Chris Ivey, above, whilst filming East of Liberty
Was approached recently by CURRENT TV about the 'East of Liberty' series. I told them that we were cutting the first two chapters into one film for festivals and hope to have it completed by August... WITH YOUR HELP!!
As with the past fundraising effort for those who missed out, I am offering donors credits at the end of the film.
The donations have ranged from $50 to $3000 (I have to film a wedding and a bar mitzvah for that one!)
So we're asking people to donate what you can and make this work.
I'll be sneaking the festival version in July and will be screening it in various neighborhoods outdoor as I get it out to the people who need to see it.
The festival version will be for everyone outside of the Pittsburgh area, a condensed version that leaves out a lot of East Liberty's history and stick to the national issues of race, class and gentrification.
And for those in other countries, just send about $200 pounds each... Or euros!! :)
This is a very exciting time for the 'East of Liberty' series, so be a part of it.
OR
You can donate to the other two projects currently shooting for Fall releases.
THE BIG GAMBLE: A documentary about the effects of the new casino on the North Side and the new hockey area in the Hill District.
OR
EAST OF LIBERTY: IN UNLIVABLE TIMES- The next chapter in the documentary series that tackles youth culture and violence in what's suppose to be "The Most Livable City in the U.S."..... They obviously missed Homewood and Beltzhoover.
Thank you all for your past support especially the Shadow Lounge, the Union Project, Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, Jennifer Russell, Hilary Brown, Sarah Vignale, Malik Bankston and many, many more.
Also check out the EAST OF LIBERTY- BAKERY SQUARE CLIP HERE and email me to learn more of the impact the second chapter of 'East of Liberty' had in the East End.
East Liberty was once one of Pennsylvania's most prosperous areas, but disastrous urban planning in the 1960s saw both the central business area decimated and tower blocks erected leaving residents isolated in the sky.
But change is again coming to East Liberty. The traffic in the centre is once again flowing after being rerouted in the 60's, the tower blocks are coming down and new shops are offering everything from yoga to organic food.
Everybody, seemingly, is a winner...
Chris Ivey, a seasoned filmmaker in Pittsburgh, first started working on the project in May 2005.
He found himself filming a publicity stunt in which paint bombs were being launched by employees of the regeneration company from a giant catapult at a soon-to-be demolished tower block, East Mall. But, admist the revelry, he found residents far from happy.“I was hired to document the tearing down of the high rises. At the same time I interviewed some of the residents who lived in the high rises and they weren’t happy at all because of the spectacle that was before them. They were really angry. It was their home, it was where they used to live, some for 30 years or more. Even though in many ways it wasn’t the best place to live it was all they had and to see strangers having fun by shooting paintballs at the block left them furious.”And so began a journey of investigation in which previous silent rage was given space to talk.
The film first debuted in the US last Autumn, and the response has astounded the director:“The reception here has been really incredible. It’s the most talked about thing in the city right now. There’s been loads of coverage in the papers and everybody around town is talking about it. All the screenings have sold out. The people at the screenings are really passionate – they’re always asking what they can do to get involved.”
Chris Ivey, above, whilst filming East of Liberty
For press enquires please email Andy Walpole
Click here to read a recent interview with Chris Ivey
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