A Rundown on The Fund for Santa Barbara’s Annual Social Justice
Award

By Sheyla Molho

Every year, a special documentary film wins the Social Justice
Award for Documentary Film, presented by The Fund for Santa
Barbara
. fundsantabarbara.gif This prestigious award is given each year
to a film that sheds light on social issues and contributes to the
advancement of justice. This year, 11 different films will be
screened and judged for the award. And the nominees are:

Ayamye (2006, USA, 66min, BetaSP,
DigiBeta, Directed by Eric Matthies and Tricia Todd) This is about
the life of a West African village that is keenly awaiting a
shipment of bicycles from the United States. ayamye.jpg Part of a greater project called the
Village Bicycle Project, which provides donated bicycles with tools
and repair training; this documentary introduces us to a group of
individuals who show us the perils of life which include a lack of
adequate transportation. Visit ayamye.org to view a short clip and find
more information on the film. Friday, Jan. 26, 1:45
p.m. Metro 4 Theater
Tuesday, Jan. 30,
7:00 p.m. Center Stage Theater

Recycled Life (2006, USA, 38 min,
BetaSP, Directed by Leslie Iwerks) This documentary gives
us a closer look into the lives of several families who live and
work by Guatemala’s most toxic landfill. The narration is by Edward
James Olmos. Friday, Jan. 26, 1:45 p.m. Metro 4
Theater
Tuesday, Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m.
Center Stage Theater

Beyond the Call (2006, USA, 82 min,
BetaSP, DigiBeta, Directed by Adrian Belic) Following three
middle-aged men, Ed Artis, Jim Laws, and Walt Ratterman, Adrian
Belic takes us around the world to the most dangerous places on
earth. BeyondTheCall.jpg Their organization “Knightsbridge”
appropriately named after these three modern day knights, delivers
humanitarian aid throughout the world. Visit their organization
knightsbridge.org for more
information on their efforts. Saturday, Feb. 3, 1:30
p.m. Marjorie Luke Theatre

Blood of the Yingzhou District (2006,
USA/China, 39 min, BetaSP, DigiBeta, Directed by Ruby Yang) Living
as an outcast from his community in China, a young boy infected with
AIDS
due to unsafe medical practices serves as a symbol of the
hidden AIDS epidemic which has hit China. Thursday,
Feb. 1, 1:30 p.m., – Lobero Theatre

Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington
Anymore?
(2006, USA, 82 min, 35mm, Directed by Frank
Popper) Following Missouri’s political candidate Jeff Smith, a
29-year-old who is running to replace U.S. Senator Richard
Gephardt, Frank Popper takes us through a political journey and
gives us a glimpse into the system of democracy in America.
Vmr_smith_poster%28small%29.jpg isit mrsmithmovie.com for more
information. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m. Arlington
Theatre
Thursday, Feb. 1, 11:15 a.m.
Metro 4 Theater

Crude Impact (2006, USA, 98 min,
BetaSP, DigiBeta, Directed by James Wood) The documentary
demonstrates the chain of events which occur as a result of the
U.S.’s over-demand for oil. crude%20impact.jpg Visit the website for more interesting
information on the film crudeimpact.com. Sunday,
Jan. 28, 7:00 p.m. Centerstage Theater

Tuesday, Jan. 30, 10:00 p.m. Victoria Street
Theater

In the Pit (2006, Mexico, 75 min,
35mm, Directed by Juan Carlos Rulfo) A documentary chronicling the
lives
of the builders of Mexico City’s second deck of the
Periferico freeway. Sunday, Jan 28, 4:00 p.m. Metro 4
Theater
Tuesday, Jan. 30, 10:45 a.m.
Metro 4 Theater

Super Amigos (2006, Canada/Mexico, 82
min, DigiBeta, Directed by Arturo Perez Torres) SUPERAMGIOS.jpg Five heroes are followed through Mexico
City with their fight for human rights and social justice as the
forefront of their lives. Saturday, Feb. 3, 9:00 p.m.
Victoria Street Theater
Sunday, Feb. 4,
1:45 p.m Metro 4 Theater

Taking Guns from Boys (2006,
Liberia/USA, 57 min, DigiBeta, Directed by Jessie Deeter) While
wrecked and torn by civil war in Liberia, United Nations Force
Commander Daniel Opande makes an attempt to bring an end to the
violence which captivates the country. guns%20from%20boys.jpg Visit the official website takinggunsfromboys.com for more
information on the film. Sunday, Jan. 28, 10:30 a.m.
Center Stage Theater
Wednesday, Jan. 31,
7:00 p.m. Center Stage Theater

The Ground Truth (2006, USA, 78 min,
Directed by Petricia Foulkrod) Hitting close to home, this
documentary follows the full process in which young Americans are
called to military duty in Iraq, from their recruitment, training,
combat, and homecoming to the impact on their lives when returning
home from war. To view a clip, visit
here
. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 9:00 p.m. Arlington
Theatre
Thursday, Feb. 1, 1:45 p.m. Metro
Theater

View from a Grain of Sand 2006, USA,
80 min, BetaSP, DigiBeta Directed by Dan Katzir Through their
accomplishments and losses of rights, the slow but sure defeat of
women’s rights in Afghanistan is portrayed. grain%20of%20sand.gif Visit the film’s official site for a
detailed description of the film viewgrainofsand.com.
Thursday, Feb. 1, 12:30 p.m. Victoria Street
Theater
Friday, Feb. 2, 11:15 a.m. Metro
4 Theater

The Details: The Fund for Santa Barbara will hold a reception
with the nominees on Sunday, January 28, from 4-6:30pm. The cost is
$25. Call 962-9164 for reservations. The award winner will be
announced on Closing Night, Sunday, February 4. See
sbfilmfestival.org for tickets.

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