The campaign was started to promote a reconnection between African-Americans and Jews. I am hoping it will inspire the two cultures to better understand one another. After showing the film at numerous film festivals and receiving so many awards, I saw that the impact of film was greatest in the education arena. I was offered theatrical distribution, but that would have limited my ability to outreach, so I turned it down.
Did people think you were nuts to pass up the chance for a theatrical run?
Most people didn't understand the nature of distribution in the documentary world. They deferred to my better judgment. I, on the other hand, agonized over this decision. I talked to many filmmakers who warned me not to give up my rights or control. Ultimately, I went with my gut.
It was then that I realized that bringing the film to inner-city students could make a difference in their lives, since they were not going to see the film at the local art house movie theater. The film has been picked up by Teachers College, Columbia University, to screen before graduate students of education, with the purpose of creating a curriculum based on teachable moments called: Stone's ten steps to success. Harvard's graduate school of education is co-sponsoring a screening with the Achievement Gap Initiative Conference. The film showed at the Museum of African American History of Philadelphia recently. The audience was inspired to reach out to their alumni in the suburbs.
What kind of reception have you had on the film festival circuit?
It's won ten awards, all reviews have been rave. The Boston Herald said that the film was "Awe inspiring" and "should be seen at every high school in the U.S." It received a rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It received the Kaiser Permanente Thrive Award for telling a story of thriving in the face of injustice. Likewise, at theaters and screenings, audiences have been deeply moved.
Impressive! What experience did you have in filmmaking, prior to this?
I took a six-week crash course at NY Film Academy to make a five-minute documentary on my grandmother. Two years later, I went to Buenos Aires with a cameraman and made a 40-minute film on the Jewish community, at a time of economic and political upheaval.
Heart of Stone is a great advertisement for that film course! The metal detectors, 72 surveillance cameras, and Stone's bullet proof vest are sobering visuals of the reality of inner-city life. What did the students think - were they initially receptive to your coming there to film?
For the most part, the students and faculty were receptive because
Stone endorsed my being there. Some faculty members were afraid I would be exploitative, showing the harsh realities without showing the positives that they feared were rarely shown. Stone was charismatic and just about everyone loved him and followed him. He managed the school like a sports enterprise. Each part of the school answered to him: faculty, coaches, staff and students. When he gave me the go- ahead to film anytime I wanted, most students and staff members were open to let me in. It was unprecedented access that I will never get again. I don't think any other high school in Newark will let this happen again.
What's new with the WHS-alumni connection?
There have been alumni from other schools in the audience who have been inspired to start similar groups. Hal Braff is mentoring Rayvon. He's taking him to his dentist next week, Rayvon has never been. Hal got him a part time job in the US Bankruptcy Court. Richie Roberts* (from American Gangster) has volunteered to give legal representation to Sharif, the Blood gang leader. He's in jail, pending a gun charge. I think the alumni are slowly starting to mentor the students on a personal basis because they see that they need it.
I liked Sharif; I'm sad to hear that he's in jail. At least, he's got a savvy lawyer in his corner. What's next for you, Beth?
I'm hoping something a little less serious and with tv sponsorship.
Thank you for speaking with me, Beth. Good luck with Heart of Stone; I love what you're doing with it. As my readers have probably guessed, I highly recommended this film.
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