Lauren Spencer
It was the final day of the DocFestival at Pierce College, where students piled into the Student Community Center to watch one of the screenings of the featured movie, “Arlington West.”The three-day DocFestival, during which a panel of professors offered their opinions on documentaries to an open audience, was sponsored by the Pierce Diversity Committee and Associated Students Organization. The classroom screening of the films was April 22. There were five featured films that were shown between April 23 and the wrap up of the event Thursday. After every showing there were comments and questions from the audience and a panel of professors to speak and give their opinions on the film that was just watched. “Paper Dolls” and “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” showed April 23. “Paper Dolls” is about a group of transvestites being rejected because of their sexual orientation. They move to take care of other people’s parents, whose own children have rejected them for being too old or too much of a hassle.”The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” is a film of an Irish team of reporters who recorded images of an attempted coup at Venezuela’s presidential palace in Spring 2002. “The turnout was incredible,” said Fernando Oleas, Diversity Committee member and professor of Spanish and Latin American civilizations and culture. “The room was packed, over 240 students.” “Made Over in America,” “Arlington West” and “Sicko” were played Thursday.The first is a movie about America’s fascination with surgical makeovers. “Arlington West” is about a war memorial set up every Sunday at the Santa Monica Pier to honor all veterans and fallen soldiers killed in Iraq. It shows the many people affected by the Iraq war. Family members and friends of the passing soldiers told horrific stories of their loved ones. “…I wanted to get up and leave…the video will affect me the whole day,” said Holly Dagres, 22, political science major. “Our main goal was to have the voices heard from those who were silent,” said Sally Marr, one of the producers and artists of the film.Also in attendance was Peter Dudar, the other producer and artist of the film; and a former Iraqi soldier, Agustin Aguayo, who refused to fight in the war and served seven months in prison for his refusal.”Sicko” was the most recent film, directed and produced by Academy Award-winner Michael Moore. The movie goes in-depth about health care and health insurance system in America, as opposed to the free health care given to its citizens from countries like Canada, France and Cuba. “This is his own form of propaganda, but ultimately has some good points and creates dialogue between people,” said Krystle Leto, 21, Latin American major. After the panel discussion, student awards were given out for photography and a short essay, followed by a wrap-up party on the Performing Arts Building balcony. “The turnout was great,” said Sylvia Silva, Diversity Committee Chair. The entire festival had over 500 students and next year will be at the Student Community Center.”
