Healing art brings hope
By: Jesse Morrison
A&E Coordinator
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Entertainment
Art unites two vastly different parts of the world in the documentary "To Touch the Soul," in which students from the California State University at Long Beach travel to Cambodia to teach art to children suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Professor Carlos Silveira recruited these students as part of a pilot program teaching art as a way of expressing a child's desires for the future.
It began in June of 2004.
When she first learned about Silveira's mission, Teresa Hagen, a writer of more than 30 years experience, formed her company, Cut Loose Productions, and made "Soul" the company's first endeavor.
"I got involved because of Carlos's belief in art as a way to communicate and empower children," Hagen said.
Hagen hired Ryan Gobble, a graduate of the film program at CSULB, to direct the project. He didn't have much experience at the time, but Hagen doesn't regret her decision to hire him.
"He had the generous spirit required," Hagen said. "I don't think anyone could have done as wonderful a job as he did."
Once they received the funding from grants and donations, the film crew traveled to Cambodia in January 2005. The impoverished neighborhoods had nothing in the way of resources for filmmakers. This became a problem when the environment took its toll on the equipment.
"It was hot and dusty," Hagen said. "It was so dusty that we lost a camera and footage."
But the production endured and wrapped in June of last year.
The art students kept diaries of their experiences, and a narrator tells the film's story by reading excerpts from them.
"It's told from the students' perspective," Hagen said. "They were so poignant and had a lot to say."
At the film's beginning, Silveira spells out why they are there and why the mission is so important.
"How can we help kids be more critical about their world? How can we develop critical consciousness in kids so that they become independent thinkers, so that they can somehow make decisions about the world we live in?" Silveira said. "This is empowerment."
Like most, I took art classes in grade school. I was always encouraged to express myself. However, I realized I didn't understand the basic idea of art until I heard Silveira speak. I always took for granted that power, until I saw this film. And that's what this movie does. It not only shows a group of selfless individuals helping to open a child's eye, but it shows the power we all have.
"Soul" is a competently made film that never once fills you with pity. It lets you revel in the joy of watching innocent children, with everything going against them, smile and enjoy the beauty in the world.
"We all fell in love with these children and hope the audience will as well." Hagen said.
The film screens at Malco's Studio on the Square this Sunday at 1:10 p.m. as part of the On Location: Memphis International Film Festival. To learn more about this film, check out the website at totouchthesoul.com
Professor Carlos Silveira recruited these students as part of a pilot program teaching art as a way of expressing a child's desires for the future.
It began in June of 2004.
When she first learned about Silveira's mission, Teresa Hagen, a writer of more than 30 years experience, formed her company, Cut Loose Productions, and made "Soul" the company's first endeavor.
"I got involved because of Carlos's belief in art as a way to communicate and empower children," Hagen said.
Hagen hired Ryan Gobble, a graduate of the film program at CSULB, to direct the project. He didn't have much experience at the time, but Hagen doesn't regret her decision to hire him.
"He had the generous spirit required," Hagen said. "I don't think anyone could have done as wonderful a job as he did."
Once they received the funding from grants and donations, the film crew traveled to Cambodia in January 2005. The impoverished neighborhoods had nothing in the way of resources for filmmakers. This became a problem when the environment took its toll on the equipment.
"It was hot and dusty," Hagen said. "It was so dusty that we lost a camera and footage."
But the production endured and wrapped in June of last year.
The art students kept diaries of their experiences, and a narrator tells the film's story by reading excerpts from them.
"It's told from the students' perspective," Hagen said. "They were so poignant and had a lot to say."
At the film's beginning, Silveira spells out why they are there and why the mission is so important.
"How can we help kids be more critical about their world? How can we develop critical consciousness in kids so that they become independent thinkers, so that they can somehow make decisions about the world we live in?" Silveira said. "This is empowerment."
Like most, I took art classes in grade school. I was always encouraged to express myself. However, I realized I didn't understand the basic idea of art until I heard Silveira speak. I always took for granted that power, until I saw this film. And that's what this movie does. It not only shows a group of selfless individuals helping to open a child's eye, but it shows the power we all have.
"Soul" is a competently made film that never once fills you with pity. It lets you revel in the joy of watching innocent children, with everything going against them, smile and enjoy the beauty in the world.
"We all fell in love with these children and hope the audience will as well." Hagen said.
The film screens at Malco's Studio on the Square this Sunday at 1:10 p.m. as part of the On Location: Memphis International Film Festival. To learn more about this film, check out the website at totouchthesoul.com