Experts discuss human rights issues after ‘Movies That Matter’

By Carole J Greene

Water

Daily, we are reminded of our duty to perform public health safety actions during the Coronavirus pandemic. Uppermost is to wash our hands with soap and water, frequently, and for 20 seconds or more each time. What if we did not have running water in our home?

What if our next-door neighbor didn’t either? How about the entire village?

We take plentiful running water for granted. We turn the spigot and it pours out. The time has come to raise our awareness of water scarcity in parts of the world. Could it happen here, where we get an average of 56 inches of rain every year? Quick answer: Yes.

“Sustainable Nation,” our first documentary in this season’s Movies That Matter series, follows three individuals working to bring water resources to an increasingly thirsty planet. After you view this one-hour film, you will want to hear about our situation from local experts. Discussion panelists are: Dr. William Mitsch, Director, Everglades Wetland Research Park Eminent Scholar, College of Art and Sciences, and Sproul Chair for SWFL Habitat Restoration, FGCU; and Dr. Abe Levy, retired Internal Medicine Physician executive and Southwest Florida environmental and social justice activist.

Discussion regarding this inaugural film of the series is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14 via Zoom. You will view each of the films in your home prior to the panel presentation, via the internet. Details will be provided upon registration.

Mental Health

Have you ever hurried past a homeless person huddled for sleep on a sidewalk and wondered what brought that person to this extreme deprivation? Even here in genteel, wealthy Greater Naples, hundreds of people have no home, but live in cars, tents and shelters or sofa-surf in the homes of family or friends. How does this happen? Would it surprise you to learn that many, if not most, homeless persons suffer from mental illness? Or that the local jail houses more people with mental illness than medical centers do?

Our second film, the feature-length documentary Bedlam, takes us into the national crisis surrounding care of the severely mentally ill through intimate stories of patients, families and medical providers.

A discussion of the film will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21. Panelists include filmmaker Dr. Ken Rosenberg, a Peabody Award-winning producer and director with six films for HBO and three films for PBS on mental health issues; Nancy Dauphinais, Chief Clinical Officer of the David Lawrence Center; and Pam Baker, CEO of NAMI Collier County.

Not all the victims of the current pandemic have caught the virus. Some have suffered from domestic violence stemming from frustrations, anger and isolation caused by the lockdown. Such violence, so often hidden in the shadows, has escalated because of these uncommon restrictions.

Domestic Violence

Analysis of our final documentary, Telling Amy’s Story, will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 28. Hosted by actress and activist Mariska Hargitay, and told by detective Deirdri Fishel, the film, which you will view in advance, follows the timeline of a domestic violence homicide that occurred on November 8, 2001. You will learn how to “see” the signs before it’s too late. Discussion panelists are filmmaker Joe Myers and Eileen Wesley, Executive Director, Project HELP.

Reservations are required for the films and the panel discussions are free. To RSVP and obtain details for viewing the films and discussions, go to hmcec.org and click on “Event Tickets.” After registration, you will receive links to view the films and join the discussions you would like to attend. You can submit questions via the “chat” box on your screen.

We will gladly accept your donation of any amount. Send to Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Naples FL 34110.

Consider becoming a sponsor at $100 for Silver, $250 for Gold or $500 for Platinum. Our gratitude goes to those who, at press time, have already become sponsors:

• Platinum: Steve and Sherry Pino

• Gold: Tikkun Olam Council of Temple Shalom

• Silver: Jeff and Ida Margolis; Fred and Elaine Kamin