Changemakers Series screening of Unbroken Glass on November 19th at Edward Hospital
UNBROKEN GLASS
Debut feature by Dinesh Das Sabu screens as a part of the Changemakers Series
at Edward Hospital in Naperville on November 19th, 8pm
Kartemquin documentary charts filmmaker's journey to shatter twenty-year silence
following family tragedy
CHICAGO, IL -- November 21, 2016 - The award-winning Kartemquin Films screened UNBROKEN GLASS, the debut feature documentary from director Dinesh Das Sabu, at the Changemakers Series at Edward Hospital in Naperville on November 19th, 3pm. The event was sponsored by E3 Entrepreneurs and Linden Oaks and in partnership with the Buzruk Family, Indian Harvest and SAAPRI. After playing at film festivals across the country, UNBROKEN GLASS was back in the Chicagoland area in front of an enthusiastic diverse audience including many South Asian community leaders.
When he was six-years-old, Dinesh Das Sabu's parents died. Raised by his older siblings, he had little idea who his parents were or where he came from. Through making UNBROKEN GLASS, he attempts to piece together their story and his own. Uncovering a silenced family history and disturbing truths, Dinesh and his siblings must finally reconcile the past, confronting the trauma of losing their parents and the specter of mental illness.
UNBROKEN GLASS weaves together Das Sabu's journey of discovery with cinema-verite scenes of his family dealing with still raw emotions and consequences of his immigrant parents' lives and deaths. The film was shot over five years in Illinois, New Mexico, California, and India.
"I hope that telling my family's story will raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness, while at the same time empower suicide survivors and families of the mentally ill to share their stories," said Das Sabu. " It's been a long road-living through these events and the filmmaking process-but I'm very proud that it's done, and excited to meet an audience with it."
Amit Thaker, Director of Business Development of Linden Oaks Behaviorial Health, commented on why it was so important to show the film to the community: "Ironically, the same qualities that have marked South Asians' successful immigration experience - an outward projection of emotional resilience, a relentless work ethic, a strong drive to assimilate - further complicate how they deal with mental health issues that arise in their families. My personal belief is there is no inherent value in silence, no valor in pretending that we're never hurt, no shame in reaching for help. We as a society need to collectively admit the illusion of perfection can be a danger to our mental health."
The Founder of the Changemaker Series, Saily Joshi, stated: "The Changemakers Series was started to invite individuals who are changemakers in their disciplines or fields and who would influence us to think a different way, learn something new or expand our mindset.
The core of Changemakers centers around the concept that in order for each one of us to continue to grow as individuals we must be ready to have courageous conversations with others from different walks of life and those who have had different experiences then our own. We were honored to screen UNBROKEN GLASS, a documentary that embodies all these elements. Showing this documentary which highlights the stigma behind mental illness in the South Asian community is only the first step. We know have the responsibility to all become ambassadors to break down that stigma."
Das Sabu attended the screening and, afterwards, participated in a Q&A discussion moderated by Mr. Thaker. During a post-screening reception, attendees had the opportunity to talk with Das Sabu one-on-one and share their own stories.
UNBROKEN GLASS was directed and produced by Dinesh Das Sabu. Executive Producers are Gordon Quinn, Leslie Simmer, Justine Nagan, Betsy Steinberg, and Melissa Sage Fadim. The film was edited by Matt Lauterbach, shot by Dinesh Das Sabu and Ian Robertson Kibbe, and co-produced by R. Patrick Lile, with music by Joshua Abrams.
About Dinesh Das Sabu
A graduate of the University of Chicago, Dinesh Das Sabu completed an internship at Kartemquin in 2008 and subsequently joined its staff. Now a Kartemquin Associate, Dinesh completed a fellowship with Firelight Media's Documentary Lab in 2015. His credits include work as a cinematographer on Kartemquin's AMERICAN ARAB (2013 ) and THE HOMESTRETCH (2014), as well as cinematography on WAKING IN OAK CREEK (2014), and the forthcoming END OF LOVE, THE FEELING OF BEING WATCHED and HOW TO BUILD A SCHOOL IN HAITI, which he is also co-producing
About Kartemquin Films
Kartemquin Films is a not-for-profit collaborative center for documentary media makers who seek to foster a more engaged and empowered society. In 2016, Kartemquin celebrates 50 years of sparking democracy through documentary. Best known for producing HOOP DREAMS and THE
INTERRUPTERS among over 55 other documentaries that examine and critique society through the lives of ordinary people, Kartemquin has marked their 50th Anniversary with a yearlong celebration encompassing events across the world, including screenings, masterclasses, broadcasts, free online streaming of every film in their catalog, and an exhibition of artifacts and equipment at Expo 72 gallery in Chicago from May 20 - August 20. For more information, visit www.ktq50.org .
2016 Kartemquin releases include ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL and RAISING BERTIE, both of which screened at the 2016 Chicago International Film Festival.