WorldScene Film Festival

Soul-Searching Cinema

Veterans curate eight short films from six countries that inspire us to Understand the Truth.

Understand the Truth

Curated by Veterans at Cook County Jail in Chicago, this powerful group of eight films from six countries inspire us to look more deeply at our world and ourselves. From ice hockey to family dynamics, from innovative art to new visions of courage, each film helps us uncover hidden truths that lead to understanding our own strengths, failures and humanity.

You’ll fall in love with Colman Domingo’s tender portrait of his mother’s optimism and hope (New Moon, USA) and marvel at the vibrant artistic vision of Roger J. Carter (RJC: Rebel Revolutionary, USA). Then cheer for Stephanie, as she challenges airport regulations to help a bereaved passenger board a flight (Au Sol, France). Featuring four Chicago premieres, the complete line-up of film includes: How Long, Not Long (Denmark), Paris 70 (Spain), New Moon (USA), I Am Sami (Kurdistan, USA), Grab My Hand: A Letter to My Dad (USA), Ice Breakers (Canada), Roger J. Carter: Rebel Revolutionary (USA), Au Sol (France).

Screening Schedule for Understand the Truth

Monday, Nov. 16 at Div. 11, Cook County Jail.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Div. 6, Mental Health Transition Center, Cook County Jail,

2700 S. Sacramento, Chicago, IL

Both screenings will be followed by director Q&A.

The Films

How Long, Not Long

Denmark, 2016, 5 min.

Dir: Uri Kranot, Michelle Kranot

A powerful visual journey to unmask xenophobia and bias, built around Martin Luther King Jr.’s, famous words. In English.

Paris 70

Spain, 2015, 15 min.

Dir: Dani Feixas Roca

A son tenderly cares for his aging mother who can’t remember the passing of his father. In Catalan with English subtitles.

New Moon

U.S.A., France, 2022, 12 min.

Dir: Raúl Domingo

In an imaginative, tender animated journey, Colman Domingo reflects on his mother and childhood in inner city West Philadelphia. In English.

I am Sami

Kurdistan, UK, 2014, 15 min.

Dir: Karzan Sherabayani

Living in a war zone, 10-year old-Sami is forced to make decisions beyond his understanding. In English.

Grab My Hand – A Letter to My Dad

U.S.A., 2019, 5 min.

Dir: Camrus Johnson

A heartfelt retelling of a man’s relationship with his father that inspires us to cherish the moments we have with the ones we love. In English.

Icebreakers

Canada, 2019 15 min.

Dir: Sandi Rankaduwa

This short documentary follows Josh Crooks, an Afro-Canadian hockey player, and the history of the black ice hockey leagues that didn’t receive the recognition they deserved. In English.

Roger J. Carter: Rebel Revolutionary

U.S.A., 2023, 6 min.

Dir: Justin Fairweather

Follow Chicago artist Roger J. Carter as he creates complex portraits of black revolutionaries using hundreds of toy soldiers on canvas. In English.

Au Sol

France, 2014, 19 min.

Dir: Alexis Michalik

Evelyne has to fly to London unexpectedly for a funeral. But, as she is about to embark, she can’t find her newborn baby’s ID. This is the beginning of a long day’s struggle, against the unbending rules of bureaucracy. In French with English subtitles.