Screening and Discussion: Bloodlines

Professor Eugene Martin offered a viewing and discussion of his film, Bloodlines. The film explores the intersections of family, schools, violence, media, and the community as they affect the lives of young teens in Philadelphia.  Over the period of one school year (2005-2006), two Philadelphia children ages 13 and 14 years old, Ebony Graves and Dennis Midiri of Philadelphia, were given video cameras to record their lives. Both a visual essay and personal diary, the children directed their segments of the film.  Ebony lives in North Philadelphia and attended St. Malachy School; Dennis lives in Kensington and attended Community Education Partners School.  Both are in 8th grade. The diaries created by Dennis and Ebony show us the obstacles they and other children face in urban American schools and cities today.