Community Corner
Find out “What Matters?” to you April 23 at Moraine Valley Community College
Award winning documentary on poverty brings its call to action to Chicago area
ST. LOUIS/March 27, 2014 – On Wednesday, April 23rd, Moraine Valley Community College will screen an award-winning documentary about 3 friends (two idealistic activists and one skeptic) who attempt to live on $1.25 a day, the world’s standard for extreme poverty, as they journey across 3 continents. Their adventure takes an unexpected turn when two of them survive a deadly plane crash in Africa and all three must fight to finish what they started. The film focuses attention on an issue of global significance – extreme poverty. What Matters? deals with this subject in a manner that not only educates and motivates the audience, it is also entertains.
Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
What Matters? filmmakers and subjects Dan Parris, David Peterka and Rob Lehr will conduct a Q&A session after each screening discussing issues raised in the film. Global and Diversity Education and Democracy Commitment are hosting this event in conjunction with the ActOut Education Through Action Fair at the MVCC Library at both 11am and Noon. A 25 minute version of the film with Q&A will happen at both sessions. The screening is free and open to the public with seating first-come, first-seated.
Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The film chronicles the lives of many poverty-stricken families and offers insight as to how this problem can be addressed. The filmmakers’ core goal is to connect people who need something to live for with people who just need something to live. Parris feels that “What makes the film truly special is that it takes an honest, straightforward approach to extreme poverty that appeals to both the activist and the apathetic.” Parris also emphasizes that “this is a funny, adventurous as well as compelling film focused on an issue of universal importance.”
The film features a number of well-known activists including New York Times best-selling author Katie Davis - a 22 year old adoptive mother of 14 Ugandan orphans and founder of Amazima Ministries and Paul Rusesabagina - the man on whom the film Hotel Rwanda is based and the founders of Invisible Children.
After 10 festival runs and 2 major awards (Best Doc – St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase; Visionary Award – LA Awareness Film Fest), What Matters? is now partnered with independent film distributor Cinedigm along with marketing and promotions firm Movie to Movement to help spread their message.
The team has high hopes that Chicago will rally around a great story and continue to spread its call to action to audiences across the country. What Matters? is continuing its 80+ theatrical, community and campus screening run nationwide in order to build awareness for their upcoming iTunes/VOD release in late spring. To learn more about this moving documentary, please visit their website and Facebook page.
###
If you’d like more information about “What Matters?” the documentary or to schedule an interview with the filmmakers, please contact marla@marqueemediaandmarketing.com / 314-973-5525
