Review

Rapp Sheet — 2-3-2011: Burma: An Indictment kicks off the JVS/Screenland Crossroads of Culture Film Series

Director Anne Makepeace films the documentary, "Rain in a Dry Land," screening in Kansas City as part of the Crossroads of Culture film series, on May 12. Image: courtesy of the director

Since 1949, Jewish Vocational Service has been committed to assisting members of the Kansas City community to overcome social, cultural, and economic barriers. Years ago, the organization's mission expanded from its original focus on Holocaust survivors and other refugees to help people of any cultural background who are assimilating into US life to find self-reliance by providing support, personal development, and employment services. JVS now serves people in 14 counties in Missouri and Kansas.

Continuing that spirit, AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Safiye Manguoglu, working with the JVS, has organized the Crossroads of Culture film series — a four-part volume of worldly study. The monthly Thursday series is showing at the Screenland Theatre at the Crossroads beginning February 10, with Burma: An Indictment. The documentary was a favorite at the Kansas International Film Festival (Rapp Sheet — 10-1-2010), and has since toured the world — many times accompanied by director Jeremy Taylor, who is a huge proponent of connecting with viewers to enlighten them to the plight of this beleaguered country.

Promotional image for "Burma: An Indictment," directed and produced by Jeremy Taylor. Image: courtesy of the director

The films in this program are thoughtfully programmed to highlight circumstances and challenging topics relevant to JVS clients, as well as a wide array of communities and cultures in Kansas City. In addition to the screenings, displays created by JVS clients (many refugees) and employees will offer intimate glimpses into the transition into the United States and life thereafter. There will be clothing and other items created by refugee clients, as well as information about the JVS. Discussion panels are planned to follow directly after each film, with perspectives from refugees, other JVS clients and employees, other community members, and filmmakers. Taylor will be on hand for his film's screening to answer questions from the audience; no doubt, a spirited discussion should ensue.

These events are free and open to the public. There will be an optional “donation ticket” at the door with a raffle drawing for those that participate. Doors open at 6 p.m., and films start at 7 p.m. The series leads up to the fourth annual “Crossroads of Culture” celebration of the United Nations' World Refugee Day in June, which is also free and open to all.

Manguoglu came to work with the JVS through the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer program, a segment of AmeriCorps that is committed to fighting poverty and has more than 1,200 projects across the country. Each VISTA member makes a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a non-profit organization or public agency. In return for their service, AmeriCorps VISTA members receive a modest living allowance and health benefits, and they have the option of receiving a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or post-service stipend after completing their service.

Manguoglu's current focus is to stress the importance of breaking down barriers between individuals to help all become more self-reliant.

"I am always searching for ways to further immerse myself within the community," she says, "and want to help out in any way that I can to promote other events going on in the area."

To this end, using Crossroads in the title of her film series was synchronistic. Manguoglu is a self-professed community-builder and a huge proponent of the region where she lives and works. (The main office of JVS is located at 16th and Baltimore, near the Mexican Consulate.)

"The people of Kansas City are ever changing, and we adapt to those changes while never losing sight of our mission-to strengthen the well-being of individuals, families and the community by promoting successful social, cultural and economic integration," she says. "The Crossroads of Culture series goes above and beyond film by offering a personal and engaging forum, while providing support for the Crossroads Art District."

A recent graduate of the University of Kansas in international studies and marketing, Manguoglu always intended to work for a non-profit because she felt her ideas would be better heard in that setting. She saw the opportunity though AmeriCorps to start something from scratch.

"The reason this will be good is that there will be a lot of interaction — not just by going to the film," she says. "The displays will educate. Viewers will get to meet people who have lived through the actual ordeal. A discussion group follows each film. It will be a very intimate, personal experience."

While film as a message carrier may seem like a natural way to communicate the plights of the displaced, getting such an ambitious venture together was initially challenging for Manguoglu, as was educating the public to the valuable resource that is the JVS.

"I wanted to leave something indelible during my time at the JVS, something sustainable. When I first started knocking on the doors of different coffee shops and businesses, nobody really knew who we were or what we did. I started to think, 'What better way than film?' Film is something people would attend anyway. It seemed a great way to spotlight our services, and I've seen evidence there will be a big audience for these pieces."

