Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFilm festival analyzes themes of disability
By Attila Berry
Posted: 10/18/04, 3:00 AM EST Section: Pulp
In reaction to the film, Pentzell, with the help of his facilitator, typed out a message for Wurzburg.
"Gerry, I kiss you in spirit for taking on this topic," Pentzell said, eliciting great laughs from the crowd.
This year's festival also included television episodes from "South Park" and "Malcolm in the Middle" and popular films such as "Stuck on You" and "50 First Dates." It also included a Saturday morning session for children, ages four to 12, in the community with cartoons featuring disability issues.
In total, about 500 people attended the festival, many of whom left with a better understanding of people with disabilities.
"I'm very glad I went in," said Rob Lescarbeau, a drama and English teacher at Fulton High School. "I was happier that it wasn't just about discussing disabilities in the media. Just listening to Sue totally makes you do a 180 on what people with autism are like."
Linda Rohlin, having worked with disabled students in the public school system for more than 20 years, wished that some of the autistic people she has known could have seen the films.
BCCC members worked on the festival since the spring, securing the legal rights to screen films and television shows to a large audience, and BCCC had assistance through grants and donations from several corners of the Syracuse University community.
"I'm just really excited that we can do this," said Christy Ashby, a doctoral student and a member of BCCC. "Having people who are identified as disabled in the audience talking back to what they see and what they hear is really powerful to me."
"Gerry, I kiss you in spirit for taking on this topic," Pentzell said, eliciting great laughs from the crowd.
This year's festival also included television episodes from "South Park" and "Malcolm in the Middle" and popular films such as "Stuck on You" and "50 First Dates." It also included a Saturday morning session for children, ages four to 12, in the community with cartoons featuring disability issues.
In total, about 500 people attended the festival, many of whom left with a better understanding of people with disabilities.
"I'm very glad I went in," said Rob Lescarbeau, a drama and English teacher at Fulton High School. "I was happier that it wasn't just about discussing disabilities in the media. Just listening to Sue totally makes you do a 180 on what people with autism are like."
Linda Rohlin, having worked with disabled students in the public school system for more than 20 years, wished that some of the autistic people she has known could have seen the films.
BCCC members worked on the festival since the spring, securing the legal rights to screen films and television shows to a large audience, and BCCC had assistance through grants and donations from several corners of the Syracuse University community.
"I'm just really excited that we can do this," said Christy Ashby, a doctoral student and a member of BCCC. "Having people who are identified as disabled in the audience talking back to what they see and what they hear is really powerful to me."
