DOCUMENTARY SHORTS: WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS
Friday, March 23 | 5 PM | First Congregational Church
55 min.
Followed by a discussion with directors Jason Blevins and Elina Street, and producer Olena Lysenko
Featuring stories of human resilience, and the inspiring dedication of those who refuse to give up, these short documentaries remind us that amidst personal, national, and global conflicts we are connected through our potential to persevere.
Tickets for this screening are general admission, and pay-what-you-can.
SHORT FILMS IN THIS PROGRAM:
I NEVER HAD DREAMS OF MY SON
Dir. Jason Blevins | Documentary Short | U.S.A. / Ukraine | 2022 | 17 min. | English and Ukrainian with English subtitles
In August 2014, Oleksii Shevliuha disappeared during the Battle of Ilovaisk in eastern Ukraine. Five years later, his father searches for him, using Ukrainian folklore and modern technology. Many hundreds of YouTube videos later, he catches sight of an imprisoned man resembling his son.
CLEAN
Dir. Miranda Stern | Documentary Short | U.K. | 2022 | 19 min.
A personal and female-centered view into addiction, this film weaves together observational and lyrical elements, taking us into the challenging, relatively unknown world of long-term recovery as one couple negotiates it and plans for an uncertain future.
THE LESBIAN BAR PROJECT
Dirs. Erica Rose and Elina Street | Documentary Short | U.S.A. | 2021 | 19 min.
Released before a powerful television docuseries of the same name, this short film sheds light on the ongoing struggle for lesbian bars to survive in the face of economic and social challenges. Through archival footage and contemporary interviews with bar owners and patrons, the film provides an intimate look at the vital role these bars play in the LGBTQ community, while also highlighting the urgent need for support and preservation. At once celebratory and sobering, this film is a must-see for anyone interested in queer history and activism.