A Weigh With Words!!!

NEW DOCUMENTARY PUTS D.C. YOUTH IN DIRECTOR'S CHAIR WHILE PUTTING WORDS IN THE HOT SEAT

WASHINGTON (August 8, 2007) - One Common Unity in association with Straight, No Chaser Productions presents A Weigh With Words, the first film from the ongoing "A Nu View" program.

A Weigh With Words is a documentary film project which calls upon the community to reflect on how language has been and could be used as a tool for conflict or compassion. Featured in the film is a diverse collection of locally and internationally known activists, artists, academics and politicians. The list of contributors includes civil rights icon Dorothy Height, DC Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton, recording artist Raheem DeVaughn, author and rhetorician Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, scholar and poet E. Ethelbert Miller, and hip-hop legend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. The film was produced by the non-profit organization One Common Unity in association with Straight, No Chaser Productions, and will screen for one night only at the Regal Cinema-Gallery Place in Chinatown at 7pm on Wednesday, August 22 nd, 2007. Accompanying this screening will be a panel discussion with the filmmakers as well as a screening of the critically-acclaimed documentary Invisible Children.

A chief component of the production crew for A Weigh With Words was a team of six DC high school students who were selected to participate in the pilot project of "A Nu View", One Common Unity's youth film-making program. The youth shadowed the filmmakers during the production process and were active in every aspect of the film's production, including conducting all of the interviews. Each student was required to complete an essay detailing memorable production experiences, as well as reflections on the power of words.

"This film has potential to have a profound effect on the hearts, minds and actions of those who see it," offers producer Charneice Fox of Straight, No Chaser. "The youth group has had a chance to meet and interact in depth with prominent community leaders and celebrities, not to mention the fact they've contributed to the production of a film that will be seen by their peers, elders and one day their children. It's a tremendous opportunity for a select group of 10th, 11th and 12th graders and we're all excited to have been able to work with them. We hope to do something similar with a different group next year."

The film's focus on how words are used is timely in light of recent controversial gaffes on the part of several high-profile figures, including radio personality Don Imus, retired star athlete Tim Hardaway, university administrator Ralph Papitto, and actors Michael "Kramer" Richards and Isaiah Washington. The film presents an open dialogue on the many topics brought to the fore by these individuals' comments such as race, class, homosexuality and gender identity. The film also explores the issue of censorship versus free speech as it relates to hip-hop culture and homophobia.

One Common Unity (OCU) is a member supported non-profit organization whose mission is to nurture sustainable, caring communities through innovative peace education, arts and media. Since 2000, OCU has been producing community events and offering alternatives to violence and creative outlets for artistic expression.

Straight, No Chaser Productions, a multimedia organization offering consulting and workshops, has written and produced a number of films that have been screened in film festivals across the country. Their award-winning drama Multitude of Mercies, selected as part of Black Entertainment Television's Rap-It-Up Series, has garnered a Cable Positive Award.

A Weigh With Words was underwritten by the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and benefited from support from a number of local businesses and community-based non-profit organizations. Tickets are available at Busboys and Poets, Java Green, and online at www.OneCommonUnity.org.
Contact: Charneice Fox, Program Director, A Nu View, (202) 390-1081 or charneice@onecommonunity.org