Filmmaker and activist (executive director of the Free Burma Alliance) Jeremy Taylor, stands with Burmese children. Taylor produced and directed "Burma: An Indictment" to bring attention to the less-known plight of the people of Southeast Asia. Image: courtesy of the director

Jeremy Taylor, who produced as well as directed Burma: An Indictment, seconds the sentiment of film as a powerful communicator: "I can’t think of a better way to convey this message. Print and radio are a good way to get the word out, TV is great, but to show up at different film festivals and to get the chance to talk directly to the audience to see if I can get someone, anyone, to step up and make a difference. This is what it’s all about."

Burma: An Indictment depicts the inhumane conditions that lower class Burmese citizens suffer daily, making public record of a most challenging way of life where families have to sneak across the Thai border to receive the most basic health care, and prisoners are routinely kept in solitary confinement for 15 years. Taylor's film doesn't pull punches.

Taylor, who is also the executive director of the New York-based Free Burma Alliance, will be on hand after the screening to discuss his experiences in Burma and to further educate the public about the different ways to help the ill-treated and oppressed people of Burma, whose situation is largely shrouded in secrecy by a stranglehold government.

"It’s imperative that people are made aware of what’s going on in Burma and the plight of Burma’s peaceful people,' says Taylor. "To be honest, I ask people all the time, 'Where’s Burma?' A lot of people don’t even know Burma is a country. Many times the ones that at least know Burma is a country have no idea where it is. They tell me Africa, one actually told me South America, so the first step is educating people about Burma."

A scene from Jeremy Taylor's "Burma: An Indictment." Buddhist monks from this country now live in exile. Image: courtesy of the director (via the Associated Press)

Taylor has been showing his documentary around the world at various film festivals and feels that as many screenings in as many cities as possible is a positive step toward changing things in Burma.

"Crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide are occurring daily in Burma, and something needs to be done now," Taylor says. "Help is on the way for Haiti, help is on the way for Darfur, but no help is on the way for Burma. Right after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, the world community offered aid to help the victims, but the generals refused the offer. Than Shwe and his cohorts would rather Burma’s people suffer and die than receive international aid."

Taylor encourages those interested in helping with the Burma plight consult FreeBurmaAlliance.org and sign the petition asking US President Obama to refuse to recognize the Burmese election results of this past November and to reject the new pro-Junta parliament. He also encourages donations to the Free Burma Alliance to continue to provide food, shelter and medicine to victims.

While Taylor is passionately determined to see the eyes of the world look at the atrocities in Burma, he hopes the gaze of justice can extend to a larger culprit.

"As a filmmaker/producer, I’m dying to blow the whistle on China’s one-child policy," he says. "Americans have no idea what kind of human rights violations against women are happening today in China. As far as my activism work, I’m dedicated to continuing to raise money to care for the neglected Burmese refugee children in Thailand and inside Burma. Also, the women in Burma are victims of systematic sexual violence and rape. It’s a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the United Nations — which knows about it and isn't doing anything about it. A documentary needs to be done about that."

American refugees, without a name

Next month, the series continues with Sin Nombre, a film by Cary Joji Fukunaga that represents immigration, language, and culture themes. This plays on March 10 and shows how the "greatest sin of all is risking nothing." It revolves around Honduran teenager, Sayra, who reunites with her father and finds an opportunity to potentially realize her dream of a life in the US. Moving to Mexico begins a twisting odyssey of the unexpected.

"Sin Nombre was chosen as a selection because of all the work JVS does with immigration, and language and cultural training," says Manguoglu. "When schools and businesses need interpreters, we provide those. We also do a lot of cultural classes and relationship training. All of these elements are represented in this film. Also, since all the other films are documentaries, I wanted to do something that was more of a narrative story."

Other life challenges

"Another thing we do at JVS is employ adults with physical and mental disabilities," says Manguoglu. "The story in Luckey is about a man who did interactive art, building installations, and one day became paralyzed from the neck down."

Luckey, by Laura Longsworth, is about Tom Luckey, who went though an enormous life changing accident but in his paralysis found a new life. This film plays April 14.

A scene from "Luckey" by Laura Longsworth, showing installation artist Tom Luckey near his creation, the Memphis Children's Museum Climber. Image: courtesy of the director

Completing the series is Rain in a Dry Land by Anne Makepeace. This deep-tissue humanist tale depicts Somali refugees at their most challenged. The film plays on May 12.

"This is the first and biggest undertaking I've ever done," Manguoglu admits. "The film series is especially important because it reaches a new audience that could potentially become more aware of the JVS's services. It's vital that everybody knows who we are and what we do."

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