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Young South Africans and a film featuring Mandela’s Prison Letters

For the past two years Lorie Conway has been conducting research on the book The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela. Conway has been in direct communication with the publisher (who also represents the Mandela Foundation) about licensing the copyrighted material for use within a documentary film. In November 2019, Siobhan Hodgson, a South African filmmaker and producer, joined the Mandela film team as Co-Story Producer. Conway and Hodgson are developing leads relating to story, “cast,” and production logistics, including procuring the best South African creative team to help actualize the film. A teaser video is currently in production to assist in raising the funds needed to produce the Mandela prison letters film.

In the documentary, a select group, the “cast” of the film, will read, and in some cases, artistically interpret Mandela’s prison letters through song, dance, art, music, and rap. Some filming will be done by the youth collaborators themselves–in their homes, neighborhood, schools, and around many of the Mandela monuments within South Africa. Visuals and imagery will reflect an immediacy and nuance that connects Mandela’s prison letters to our cast member’s own lives — reflecting their struggles in South Africa today, as they read excerpts from his letters, and learn more about his life as a prisoner.

For more information about supporting this film or any information related to it, please email: bostonfilmvideo@gmail.com

BEATRICE Dramatic Film Pitch Heading to DURBAN FIlM MART 2023!

We’re excited to bring BEATRICE, an authentic story of courage and resilience to the DFM for pitching and partnerships.
BEATRICE, a dramatic film, is based on a true story, about a modern day warrior in Zimbabwe, a country where courage can get you killed.
Human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa seems unbreakable and fearless, but is she?
Rich in action, intrigue, courtroom drama, and an endearing love story, BEATRICE, will inspire everyone, everywhere.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” — M.L. King

BEATRICE, a dramatic film currently in development, features one of the bravest women in the world, human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa in Zimbabwe. A country ruled by violence and fear. Internationally known for her courage and passion fighting for the rights of others, often at great personal risk, Beatrice says,

“Somebody has to do it. Why shouldn’t it be you?”

Since directing a documentary on Beatrice in 2013, we have often discussed using her personal story to inspire others to face their challenges and to respond with strength of action, to “stand up.” Of course, Beatrice’s story also reflects on the other larger worldwide story of brutal and corrupt autocratic regimes. As well as the role of women who are, at great risk, raising their voices and actions against government and societal injustices.

So, while we may not all be warriors like Beatrice, in her courage can be found a reason to be brave, to try to do the next right thing.

Who knows, from there anything’s possible…

As Long As It Takes…a feature film or dramatic series about CAPTAIN BILL PINKNEY, An African American Man Who Inspires and Affirms, Life, Love, & Dreams, as he sails solo around the world. The First Black man of any nation to do so…

Sailing in to Boston Harbor 22 months after circumnavigating the earth!
In 1992, I was there to film Captain Bill Pinkney as I was producing the Peabody Award winning documentary, The Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney…Now, I just finished writing the pitch for a feature film, or episodic series, based on Bill’s life and journey. In light of the era we are living in, the Black Lives Matter Movement, and Hollywood seeking stories that defy the stereotypes,
AS LONG AS IT TAKES has it all.
Our fingers are crossed for a deal on this story that matters now more than ever.

Honoring caregivers in the age of coronavirus

#ThatsHomeThatsUS

As a filmmaker, I wanted to find a way to honor the caregivers on the frontlines of the pandemic, while also saying that we’re all in this together. I’ve created a short video with voices from around the world based on Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot.”

Here’s the link: https://vimeo.com/407558175

I’d be grateful if you’d share via Facebook, Twitter, email, etc. It’s an inspiring message. #ThatsHomeThatsUs

Netflix Series, the Devil Next Door

Working with Tel Aviv based directors, Daniel Sivan and Yossi Bloch, I’m thrilled to see how my producing research contributed to their Netflix series, the Devil Next Door. Was a Cleveland grandfather who is brought to trial in Israel, the infamous Nazi death camp guard known as Ivan the Terrible. Or, was it a case of mistaken identity? Watch trailer here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80201488?trkid=13710079&MSG_TITLE=80201488&lnktrk=EMP&g=D513A6AB848F50EEBCEB3674DF0AE5AD6455331B&lkid=TITLE_TITLE_2

Memorial Day Tribute on Boston Common

As the generals ask for 5,000 more troops to serve in Afghanistan, a country where, according to the NY Times Editorial today, Memorial Day, ” the United States has spent 16 years fighting the longest war in its history at a cost of more than $800 billion and 2,000 American lives. Where there is still no peace, and where everything seems to be going backward. Where the Taliban has regained the initiative, attacking as it pleases and expanding its territorial reach, and where other extremists — Al Qaeda and the Islamic State — also have a foothold.”

For the past several years on Memorial Day, over 20,000 flags are planted on the Boston Common, America’s oldest public park founded in 1634. Each flag represents a soldier who died from Massachusetts. Thousands come to pay their respects…here’s a short video I produced a few years ago in tribute.

https://youtu.be/7FqZHNIIC6o

Screening of Forgotten Ellis Island on Ellis Island, 5/27/17

Looking forward to the screening and book signing event on Ellis Island, May 27th, of my film Forgotten Ellis Island which is in its second run on PBS. So many of the stories in the film resonate with the stories being told today as the debate about immigration continues. Who we are — as a nation of immigrants — informs who we will be in the future.

For information on the screening and tickets, please click here:http://untappedcities.com/2017/05/04/vip-tour-film-screening-at-abandoned-ellis-island-hospitals-with-lorie-conway-author-and-director-of-forgotten-ellis-island/