Students’ film about equality receives accolades

A partnership with Let’s Make a Movie, a program taking at-risk Kansas City youth off the streets and into the movie studio, has led to a creative outlet for several Indian Trail Junior High School students.

Most recently, 15 students walked the red carpet at Youth FilmFest KC! as part of the Diversity Film Project sponsored by Red Echo Group, a nonprofit organization started by former Indian Trail student and actor Eric Keith.

Keith’s filmography includes guest spots on such popular shows as “Six Feet Under,” “Sex and the City” and “All My Children.”

He brought Red Echo Group to Kansas City in 2003 to provide hands-on experiences in theater and film for underprivileged youth and to foster an ongoing artistic community, according to www.redechogroup.org.

Indian Trail received the Freedom Award at the FilmFest premiere Dec. 13. The Diversity Film Project challenged students to explore issues related to equality and human rights in five areas: the civil rights movement, the crisis in Darfur, the Holocaust, the women’s movement and the Latino movement.

Indian Trail students focused on the Holocaust and created a “modern” film based on the time period.

Cathy Barrom, 14, said she was inspired by her involvement.

“It just really emphasizes how one person can make an impact, whether negative or positive,” she said. “Hitler had such a negative impact on the Jewish community and the world. It’s up to you which path you choose.”

Cathy joined 14 other English-language learners to create the film, which followed a “west sider” who came to an east-side juvenile detention center. Being from the other side of town meant he was not welcome, she said.

“They treated him poorly just because of the side of town he was from,” she said. Assistant principal Margo Twaddle said the Diversity Film Project was the school’s “fifth or sixth” partnership with Keith. The experience has been rewarding for Indian Trails students, she said.

“It’s always been really positive for the student on many levels,” Twaddle said. “We target students who might not otherwise be highlighted and who could really grow from the experience, students showing leadership and who would embrace the experience of getting to shine.”

Students studied the history of the Holocaust and attended classes to learn the technical and creative processes of filmmaking, both on screen and behind the scenes.

“One of the cool things about the project is they looked back at something that happened in history, which isn’t always that interesting,” Twaddle said. “They had to think about it and process it and figure out how it would be in modern times and how it could apply to them personally.

“It definitely made history come alive and was another opportunity for ELL students to practice their English.

“Plus, it’s a confidence builder when the students see themselves on film and get praise and applause.”

Indian Trail joined students from Arrowhead Middle School in Kansas City, Kan., the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, reStart Inc. and Operation Breakthrough for the two-day film festival last weekend.

The awards were as follows:

• Humanity Award, in recognition of commitment to human rights, Arrowhead Middle;

• Diversity Award, in recognition of commitment to celebrating diversity and equality, Jewish Community Center;

• Equality Award, in recognition of promotion of equality, reStart Inc.;

• Freedom Award, for commitment to the cause of freedom, Indian Trail; and

• Courage Award, for courage in furthering the message of equal rights, Operation Breakthrough.

After the films were screened, students gathered on stage for applause and photos before a photo session.

“It was like a Hollywood award event,” Twaddle said. Cathy said her movie experience could mesh well with her future plans for entering international law.

“I could be a CSI (crime scene investigator) on reality shows,” she said while laughing.

For more information on Red Echo Group, visit www.redechogroup.org. For more information on Let’s Make a Movie, visit www.filmsforyouth.org.