Another Mark Harris Piece: The Englewood Film Festival
Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:24AMI remember many years ago when Mark Harris told me about the first film he was working on. It was a documentary about the plight of a woman who lost custody of her child and was fighting to get her child back. I had done an article about the woman in The Final Call newspaper. Mark wanted to tel her story.
Mark Harris wanted to go into film to tell the stories of those who society would easily want to ignore or exploit. That was more than 10 years ago and Mark's passion is still just as strong. He's created huge buzz in the city and around the country for his films, 'I Used to Love Her' and 'Black Butterfly' and several other films.
I am proud that Bean Soup Times has been a supporter of his work from day one. We've featured Mark in print, helped promote his films both in Chicago and Atlanta because we believe in him. We love his work ethic, his commitment to the community and his passion.
I encourage everyone to support the efforts of Mark Harris
Today, he's taking it to another level by seeking to bring out the stories of other filmmakers and representing his community, Englewood. I spent the first years of my life on 61st and Langley and eventually went to high school in west Englewood (Lindblom) so I have much love Englewood and am so happy to see what Mark is doing.
Those from Chicago know that Englewood is an impoverished community that needs people with vision from the community to rise up and take charge. Mark created his upcoming film festival to help.
"The best way I can help is to offer my people something special in Entertainment. Every panel, film screening, and event will be focused on changing the condition of the people in Englewood."
What makes this festival unique is that it is about the art and the appreciation of film. Mark deserves our support because of instead of him seeking personal gain only, he's seeking to help a community rise.
For more information or to make a donation go to his website.
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