Filmmaker Interview for “For Gaza We Rise”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE SCREENING (11:30 am – 1:00pm)
For Gaza We Rise
Director: Nicholas Stange (USA)
The film follows Rockford For Palestine’s struggle to get the City of Rockford to pass a ceasefire resolution.
(55 minutes)
What drew you to create this film?
It is important for us to face and acknowledge the genocide occuring in Gaza and ask what we can do in our communities to help. We also have a moral obligation as a community to offer support for community members who are directly and indirectly affected by this crisis. Oftentimes, during a crisis we can become distracted and struggle to stay informed. It is important to understand that distraction aids the enemy. Therefore, I felt I needed to try to use my privilege to help amplify the voices in our community who are trying to address and end the genocide in Gaza.
What does filmmaking mean to you?
Filmmaking is an opportunity to highlight and bring awareness to different societal issues. It provides individuals the space to use the power of storytelling to force viewers to think about the complexity and nuances of life. It is also another way to expose and amplify diverse cultures within a shared community
What advice would you give students or beginners that want to make films?
Don’t dip your toes in the water, climb up to the top of the high dive and cannonball right into the deep end. Just start creating!!!! I truly believe that life is a creative act and will lead to happiness.
What films do you watch again and again?
The one film I make sure to share with my students every school year is “Betty Feeds the Animals,” by James P. Gannon. This film is a beautiful and fun character study of a lady who feeds the neighborhood animals. I also enjoy watching this movie to help reset my life when times are tough.
