This weekend, in a small village about an hour north of New York City, a conference will take place that honors television, video and cinema and the people who use these media in an effort to offer hope for humanity and the world we live in. The conference is called, Images and Voices of Hope Summit (below is a link to their website). I first learned of this summit last summer when I received an email informing me that my documentary, Earth Songs: Mountains, Water and the Healing Power of Nature, was nominated as a contender for their annual award. The nomination is itself an honor, and as a first time film producer/director, I feel very privileged to be included in this group of acclaimed luminaries. Congratulations to all the nominees and a hearty thank you to all the people who have dedicated their lives in which to make the world a better place to live.
Many people use cinema to change social norms, raise consciousness and influence people to make the world a better place in which to live. This was my purpose in making my movie, Earth Songs. This was the purpose of Al Gore’s movie, An Inconvenient Truth. Movies and the various media used to distribute cinema may be created to inform, educate and entertain, but when all is said and done, what moves people to change is being affected emotionally in a positive way. This, indeed, is what images and voices of hope is all about.
When one considers media outlets like Fox News and talk radio hosts (who shall go nameless here) who use media to instill fear, it becomes a black eye on humanity. Many people say that there is nothing good on television anymore. While this may be true, there are many people using film (primarily documentaries) to share important messages and evoke emotions that raise consciousness in the hopes to make the world a better place. Please keep looking for these films. Please make an effort to listen to these voices. They do exist, and they are certainly worth watching, perhaps several times.
• Stress Tip for the Day:
Find an uplifting movie to watch tonight or this weekend. But don’t watch it alone. Make a family cinema night. Or invite some friends over, have a pot luck before then watch. Discuss the movie afterwards. What it means, why it was made, and how it might inspire you to make the world a better place. If you cannot think of a good movie choice, consider these options:
• It’s a Wonderful Life
• Gandhi
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• The Miracle Worker
• Field of Dreams
• Links Worth Noting:
http://ivoh.org/
• Quote of the Day:
“Film as dream, film as music. No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.” —Ingmar Bergman
• Photo of the Day:
Earth Songs was screened in St. Louis a few weeks ago at the Healing Touch International Conference. It received a standing ovation. Thanks to all the people who have supported me an my efforts to share this film with the world. On a personal note, I would like to express my humble gratitude to renowned actor Michael York for his stunning narration, composer Brian Keane for his incredible musical score and all the people who were involved in the production of Earth Songs.
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
