Press

The goal of the Bending the Arc project is to promote racial justice and human rights through filmmaking and storytelling. We are encouraged and inspired that the films are having an impact on people today. Read through the latest reviews and articles to see what people are saying about the films.

Amazingly beautiful, hard, strong, inspiring film! I was really moved emotionally and learned so much I did not know.

review from Birmingham, Alabama

Amazingly beautiful, hard, strong, inspiring film! I was really moved emotionally and learned so much I did not know.

review from Birmingham, Alabama

Press Articles

Reviews

Press Articles

Bending the Arc documentarian Pam Powell on the path to awareness through storytelling

by Heather Gann / al.com

Pam Powell and her team premiered Origins, the first film of the Bending the Arc documentary series. This film will discuss the origins of racism in Alabama as part of the larger series that aims to dissect the total history of racism in the state through the lens of black storytellers and white allies.

Docu-series tells stories from Alabama’s past to forge a better future

by Haley Herfurth / UAB Reporter

Retired and current UAB employees are collaborating on a new documentary series, “Bending the Arc,” that explores the long struggle against racism in Alabama. The first installment was released in October and can been seen in its entirety on YouTube.

Reviews

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It is a tour de force and makes the voting struggle come back to life. Thank you, thank you. There were many details I was not aware of and it certainly brought home that racism hurts all of us, not just the target group.

PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS

Such important work and so timely and needed.

BOULDER, COLORADO

Congratulations and thank you for this powerful work…I am writing because I wish to arrange for my students to see this film. I want them to see how the practice of photography is interwoven with the efforts for peace and justice. I am giving them a view of significant films that teach them their own history of Southernness.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Very worth watching. I knew most of the events from my teaching, but the documentary filled in rich details. The fact that only 300 were finally allowed to march, the work of the Unitarian Church, the interviews with Viola Liuzzo’s children. Thanks much!

ZIMMERMAN, MINNESOTA

What a strong, moving documentary. Brought me to tears more than once - what strength and bravery shown by people as young as 11 and 15. Thanks for reminding me what a comfortable life I have lived, and what risks and sacrifices people with real guts have made. I’m very worried that we are losing ground on the progress which you record.

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

This was so incredibly powerful! I thought I knew the story of Selma, but there was a lot I didn’t know. Thanks to all the foot soldiers who told their stories, and to Pam Powell and David Brower. Thank you for making this film. I look forward to the rest in the series!

BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY

I watched this wonderful documentary in October and was so pleased to be reminded of all the good people in this world.

HARTLAND, WISCONSIN

Even as a history/government teacher, who has read a great deal about that time period, and especially about civil rights, I learned from and was moved by the program.

ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA

I’m writing to say how much I enjoyed the premiere of the film on voting. It was a delight to see some people I know, and the story is well inspirational. It was great to hear voices of the people most affected and to learn about the activism among Unitarians.

WASHINGTON DC

Excellent job. Ken Burns could not have done a better job. The content was powerful because the people were powerful. The film could have been further subtitled "Profiles of Courage."

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

I grew up in a congregation whose minister had attended this and so I knew the story on a general level, but it is so very meaningful and moving to hear people’s own voices telling about it. Thank you to everyone who was part of this project!

PENNSYLVANIA

Powell did a wonderful job of outlining the interactions between the big shots and the grassroots marchers and organizers in a way that made it difficult to separate leaders and followers...The film transformed people who had heretofore been portrayed reverentially as distant martyrs into real people with lives and families, but also with convictions, who I believe would have much preferred to work silently, anonymously for social justice, and to see their children grow up.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

I just watched "Bending the Arc: The Vote" beginning to end. I’m blown away. What a powerful, powerful documentary. As much as I’ve admired works like Eyes on the Prize, this does personal things the others don’t do. Just very moving. And such great interviewees. All the subtle touches like the transitions and the soundtrack are so perfect too. And closing it with Viola Liuzzo. I didn’t know she was a Unitarian. But then of course she was.

DANVILLE, KENTUCKY

Wow! We just watched "Bending the Arc: The Vote" and were blown away by it. Congratulations on this beautiful labor of love! This should have a national airing on PBS. It’s so very moving and brings back so many memories both painful and joyous. Thank you for bringing history to such vivid life.

BOSTON, MASSACHSETTS

Wow, (we) just watched "Bending the Arc: The Vote." Wow and excellent and amazing. Thank you for bringing passion, vision, and clarity to this project!!! I am excited to read of more films in the works.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI

First-hand accounts of the culture of segregation in Birmingham in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s

Voices

Press

Amazingly beautiful, hard, strong, inspiring film! I was really moved emotionally and learned so much I did not know.

Amazingly beautiful, hard, strong, inspiring film! I was really moved emotionally and learned so much I did not know.

Press Articles

Bending the Arc documentarian Pam Powell on the path to awareness through storytelling

Docu-series tells stories from Alabama’s past to forge a better future

Reviews

add your review to the list

First-hand accounts of the culture of segregation in Birmingham in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s

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