Opera Hall hosts documentary screening Saturday

Opera Hall to host documentary

The CREATE Project will present the “Tradition, Trauma, & Tenderness” premiere at The Historic Lewiston Opera Hall, 732 Center St. at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

Admission is $5 and includes a screening of the 90 minute film. Executive Producer and Co-Director Valerie Walawender will be available for questions after the film.

Western New York residents from diverse cultures and backgrounds have come together to help create this ground-breaking documentary. Illustrated by images, music, and reflections, individuals and groups display their cultural heritage in dance, song, and artifacts.

The film is co-directed by Walawender and cinematographer Alex Simmons (also responsible for primary videography, narration, sound, and editing), the documentary explores traditions and the universal experience of trauma felt by people and cultures from across the globe.

Everyday moments and heart-warming traditions fly across the screen. Images of natural disasters, abuse, disease, genocide, slavery, poverty, and war are also shown. A major underlying theme of the film is the idea that trauma is a universal experience. It is important to recognize that everyone is affected by various forms of trauma in their personal or collective history. Local people and contemporary events as well as people from a wide variety of historical circumstances are depicted.

But the story does not stop there.

Individuals share how their close family connections, community support, and traditions help them survive and carry on in a spirit of hope.

Renowned psychologist Darryl Tonemah, Ph.D. and celebrated neuroscientist Audrey Hager, Ph.D., explain how the passing on of traditions in tender, nurturing environments can contribute to individual healing and the prevention of trauma.

This project was funded by Arts Services, Inc. and Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The CREATE Project board of directors gratefully acknowledges a multitude of volunteers, agencies, and others who contributed to the making of this film, including The City of Dunkirk, Faithkeepers Montessori Language Nest, Warrior Flight Team, Clymer Central School, Native American Consortium, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Health Tapestry Program, Lori DeCarlo (Restorative Circles), Dunkirk Public Library, and others.

For more information and to see a trailer of the film, visit: https://create-project.com/

Questions and comments can be sent to the CREATE Project email:

createprojectny@gmail.com OR (716)680-0266