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Scared Sacred: Unwrap the Darkness. Reveal the Light cover image

Scared Sacred: Unwrap the Darkness. Reveal the Light 2005

Highly Recommended

Distributed by National Film Board of Canada, 1123 Broadway, Suite 307, New York, NY 10010; 800-542-2164
Produced by Tracey Freisen and Cari Green
Directed by Velcrow Ripper
VHS , color, 105 min.



Sr. High - Adult
Human Rights

Date Entered: 03/16/2006

Reviewed by LaRoi Lawton, Library & Learning Resources Department, Bronx Community College of the City University of New York

Of course there can be no such thing as a literal letter from ground zero--neither from the ground zeros of September 11 nor from the potential nuclear ground zero that is the origin of the expression. There are no letters from the beyond. (By now, "zero" has the double meaning of zero distance from the bombardier's assigned coordinates and the nothingness that's left when his work is done.) His current production, Scared Sacred takes the viewer into the world of “ground zeros- be it post-9/11 New York, Bosnia; Hiroshima, Israel and Palestine” during the course of a five year period. This is not a journey of darkness but one where the viewer, with the help of the film writer, draws inspiration from the many scenarios of showing resilience and renewal. One of the most moving scenes in the film is a statement by a Buddhist teacher with whom Mr. Ripper is speaking. His comment sums up this documentary in the following way:

“If ordinary human beings in the world can see their own suffering and feel their own vulnerability, then perhaps they can become aware of the vulnerability and suffering of others.”

Awards

  • Special Jury Prize, Toronto International Film Festival, 2004
  • Top Ten Films of 2004, Toronto International Film Festival Group, 2004
  • Best Film, New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival, 2004
  • Best of the Festival, Programmer’s Choice, Florida Film Festival 2005
  • Best Documentary, Whistler International Film Festival, 2004

    Part of the Fierce Love Trilogy with Fierce Light and Occupy Love.