OCR Text |
Show Page 18 NORTH COUNTY NEWSPAPERS Thursday, February 7, 2008 BYU students hope film moves viewers to act Michael Rigert NORTH COUNTY STAFF Two Brigham Young University Uni-versity students recently saw a film about injustices against the people and children of northern Uganda and the experience expe-rience moved them to act. The message of "Invisible Children" left such an impression impres-sion on them they're organized a special benefit screening of the film tonight at 7 p.m. at the Festival Cinemas, 959 S. 700 East in Orem, with the hope that others will also see it and want to help. Andrea Ellis, a 21-year-old "sociology major from Spring, Texas, had heard of the 2003' documentary "Invisible Children" Chil-dren" that chronicles a militant rebel uprising in northern Uganda that began 21 years ago that has displaced families, destroyed lives and turned children chil-dren into slave soldiers. According the organization's Web site (www.invisiblechil-dren.com), (www.invisiblechil-dren.com), the Lord's Resistance Resis-tance Army and the Ugandan government have waged a war that has left nearly 2 million civilians ci-vilians caught in the crossfire. During their visit five years ago, the filmmakers found children chil-dren being abducted from their homes by night and forced to fight in the rebel army. Though much of the so-called "night commuting" has all but ceased and a temporary truce is in place, thousands still suffer poverty, disease and near-starvation at government reloca- with the r- in "r. few Prevents LIFETIME WE HAVE ALL HEEDS! IIICLUDIIIG LIFT KITS! A I V.- f .... WE OFFER: Superchips Nerf Bars 'Vent Visors Turbo & Cat Back Exhaust Kits Bed Caps Fender Flairs Edge Juice with Attitude! f ': ROCKY'S AMERICAN CAR CARE FINANCING AVAILABLE! NO INTEREST UNTIL 20081 O wiy Hta ov $400 i. 'Vs 1 . i " i . .' t ii j v 1 l-'ur- : T I BYU students Andrea Ellis left and Connie Wagner stand outside theater where their benefit screening of "Invisible Children" will tion camps. Invisible Children Inc., the nonprofit humanitarian organization or-ganization spawned by the filmmakers, calls the war "the most neglected humanitarian humanitar-ian emergency in the world today." Ellis recently viewed the film, was incredibly moved, and hosted a house party to , ... . - 'I J ' si1 l. 4 i f 1CETI"CATES ) Non-skid, crack-proof surface rust and dings WARRANTY! H' 1 Slit- mi..-t.li,. jmss. I i YOUR TRUCK y .nu ' - la ampin ii i i ? i i in 397 N. STATE OREM 655-1140 r;rufi ! nil! ;nh:m i mkii hi m s 6-15 show the movie with 15 other guests including her cousin, Connie Wagner, a freshman studying English at BYU. "After watching it, I just couldn't sit still and let it happen," hap-pen," Ellis said. Though some were shocked by the violence and cruelty, "the general consensus con-sensus was they wanted to do something to help." Most Insurance Plans Accepted Payment Options Available Great With Children Senior Discount Emergencies Welcome Nitrous Oxide Preventive Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry Teeth Whitening Dr. Crowns & Bridges Dentures Root Canals Sedation Dentistry Smile Re-Design Tooth Colored Fillings Valid FINANCING AVAILABLE I Valid 1 ' ' I,. get ((Mtm'tt'Tt- Ml ; J 1 i mm acre recreational estates underground utilities electric, phone v siaie-0Hne-an water system restrictive covenants architectural review committee well-maintained roads year-round access call B01 368 8272 soldiersummit.com MARK JOHNSTONDaily Herald Festival Cinemas, the Orem be held. The cousins immediately decided to organize a charity benefit screening of the film to help raise funds for the people in the camps and to create greater awareness about the human crisis. The women contacted local merchants and crafted a slick business letter to elicit support sup-port and sponsorships for the Steven R. Braithwaite & Family Vt;M.,.JU,t-A TEETH WHITENING WITH NEW PATIENT EXAM, CLEANING & X-RAYS $175 Value! with cnunon nnlv Not Valid with other nflVrt onU with ne patient exams Ftpires VIOS i..vrrYu 5 .,' S . MOUNTAIN ESTATES " 1 " ntiuhnhi thmtiijii: David Cunningham Bankers Really screening. They approached several movie theater owners about the film before meeting Tyler Measom, co-owner and theater manager of Festival Cinemas in Orem. Measom said though it was obvious the duo knew little about promotions, filmmaking or fundraising, he was taken in by their passion for the project. An independent filmmaker film-maker himself, Measom said he has shown other special screenings at Festival Cinemas including one about the crisis of child prostitution in India. He agreed to allow them to screen "Invisible Children," film unseen. "They were just two people who saw a film and were touched," he said. "My goodness, good-ness, if there were more people more motivated to help out the world, it would be a better place. I'll do whatever I can to help them." Festival Cinemas is giving away free movie passes to those who attend.tonight's $2 screening, and gift certificates for several Provo restaurants will also be raffled off, Wagner said. Aamco Transmissions in Provo sponsored the event's promotional expenses. The women also recruited the help of an Ugandan graduate student, Emmanuel Lusinde, they tracked down through the help of an African Afri-can market and restaurant in Salt Lake City. He will share some of experiences following tonight's screening. Though :? Toplcs Include; Develop Ufetimt Essential Skills and Personal Growth In each major area of your life. Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Physical, Personal, Educational, Vocational, Financial, Health, Social Family & Business, Avocation & Hobbies, Your Big Dream Classes begin February 5th, 2008 Schedule your class today 1 Call 801-615-9986 or 801-772-0229 and reserve your seating. 1 Benefit'Controls C i ) M 1' A N 1 1. S wi. ui.i ivi. k -.ii ii .;.. hi . i:j n Kst ii-,: Large and Small Employer Groups (fully-insured and self-insured plans) Individual Plans & Family Plans Medical Prescription Dental Vision Life Disability (LTDSTD) HSAHRAFSA Cancer Medicare ':'m--T rf"1 Special Offer: November , 2007 -January 31, 2008 EARN DOUBLE POINTS With Your Family First VISA Extra A wards Card f. 4 A-.. w W 'i 1. Double points on all purchases in November & December 2. Double points on all balance transfers in January Mmirhncucan) lot mi rtanwdan W fwt vw crad cd optunt m you. tf tin 0a. tifl I alTIIIjr f ITSl GOING ON VACATION? Donate your newspapers to Newspaper in Education. Lusinde came to the U.S. to study and has not personally witnessed the upheaval portrayed por-trayed in "Invisible Children," he sees no peace for his country coun-try until the rebel warlord is apprehended and indicted. "I think the international community isn't doing much ... they need to take action," Lusinde said. "This film is about putting the word out about it. Many Americans want to do something, but they don't know (about it)." Though Ellis and Wagner registered the charity screening screen-ing online at Facebook Events and have 90 RSVPs, they aren't sure what kind of turnout turn-out they'll get or how much funds they'll raise. But that doesn't worry them. They just want the public to realize there are many worthy causes out there and hope "Invisible "In-visible Children" inspires them to lend a hand. Wagner said the film touches touch-es the heart when viewers see the pain and inhumanity the Uganda children and their families have suffered. "We're all busy and have work and things to do, and I know this sounds cliche, but with a little bit of effort, you can make a difference," she said. "If we just raise a couple of hundred dollars, it will be worth it." More information on "Invis- . ible Children," how to purchase a copy and how to help are available on the organization's Web site. UK Ml J t-4 Hospital Income Benefits Long Term Care (LTC) Accident ' i 'ia ' "" irTn'rfi - - f Raie As Low As f Rxd AI'R (oac) tywdby. i I I N N For more Information call 344-2021 ra-.jrTNr--'W'wsj wrif Mil' mi .'" ..u. 4t ibAsWML.aiJi Otanfctw iii4iiSiisiiillaiiMMi i HiiWH.iaw am im jimstfcmiiOiii ft (Jwei |