Kupenda for the Children Mass Advocates for Children Massachusetts Commision for the Blind Massachusetts General Hospital for Children Massachusetts General Hospital Dept. of Psychiatry Center for Diversity Mosesian Center for the Arts Museum of Science, Boston My Ombudsman NAMI Greater Boston Consumer Advocacy Network National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Cambridge/Middlesex NEADS World Class Service Dogs Northeast ARC Northeastern University, Cooperative Education and Career Development Open Door Arts Open Style Lab Opening Doors to the Arts Partners for Youth with Disabilities Perkins School for the Blind Roxbury International Film Festival Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Program Spaulding Therapeutic Recreation Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital The Arc of Massachusetts The Carroll Center for the Blind The Cotting School The DocYard Understanding Our Differences United Cerebal Palsy of Metro Boston Waypoint Adventure Wicked Queer Work Inc. Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities

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STAFF & BOARD MEMBERS STAFF Katka Reszke, Festival Director Susan Adler, Executive Director Ariana Cohen-Halberstam, Artistic Director, Boston Jewish Film Nyssy Clark, Director of Production Joyce Bettencourt, Marketing Manager Joey Katz, Program Associate Ann Bersani, Accounting Manager Tallulah Bark-Huss, Intern Jessica Carlson, Intern Johnathan Kindall, Intern FESTIVAL PRODUCTION Laurann Black and Wesley Hicks, Technical Directors J.C. Bouvier, Web Support REELABILITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Kristen McCosh, Board Chair Charles Baldwin Ann Bersani Louise Citron Jessica Doonan Patrick Downes Goldie Eder Maureen Finnerty Alexander Freeman Matan Koch Ellie Pierce Carl Richardson Harriet Schnitman Sharon Shapiro Carol Steinberg Don Wertlieb

BOSTON JEWISH FILM BOARD MEMBERS Taren Metson, President Doreen Beinart, Vice President Lee K. Forgosh, Vice President Dana Volman, Vice President Jill Greenberg, Treasurer Ken Shulman, Clerk Debra Ankeles Beverly G. Bavly Abigail Cable Jill Cohen Lawrence S. Feinberg Judith L. Ganz Nancy L. Gossels Jim Gould Judy Lappin Bette Ann Libby Mark Lowenstein Cynthia Marcus Joyce F. Pastor Nancy S. Raphael Barbara Resnek Adam I. Riemer Paul G. Roberts Denise L. Widman

Admission is free to all screenings.

Please register in advance at www.reelboston.org 12

REELABILITIES BOSTON REGISTRATION

Admission is free to all screenings. Please register in advance at www.reelboston.org.

SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL

Help Support the ReelAbilities Boston Film Festival. Make a taxdeductible donation on our website or text 44321 to REEL2020.

WIN A $100 GIFT CARD

Share your feedback! Filmgoers can take the ReelAbilities Film Festival Boston survey at www.reelboston.org for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

Become a part of the nationwide celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act – July 26, 2020. Explore and learn more about the ADA. www.adaanniversary.org

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ReelAbilities Boston wishes to honor and acknowledge the indigenous communities native to this region and recognize that our festival takes place across indigenous lands. We recognize the Massachuset, Nipmuc, Pawtucket and Wampanoag people of the past, present, and future.

Proudly Presented By:

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Proudly presented by Boston Jewish Film bostonjfilm.org | Cover: Kupenda, photo by Justin Francis March 22—April 2, 2020

For tickets, updates, and additional information: reelboston.org | 617.244.9899 | info@reelboston.org

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