Providence, RI -- ”Accelerating
America,” a documentary featuring the Urban Collaborative
Accelerated Program (UCAP) a middle school, based in
Providence, Rhode Island, has been accepted by the
prestigious Seattle International Film Festival for its
world premiere on June 13. The Festival has been cited by
the New York Times, Variety, Film Comment, and USA Today as
one of the top five festivals in North America and is widely
considered one of the most popular audience festivals in the
world.
The documentary, by filmmaker Timothy
Hotchner, follows three UCAP students as they strive to
overcome abandonment, poverty, and previous educational
failure. Each has been “held back” in school for at least
one year before enrolling in UCAP.
Fourteen year old America (whose name
was the inspiration for the film’s title) was placed in
foster care after her allegations of sexual abuse against
her brother. Her family returned to the Dominican Republic
without a word to her. She learned of their disappearance
from a friend.
Jason’s father moved away and refused to
give his son his phone number. His prior school experience
was of teachers ignoring him or worse - telling him he could
not succeed.
Two of Yasmine’s brothers have been in
and out of the justice system and a third dropped out of
school - she has never met her father.
Hotchner gained the trust of these
students over many months. He was allowed to enter both
their school and home lives as they struggled to integrate
these two very different worlds in which they live.
A public – but independent -- middle
school, UCAP is the only school in the nation that gives
students who are otherwise likely to quit school the chance
to complete three years of study in two by dramatically
improving their academic and social skills. The film depicts
an unusually dedicated teaching staff and a non-traditional
learning environment that includes efforts to engage
families in their children’s education.
Hotchner also captures the fierce
passion and determination of Robert DeBlois, UCAP’s founder
and director, to help children he considers less fortunate
than himself. DeBlois actively runs the school despite his
physical limitations as a quadriplegic - the result of a
diving accident while in college.
Hotchner became involved in the school
as a volunteer while he was a student at Brown University.
“Accelerating America” is his first feature documentary.
DeBlois and Hotchner will attend the premiere in Seattle on
June 13 to discuss the film.
The Seattle International Film Festival
takes place May 22 through June 15 in Seattle Washington
with more than 400 feature, documentary, and short films,
honored guests, special events, forums, and panel
discussions.
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