4/19/2012

"The Meaning of Suffering" - A Letter From Texas

"Howdy from Texas! We are currently working at a camp in Texas on the year-round retreat missionary team. Not surprisingly, we have been inspired by the documentary, The Human Experience, and one cold January day we were squeegeeing our dining hall floor, and started dreaming of a complimentary companion piece to this awe inspiring film. 

One of us -- from Stockton, California, and has recently returned from a year living with 150 deaf and disabled children in Northeast India and the other -- from Fort Wayne, Indiana, a recent college graduate who prayerfully discerned out of studying for her Masters in Human Rights and Genocide Studies at Kingston University, met November 2, 2011...and became an instant adventuresome duo. 

The Human Experience has inspired countless conversations between us about the meaning of suffering and the unmistakably necessary role it plays in our faith. That day in January, our conversation went one step further and we desired to understand the motivation to undergo suffering for another. We desire to explore the motivating power of love and ultimately, the meaning of love in action. Not our cultural understanding of gushy, spontaneous, feel good love, but "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13).  Our curiosity took us to question the motivation behind such acts of selfless, self-giving love as witnessed in instances such as the women living in IDP camps in Darfur who repeatedly disregard their own personal safety and womanhood in jeopardy to provide for their families, people who voluntarily put themselves in harms way to protect and save members of their communities; i.e. volunteer fire fighters, and conversely those who have experienced the opposite of love. "The opposite of love is not hate, it is use (JPII)." such as escapees of human trafficking rings in Italy or Cambodia. Finally, the healing power of love in cases where the suffering was inflicted rather than chosen, for example Immaculee Ilibagiza's loving choice to forgive those who confined her to a bathroom for 9 months and killed her family and friends. 
 
We appreciate the universality of The Human Experience and its ability to relate to all humans regardless of culture, faith, or social status while at the same time not ignoring, rejecting, or hiding its Catholic Identity. We would like to continue that universality in a continuation of The Human Experience through the eyes of two women exploring the Human Condition." 

-- K & K
Texas

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4/03/2012

Inspirational Fan Mail for The Human Experience

To anyone who feels lost in life... who may not be too sure about who they are, or who they want to be -- and to those who do, but are searching for more -- a deeper meaning to life and relationships:

You should all watch The Human Experience. I was searching on Netflix for a documentary to watch and stumbled upon it. I keep recommending it nonstop. It's a fantastic documentary that follows a journey, a path to discovery. It shows us that we need to not be afraid to go outside of our comfort zone (the western world) and be a bigger, more meaningful part of this world. Life is definitely not easy. I have experienced a lot to show me that but as long as you can find the beauty in life and persevere then beautiful things are to come. This movie is a direct portrayal of the beautiful struggle life has to offer. 

I am thankful that those that are a part of the film actually reach out to those in the community for various reasons. This film helped me in so many ways. It encouraged me to change my major to better benefit those around the world. I am traveling to the Dominican Republic and Africa this summer. I cannot be more excited and more optimistic about spreading my knowledge and gaining much much more knowledge that this world has to offer. Thank you everyone who was involved in creating such a beautiful movie. I love it! Thank you so very much for changing and inspiring my life!

- A.S. (via Facebook)

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3/29/2012

Freelance Crew Wanted

Grassroots Films of Brooklyn is seeking experienced freelance DPs/shooters, sound people, & editors for a number of new client projects coming up this Summer and Fall. Please submit a brief email to social@grassrootsfilms.com highlighting your experience, along with a link to your reel. Include your daily/weekly rates for with & w/o a kit, and specify what you shoot/record/edit with. No phone calls. Thank you!

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1/23/2012

Thoughts From A Social Worker on The Human Experience

The following is an excerpt from a letter written by a woman who recently viewed The Human Experience:

I am writing to tell you I was deeply moved by watching “The Human Experience”. I only just came across your film a couple of weeks ago and upon viewing the trailer, decided it was something important for me to see. Stumbling across your film now could not have been timelier. The steady stream of tears that rolled down my cheeks as I watched your journey was indicative to me that I very much needed to hear your message.

I believe when we speak with our hearts, other hearts respond to our message. You most definitely speak with and from your heart. I was struck by your courage ~ to risk being open and vulnerable about who you are and those things that continued to haunt you. This is a rare gift, as we are often sent the message that it is unsafe to share our truth with others. I was also impressed with your noticeable wisdom and insight ~ you clearly have a “knowing” about the world beyond your years. This was so important for me to see given that many of our youth struggle in today’s society and are treated as though they do not have something important to contribute.

In the spirit of sharing and reciprocity (and to give you some context about why your film had such an impact on me) I want to tell you a bit about my journey. I come from a broken and violent home. I grew up impoverished, surrounded by substance abuse and mental illness. I had little hope as a child but knew by the age of 11 that I did not want the life that was handed to me. After much adversity, hard work, self reflection, and perseverance, today I am in a place I never thought possible. I have a safe place to live, the best friends a girl could ever ask for, a vocation that I love, and I am privileged enough to right now be studying as a graduate student pursuing her PhD.

As a social worker, I have witnessed and heard many things. I have seen the very epitome of hope and the greatest depths of despair. It’s difficult at times, having been exposed to so much both personally and professionally to stay hopeful and remember what my own purpose is. And then a story like yours comes along and is a brilliant reminder of why I am called to do my work. Your story…your willingness to step outside of yourselves and into another’s world even for a short time reminds me that we, as human beings, are all in this together ~ no matter where we come from, no matter what we have or don’t have, no matter if we recognize we are one another’s brothers and sisters or not.

Thank you for serving as a beautiful reminder about the importance of being human. I wish you love, peace, and many blessings so that you may continue your important work of shining as beacons of light for those who need reminding that hope exists in the world and can change everything.

With Deepest Gratitude,
- S.B., Canada

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12/21/2011

Merry Christmas!

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11/23/2011

Grassroots Films Crashes the Super Bowl!

Our crew here at Grassroots Films is always amazed at the many ways in which The Human Experience continues inspire others. Sometimes we receive letters and emails from people who have endured great struggles in life... others have made radical changes, and some have even gone so far as to leave home and set out on their own amazing journeys. Our friends pour out their hearts and souls in their letters; they share their trials, their joys, and -- not to be forgotten -- their laughter too.

That said, we also have a sense of humor! There is a light and fun-loving side to Grassroots Films (which you will undoubtedly pick-up on if you have seen The Human Experience). We are pleased to share a little side project that we put together for Doritos' "Crash the Super: Bowl Hollywood Edition" commercial competition!

Without further ado, we present to you our submission:


* When the flash animation loads and begins, simply click "skip" in the
upper right-hand corner to go directly to our commercial spot.


Below are some behind-the-scenes stills from the filming of the commercial. We hope that it makes you laugh! If you enjoy it, please share it with others, and leave a comment on the Doritos site. Thanks for sharing our comedy and fun!



GRF cameras capturing the living room scene.




Prepping to shoot the hospital drama.




A final snapshot of the happy family.


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8/16/2011

On Volunteering


A recent letter from a volunteer in Peru, and fan of The Human Experience:

I just want to thank everyone at Grassroots Films for creating The Human Experience. I grew up in southern Jersey, but for the past three years I have been living, working and volunteering in Lima, Peru. I go back and forth every six months, with one suitcase filled with the few things that I might need. I honestly believe I would not be the person I am today if it was not for what I have experienced from living abroad. I don't have time or space to collect a ton of material things and I have learned to live that way... and at the same time, I have completely adapted to living in Peru. I have grown, matured, and prospered in that country and I have found beauty in every area that I have lived or traveled.

- Elizabeth F.



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