anni
Administrator
Administrating Designer
Posts: 1,607
|
Post by anni on Jun 2, 2014 14:47:31 GMT -8
RAPP is ready with another film for June 13th. "Herman's House" happens to also involve an inmate at Angola Prison. Herman Wallace was kept in solitary confinement for over 40 years. Jackie Sumell is an artist who began a conversation with him that developed into a 12 year friendship. She asked him what his dream house would be like and eventually she built a model which was seen in museum and gallery exhibits. Her project drew attention to the issue of solitary confinement and we are hoping that this screening will also increase awareness to the cruel and unjust practice.
Our screening coincides with Torture Awareness month and we will have letters to sign that urge our representatives to support the Solitary Confinement and Reform Act.
We warn you that there is some coarse language spoken in the film and a reference to Sumell's earlier work that was intended to offend and was successful in attaining that goal. There is much redeeming meaning in the movie as we see two people break through seemingly impenetrable barriers with caring communication and mutual respect and love.
We hope to see you on June 13th. Doors open at 7. Film begins at 7:30.
Peace,
Jeanne Lavieri
|
|
Brian
Administrator
Posts: 3,795
|
Post by Brian on Jun 4, 2014 23:00:04 GMT -8
That's the trailer, and here is the link to the official website for "Herman's House," the film: hermanshousethefilm.com/ |
|
anni
Administrator
Administrating Designer
Posts: 1,607
|
Post by anni on Jun 5, 2014 16:31:40 GMT -8
Don't let me forget some tissues, this time. Pahleez?
Sent from my LG-LS720 using Tapatalk
|
|
|
|
Post by Jeanne on Jun 6, 2014 20:18:56 GMT -8
RAPP is ready with another film for June 13th. "Herman's House" happens to also involve an inmate at Angola Prison. Herman Wallace was kept in solitary confinement for over 40 years. Jackie Sumell is an artist who began a conversation with him that developed into a 12 year friendship. She asked him what his dream house would be like and eventually she built a model which was seen in museum and gallery exhibits. Her project drew attention to the issue of solitary confinement and we are hoping that this screening will also increase awareness to the cruel and unjust practice. Our screening coincides with Torture Awareness month and we will have letters to sign that urge our representatives to support the Solitary Confinement Study and Reform Act. To get more of a feeling about what solitary confinement is like, we are going to build a temporary SHU (Secure Housing Unit) for people to enter downstairs after the screening. anni and I are going to meet downstairs at church this Thursday, June 12th, at 10 am to put it together. You all are welcome to join in. If you have any cardboard boxes to contribute, please bring them. |
|
Brian
Administrator
Posts: 3,795
|
Post by Brian on Jun 11, 2014 23:01:55 GMT -8
Our screening coincides with Torture Awareness Month and we will have letters to sign that urge our representatives to support the Solitary Confinement Study and Reform Act. Thanks to Jeanne -- and her friend Virginia Classick of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture -- Anni and I started participating in local NRCAT events five years ago. Although neither of us is religious, we support NRCAT because it is the most effective organization addressing the official torture that was committed in our names with our tax dollars in the 21st Century. Here is NRCAT's webpage for Torture Awareness Month: www.nrcat.org/torture-awareness-month-juneLately, NRCAT has also been in the forefront of the movement to abolish solitary confinement. Among the many pages on its website grouped under the tab "Torture in U.S. Prisons" is this page specifically about the Congressional legislation that Jeanne mentioned: www.nrcat.org/torture-in-us-prisons/federal/the-solitary-confinement-study-and-reform-act-of-2014 |
|
Brian
Administrator
Posts: 3,795
|
Post by Brian on Jun 12, 2014 23:44:16 GMT -8
Here's an update from Jeanne, via e-mail Wednesday night:
|
|
|
|
Post by Jeanne on Jun 13, 2014 22:49:58 GMT -8
This just in - anni and Brian in dualitary confinement in 6' x 9' Secure Housing Unit. Thanks to them for help in building the structure of their confinement and for hauling lots of non electric chairs up the stairs for tonight's screening of Herman's House. It was a good event. Truths about lives were heard and appreciated. Minds were opened to weaknesses in our society that need our immediate attention. New connections were made. Looking forward to reading Brian's insights.  |
|
Brian
Administrator
Posts: 3,795
|
Post by Brian on Jun 15, 2014 0:23:31 GMT -8
NRCAT posted this You Tube video of Dolores Canales speaking last February.
Dolores was there in Washington, D.C. to join the call for an end to solitary confinement at a gathering hosted by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture and the American Civil Liberties Union, which preceeded a Congressional hearing on the topic. Some 80,000 prisoners in the U.S. are currently in solitary -- 3000 of them live here in California. Dolores brought the issue home Friday evening at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church in a panel discussion with Andy Griggs of Interfaith Communities United for Peace and Justice and our own Jeanne Lavieri after the screening of "Herman's House."
We will have more to say about Dolores, her son and her group, California Families Against Solitary Confinement, in the days to come. Meanwhile, I want to thank Jeanne and Edmond for their series of RAPP documentaries -- and for introducing us to so many amazing people.
|
|
|
|
Post by Oss Rae on Jul 27, 2014 6:06:13 GMT -8
Darn, missed Herman's House.  |
|
