War, genocide and oppression: unfathomable tragedies affect so many and paint a dark portrait of the human condition. And yet, out of atrocity, the beauty of poetry can flow, as those who lived it attempt to make sense of it all. Through the poems and words of six extraordinary artists and a unique visual style, comes director Katja Esson’s deeply contemplative examination of the ever-present questions of violence, society and the reality of being an artist and survivor. Put best by poet Li-Young Lee: "I wish I could say the human spirit is resilient; some days I don’t think so." Shot on location from Hiroshima to Rwanda, we are given an intimate look into the language of the soul and the creative process behind it. And in the end, we come a little closer to understanding the madness of war and how art will flourish in spite of every obstacle. (Patrick Miller)
BIO: Katja Esson was nominated for an Academy Award for her film "Ferry Tales," which screened at the Woodstock Film Festival in 2002. Her other credits include "Skydancer," about Mohawk ironworkers, "Vertical Traveler," which explores the pioneering spirit of New York City through the metaphoric story of the city's unique relationship with elevators, "Hole in the Sky," a portrait of New York five years after 9/11, "Latching On," about the politics of breastfeeding in America, and "Hooker, Harlot, Whore," about the history of prostitution in Europe. Her films have screened at film festivals around the world and been broadcast on HBO, PBS and ARTE, among others.
Esson lives in Brooklyn, New York, and divides her time between Germany and the United States.
The Woodstock Film Festival is a not-for-profit, 501c3 organization with a mission to present an
annual program and year-round schedule of film, music,
and art-related activities that promote artists, culture,
inspired learning, and diversity. The Hudson Valley Film
Commission promotes sustainable economic development
by attracting and supporting film, video and media production.
