The Longmore Institute on Disability and LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired are still so excited about the success of Superfest 2017! Although this year's festival has come to an end, this post will let you know how you can still watch or learn more about some of your favorite characters, films, and directors! And don't miss the chance to catch six of these films with audio description and captioning twice a day throughout December 2017 and January 2018 on SFGOVTV2 either on your tv or streaming to your computer. Click here for the schedule or here to watch now.
Info for films that screened on Saturday, November 4th Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, Berkeley:
CHIEF This reverent ode to the service dog tells the story of German immigrant Sonja Ohldag, who is diagnosed with a seizure disorder after moving to the U.S. in 1999. Unable to afford a service animal from an organization, Sonja trains her dogs herself and takes a chance on Chief, who is not your average service dog. Keep up with @chief - a service dog on Facebook.
MIND/GAME: The UNQUIET JOURNEY OF CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW Basketball superstar Chamique Holdsclaw faced six felony counts, the possibility of prison and public attacks on her character. Her rollercoaster attempts at recovery from near suicide reveal an uphill battle against the stigma of psychiatric disability and show a deep journey that is powerful, revelatory, instructive and real. Learn more about Mind/Game on Twitter! @mindgamefilmBuy your home use DVD here.
WHEN BRENDEN MET HIROE A photographer from Australia returns to Japan to reunite with his friend Hiroe, who he met at a blind and deaf/blind workshop the year before. The pair spends an unforgettable day together. Learn more about this film and director on Twitter! @crossroadarts Watch the film here (Audio described but not captioned).
THE BARBER OF AUGUSTA Toronto native Matthew Genser goes to great lengths to find his unexpected superpower: cutting hair. Like all superheroes, he has a dark side; but in his costume, he’s invincible. Put on your cape and get lined up! Follow and learn more about the Director of this short film on Twitter! @michelehozer Check out the film website.
TRAVELLER A young woman born with a disability searches for a career despite rampant discrimination. She travels to Japan where she finds strength in disability activism and community, and returns home with a newfound sense of pride. Follow and keep up with the director on Twitter: @nwayezarchesoe
ON THE OUTS: REENTRY FOR INMATES WITH DISABILITIES “On the Outs” follows three inmates with disabilities as they prepare for reentry, get discharged and navigate the challenges of returning to their old lives. Produced by the Amplifying Voices of Inmates with Disabilities (AVID) Prison Project, this documentary scrutinizes the prison institution and its treatment of inmates with disabilities. This film can be rented or purchased from: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ontheoutsa There is also a link to a non-AD non-Opencaps version at: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ontheouts Follow on twitter: @avidproject Learn more about Rooted in Rights and see other films on their website here.
SIGN Two men meet on a train—and a tender and unspoken love story unfolds. Through vignettes, music and sign language, “Sign” follows the relationship between Ben (hearing) and Aaron (Deaf) as they navigate life’s milestones side by side. Follow and learn more about this film on Twitter: @signthefilm
IN CRYSTAL SKIN In Bogotá, Colombia, a charismatic eleven-year-old named Maria lives with the limitations imposed by a rare skin disease. Her fierce bond with her mother is tested and strengthened as they struggle to preserve Maria’s swiftly passing childhood. For more information on this film follow @incrystalskin on Twitter, as well as stream through Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/216918967 (No AD)
STAB: LIFE AS A VOODOO DOLL An animated comic medical memoir dedicated to all those who live with chronic illness or disability. Writer and director Jeanette Castillo pairs her tongue-and-cheek personal account of living with Type 1 diabetes with criticism of the American healthcare system. Keep up and learn more about this film by following its Facebook page.
Info for films that screened on Sunday, November 5th at The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco:
DEEJ After being abandoned by his birth parents, DJ found not only a loving family but a life in words through a text-to-voice synthesizer. Told by DJ himself, “Deej” was filmed over six years in the American Midwest and chronicles his journey to become Oberlin’s first non-speaking, autistic student. Info on how to catch this film at www.DeejMovie.com or order your DVD at https://www.deejmovie.com/store. Deej will also be broadcast by America ReFramed throughout the week following Tuesday, December 26. Follow and learn more about this film through twitter! @deejmovie
ON BEAT This documentary short follows the lives of a deaf couple with hearing children and the unexpected outlet that brings their family closer together. Purchase and stream all of Reid Davenport’s films at: http://throughmylens.us/reids-films/. Follow and learn more about this film's director on twitter! @ReidDavenport
LEFTY & LOOSEY In this techy ode to film noir, two amputee veterans turned private investigators uncover a diabolical plot and must overcome their fears to crack the code and save the world. Follow and learn more about this film and the director/actor/writer on Twitter! @david_harrellWatch it here (non-AD).
RHIZOPHORA Forty years after the Vietnam War, the toxic remnants of Agent Orange have not faded. In this dreamlike meditation on the impact of war and the resilience of humanity, "Rhizophora" follows 11 disabled Vietnamese youth on a whimsical, poignant and whirling journey through a day in their lives. Follow and learn more about this film on Facebook! @rhizophoramovieVisit the website.
WELL DONE A sharply-dressed young man with Down syndrome sneaks out of his house to visit an art museum and causes a disruption. Through humor and irreverence, this film reminds us that art can be interpreted by everyone, not just the "experts." Keep up and learn more about Well Done on Facebook.