PDA’s Story Ministry is working on a new documentary about gun violence
Rev. Dr. Brenda Smith, Presbyterian minister in Atlanta, during the interview at Ghost Ranch (Photo: Michelle Muñiz)
In his book “Fearless Dialogues”, Dr. Gregory C. Ellison II talks about how, when we gather around story to amplify and center voices, there are “undiscovered connections and purpose that lie dormant in the room”. When we gather to amplify and center voices, each one of us has a place in this movement and must listen with that level of intentionality, recognize the sacred space we have been invited into and are standing upon, and make a commitment to find our place in this movement. This is at the heart of Counter Stories Productions, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Story Ministry.
Last August, a film crew was invited do listening sessions and interviews at Ghost Ranch for a new documentary about gun violence prevention. Coming back to the conference center located in Abiquiu, New Mexico, was meaningful as it was the place where Rev. James Atwood approached David Barnhart about the need of a film about this topic. That conversation led to the production of ‘Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence’ in 2010.
During the conversations with leaders participating at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Care Conference (led by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship), the crew was able to record poignant stories about the intersectional work of gun violence prevention and action -through different denominations and/or organizations- across the continental U.S. From how lament, accompaniment and action can look like, to success stories and lessons learned.
Rosalind Hughes, Author and Episcopal Priest in Ohio (Photo: Michelle Muñiz)
Lisa Baker, member of PDA’s National Response Team, was part of the filming crew. “Ghost Ranch is beautiful and is truly a thin space on earth. In that beautiful and hallowed space, we heard stories of trauma and devastation coupled with hints of hope. The contrast though of the beauty and devastation is memorable. The filming process is painstaking because David doesn’t lead the participants to his preconceived story, instead the participants tell their story, and the story defines the film.”
“Our hope is to always decenter ourselves and nurture a co-creative process that evolves and grows inviting a widening circle of voices to the table. These documentaries are communal expressions that ‘speak truth to power’. Together we can amplify counter voices/stories that can challenge counter dominant narratives that say: ‘There is nothing we can do to prevent gun violence”, shared Barnhart, Producer of Counter Stories Productions. These interviews join the listening sessions and interview filming that has already taken place in Philadelphia, PA and Detroit, MI.
Miranda Viscoli, Co-President, New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence (Photo: Michelle Muñiz)
Throughout the co-creation of these documentaries, Counter Stories Productions maintains an ongoing cyclical dialogue with community partners to “reflect-back” the common themes and intersectional issues that we hear during all the conversations.
“We periodically edit film clips that represent the common patterns and share them with our partners for feedback. Once we have a rough cut of the documentary (and before is released to the public), the film is screened for our community partners for review and listening sessions for further direction. This entire process for each documentary is so much more time consuming and labor intensive, but it is essential in gathering the voices and community partners who need to be centered in these films/resources”, shared Barnhart.
Ghost Ranch filming crew (from left): Abigail Dunkor, Lisa Baker, David Barnhart, Michelle Muñiz, Scott Lansing
These documentaries serve as resources to bring light to relevant topics and provide a space for education, engagement and action. Alongside the project focused on gun violence, PDA’s Counter Stories Productions is also working on documentaries about Eviction & Homelessness, Environmental Racism, and the editing of the ‘Trouble the Water’ series for wide distribution.
To learn more about PDA’s Counter Stories Productions, its films and resources, including the links for Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence, visit our webpage or reach out to pda@pcusa.org for more information.