By: Stuart Adelberg
Over the past six months, I have seen close to 40 films at the Avon Theatre in downtown Stamford. I’ve been touched both intellectually and emotionally by beautiful cinematography, wonderful writing, insightful direction and inspirational acting. Whether a film shocks, saddens or amuses me, I’ve learned that the impact is magnified many times over when I’ve had the good fortune to see it in this incredible historic theatre, on a big screen in the company of others who are sharing the experience.
You may assume that the above describes the experience of seeing one of the many fictional independent films offered at the Avon. You would not be wrong. But you may be surprised to know that I’ve had experiences that were just as moving when attending documentary screenings, particularly when they’re followed by meaningful dialogue with filmmakers and others.
Several times this fall, Avon audiences have witnessed the power of film as a catalyst for discussion and action on some of the most critical social issues of our time. Our goal in presenting these special films is to expose audiences to the human side of these issues – not to espouse a point-of-view, but to use film as a powerful tool for education, inspiration and engagement.
In September, the documentary Building the American Dream dealt with issues related to immigration. This film, presented in partnership with Building One Community, showed us the role that immigrants are playing in a massive construction boom occurring in the southwest. It identified issues of worker exploitation, the challenges confronting those who are navigating the legal system while trying to support their families, and the complicated nature of addressing these issues in today’s political environment. The film shared the personal stories of real people coping with real circumstances. As with any important issue, people can form a variety of opinions – but the feelings the film evoked were universal. At the conclusion of the film, local attorneys and organizations who work on these issues here in Fairfield County shared their perspectives and responded to questions from the audience.
In October, the Avon presented the latest in its Black Lens Series, a program created to encourage conversation on issues of social justice, race and equality. The series offers films created by black filmmakers or that focus on unique aspects of the African American experience. The latest film was Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, and it was screened just weeks after this American treasure and Nobel Laureate sadly passed away. The Avon worked with Stamford’s Cradle to Career initiative and several area non-profits who helped us draw an audience that included people of different ages, social, cultural and economic backgrounds. Morrison’s extraordinary life was shared in her own words and those of other African American icons in this documentary masterfully created by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Sanders attended the screening and participated in a dialogue moderated by Harriette Cole, an accomplished African American writer, editor, entrepreneur, and radio host.
In November, a sold-out crowd attended the Connecticut premiere of Parkland Rising, a film that begins with the terrible 2018 high school shooting in Florida but focuses much more on the inspiring actions taken since that time by students and families impacted by the tragedy. The film’s director, Cheryl Horner McDonough and several of the former Stoneman Douglas High School students and families attended our event and engaged in a meaningful exchange with the audience. This was a collaboration with several other non-profit organizations hosted in partnership with #UNLOAD and UConn-Stamford.
Going to the movies may not lead all of us to think of documentaries, but I’m hoping to change that. These are such challenging and divisive times for our nation. Opportunities to sit alongside people with different perspectives, to share engaging experiences, to learn from each other, and to participate in thoughtful and respectful exchanges of ideas are rare. We owe it to ourselves to take advantage of them wherever and whenever they appear.
When the Avon presents a well-crafted documentary and follows the screening with speakers, it is a truly meaningful experience. All of a sudden what was seen on the screen becomes very real, what happened somewhere else seems to be happening here at home, and the need to educate one’s self, form an opinion and potentially act on an issue evolves from someone else’s concern to a very personal obligation. I can’t tell you with any certainty that opinions were changed from these documentaries. I can tell you that the audience was moved by what they saw and came away with a lot to think about. That’s the unique power of film and the Avon Theatre will always proudly present it.
