Filmmakers Dialogue with D.C. Students During 35th DC International Filmfest
Teaching for Change partnered with Filmfest DC: The Washington, DC International Film Festival for a tenth year to spread the word about the international film festival and to bring filmmakers for some of the films into D.C. classrooms in June 2021.
Students learned about filmmaking and social justice issues from viewing the films and discussions with the filmmakers. (Read about prior year visits.)
Go-Go City: Displacement & Protest in Washington, DC at D.C. International PCS
On June 7, Samuel George joined the eighth grade ELA classrooms of Yolanda Whitted and Elena Ross for five virtual class periods to answer their questions about his film, Go-Go City: Displacement & Protest in Washington, D.C.
Students wanted to know what led George to make the documentary. He explained that when he moved to the city in 2010, he wondered where the “real” D.C. was. He saw areas full of new buildings that felt “taped over” the city. Through a chance encounter one evening after his own rock band had finished playing a show, he heard a go-go band playing at a bar next door. George began going to see go-go every week and developed relationships with musicians, including E.U.’s Sugar Bear. He knew that he wanted to make a documentary about go-go that went beyond the music; that delved into the gentrification he noticed as a newcomer to the city.
In January 2020, George began filming Go-Go City, documenting the last days of Horace and Dickies seafood takeout on H Street NE, as longtime customers had moved out of the neighborhood. He explained that filming stopped for several months at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, but that he began filming again when go-go music became an essential part of the Black Lives Matter protests in D.C. during the summer.
People realized the power of go-go. It became a catalyst to bring people onto the streets.
A student asked if there was anything he wanted to cover in the film but could not, and he responded that he wanted to include more about affordable housing in the film. Covering the Black Lives Matter protests was not in the original plan for the documentary, and he hopes to use footage he filmed about Barry Farms redevelopment in a later project.
In response to a student who asked if he had an audience in mind when he made the film, George replied that he hoped that gentrifiers would watch it and become more curious about the city they live in. He encouraged the students to “listen to go-go. Go to the restaurants that have been around 40 years. You’re doing yourself a favor because you’re going to like it.”
George said the film has gotten the most positive response in D.C., and has resonated most strongly with the community that the film is about.
Students got a lot out of the visit. Here are just a few of their comments:
I have lived in DC for my entire life and had never really paid attention to gentrification. Your documentary opened my eyes to a very important issue that I hope to learn more about. I really appreciated your answer to the question, “What can we do?” As a white person who lives in D.C., I was very interested in the answer to the question. — Gabriela S.
I really liked when you listed go-go artists. I have a couple written down that I might like to listen to, whenever I escape my love for K-Pop. — Sasha K.
The film inspired me to educate myself about the history of D.C. and do a lot more research on this topic and how it impacts families here and in other cities. I want to know what the average Washingtonian (or even student) can do to help stop the effects of gentrification and protect cultures that have been such an integral part of the city. During the discussion you mentioned that your job as a documentary filmmaker was not to place yourself in the middle of these issues and suggest your own solutions, but to give a platform for the people with real solutions to tell their stories and share them with a much larger audience. This was very inspiring because I think it is exactly the perspective everyone should have when approaching issues that they have not personally experienced. — Astrid D.
Seeing that I could possibly make my own documentary, maybe even about my own city, gave me a lot of hope. — Nina L.
Something that I have noticed is that many Black voices aren't heard. Most films are about the capital, or the big white businesses downtown, and they never tap into the roots of D.C. I really enjoyed your film because you gave the mic to black voices. This was such a powerful message to me and the other Black students in the classroom. — Sesina H.
Students at several other schools were also able to see Go-Go City, including Stephanie Beers’ classroom at Roosevelt HS (DCPS), Shelina Warren’s classroom at Dunbar HS (DCPS), and Beth Sewell’s classroom at Coolidge HS (DCPS). Sewell’s classroom also took part in Teaching for Change’s Teach the Beat program and was visited by legendary drummer William “Ju Ju” House.
Tikkun Olam at Cardozo HS International Academy
Tikkun Olam director Bob Ahmed joined students from Beth Barkley and Olivia Dougherty’s ELA classrooms at the Cardozo HS (DCPS) International Academy for two virtual class periods on June 11. Students at the academy are English language learners and newcomers to the United States from all over the world.
Ahmed began the visits by talking about how he got into filmmaking and how he got the idea for his film. He explained that he studied economics in college and development economics in graduate school, but he had an interest in film. He sent away for a brochure for the New York Film Academy, which did not require any prior experience in filmmaking to apply. About a year later, he decided that it was a passion he needed to pursue, and he applied and attended the school.
After filmmaking school, Ahmed worked for an international organization in D.C. He saw homeless people on the street on his way into work every day, but his mind was preoccupied with things like his meetings and getting a promotion. One day, he got a call from his brother that he had seen a homeless man collapse on a D.C. sidewalk and everyone had just passed him by. His brother called 911. “I realized I was becoming just like those people who don’t do anything,” said Ahmed. “I need to make a film.”
Students had many questions for Ahmed, from whether he spoke any languages other than English (he speaks Urdo and Pashto) to questions about how to choose a career and how to end homelessness.
Leuel from Ethiopia wanted to know what he could do to help stop homelessness, both in Ethiopia and in D.C. Ahmed encouraged the students that just recognizing that something is wrong and asking the questions about “what can we do?” is an important step. Most people just look away. The solutions are complex, but a small change can make a big difference.
Oumar from Mauritania and Jostin from Honduras asked for advice about how to decide what to study in college. Ahmed advised that students should think about what they like to do. They should also speak to people who have jobs in the fields they are thinking about and try different things. Whatever you study will give depth to whatever comes later.
The students were excited to hear about Ahmed’s plan for a film he is currently working on. His next film will be about a young boy from the Shaw neighborhood of D.C. His father dies, and as he loses some control of his life, an uncle from West Virginia becomes a positive influence on him. Barkley and Dougherty shared that they were very excited to share the new film with students, as it fits into their unit on Changemakers.
Here are just a few of the words of thanks students shared after the visit:
I learned with your film that you always have to be kind and always try to help.
What I learned from that movie is that we all are somehow a character in someone’s life and that we shouldn't be afraid to ask someone if it is ok or if they need help. Thank you Mr. Bob Ahmed.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I learned that I should always do what my heart tells me to do.
Thank you, Mr. Ahmed, for all your advice and helping us to open our eyes. Wish you good luck for your next projects.