CIFF Friday, Block 1: Documentary Program

SOLO LA CAÑA
Documentary Short (13 mins.) World Premiere

Director/Writer: Tom Laffay
Producers: Inka Haukka, Jason Glaser, Juan Salgado, Cristhian Velasquez and Meghan Canale

Synopsis: In the sugar-producing region of Western Nicaragua, an epidemic of Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown origin is decimating the male population, with some communities suffering a disease rate of 60%. Mothers and sons deal with the brutal reality of life in neighborhoods devoid of fathers. Some have lost hope completely, others push on, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy while sugarcane production expands to meet world sugar and ethanol demand. As a new cemetery fills up with bodies, research to establish the specific cause of the disease is slow and is furthermore being hindered by widespread intimidation of local journalists and workers alike.

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STORIES OF UNDECLARED WAR
Documentary (84 mins.) SC Premiere

Director/Writer: Dennis Rice
Producers: John Tu, Keith Quinn and Larry Tanz

Synopsis: STORIES FROM AN UNDECLARED WAR is a feature-length documentary about The Freedom Writers Diary, a collection of journal entries written by 150 'at-risk' students from Long Beach, California who were once considered 'unteachable.' Encouraged by teacher Erin Gruwell and inspired by the writings of Anne Frank, the students discovered a new way to express themselves and began to care more about history, humanity, and perhaps most importantly, their futures. This new documentary follows their story from the first day of Freshman Year in 1994 to the present day.