FROM MY MOUTH TO GOD'S EARS

May 23, 2002

This is the first newsletter. It's long overdue (even if there's no one out there that reads these things).
To begin with let me set one thing straight. There have been rumors that Gabriel Films is disappearing. I assure you that the announcement of our demise is, indeed, premature. In fact...
We have just recently celebrated our 10th anniversary and while, like so many others, we have been through hard times and are still going through them, we are alive and well and continually committed to making new and interesting work.
To begin, Randall Scerb's INSHALLAH: DIARY OF AN AFGHAN WOMAN recently premiered on Oxygen. It also was shown at the Museum of Broadcasting, as well as at the Double Take Documentary Film Festival in North Carolina. As well Randall and myself, the "star" Suraya Sadeed was present for q & a.
The story follows Ms. Sadeed, an Afghan American, as she returns home to Afghanistan bringing aid to her people. We filmed the first trip in June of 2001 and returned after 9-11 for the second shoot. Suraya is a truly extraordinary person who puts aside all fear to make a positive difference in the lives of thousands. (http://www.HelpTheAfghanChildren.org)
Almost as impressive was Randall's own courage in the making of her first documentary. It was a study in perseverance and determination. Despite the suggestion by many (myself included) that she learn the craft of filmmaking in a location that was less dangerous, she managed to complete her mission against tremendous odds.
And the timing was perfect, for not only was it an important cause, it helped us get through the dark days of September by providing a way of responding to the horrors of 9-11.
There was irony in this period as well.
For the past three years, I have worked hand in fist with Jon Osman on his powerful film, JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE. The film follows one woman, Margarita Rosario, as she seeks answers to the shooting death by two cops of her son and nephew. We witness her transformation from housewife to activist as details of a cover up emerge.
It is a completely independent piece of work and as such we have struggled to get it finished as there are always bits and pieces that can make it a bit better (and of course no money and no deadline). Finally we had a screening set for September.
And then the city was plunged in violence and it was impossible and wrong to show a film that was negative about two police officers, implicated the anointed Mayor Giuliani and celebrates Margarita's victory at a congressional hearing on police brutality at the World Trade Center. As I was calling to cancel our premiere, I remembered that Jon Osman was born and raised in Afghanistan.
Yet, life does go on and what happened to Margarita and her family needs investigating, for it is was not an isolated incident, but part of pattern of excessive policing that marked a significant period of time during Giuliani's term as Mayor. So, we are fortunate to announce that the film is premiering at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival on June 18, 19 and 21st. (http://www.hrw.org/iff/2002/ny/schedule.html).
It has also been bought by Channel Four in England and Israeli t.v. Eventually, I hope, it will find a home with an American outlet as well.
Of course, there's much more, but that's for a later date.
I'm just getting warmed up. The most important thing (for those who read to the end) is that we want your address so we can keep you informed of screenings, projects, broadcast dates and more.