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a
film and video production company located in the New York City metropolitan
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A
Ryoya Terao Film On-line
Editor Carrie Goldman Go Achilles!
examines the challenge of limitations in life and the potential of achieving
what is thought to be impossible - through the eyes of disabled athletes.
Go Achilles! portrays the first Achilles Marathon, which was the very
first marathon for charities in New York . It was also the first sports
event to be organized by the disabled which welcomed both the disabled
and the able-bodied athletes. The central character
is Dick Traum, who was the first amputee (right leg) to run a marathon
in 1976. In order to encourage other people with disabilities to participate
in sports events, Traum formed the legendary Achilles Track Club in
New York in 1983. Today, Achilles is a world-wide organization with
over 100 chapters in 63 countries. In the last '90s, Achilles had the
dream of creating a charitable marathon; it took two years to realize
it. In addition to Dick
Traum, Go Achilles! features several other inspiring disabled
athletes from around the globe: Budha and Tempa arrived in New York
from Bhutan (a country in the Himalayas) and they became the first athletes
to participate in a sport event in the US from their country. Miro is
18 years old from Bosnia. When he was 13, he lost both legs to a landmine
explosion. Regardless this tragic event at his young age, he possesses
great enthusiasm towards life and sports. The first Achilles
Marathon took place in Prospect Park, Brooklyn and raised nearly $125,000.
The goal is eventually to catch up with the London Marathon which raises
$40 million for charities. At the end of the film, we witness Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani honoring winners of the marathon and commending this
charitable event. Traum says that five years from now, we'll know whether
the idea failed or whether it succeeded and the Achilles Marathon might
have become one of the finest marathons in the world. Broadcasting
Date: April 26th, Saturday, 2:30 pm, 2003, WNET Channel 13
For information about The Achilles Track Club: www.achillestrackclub.org
The
Healing Warrior The
Healing Warrior paints a portrait of a 60-year old Japanese man
who moved to the U.S. as an Olympic coach nearly two decades ago and,
since then, has become a master healer. Katsumi Niikura, known as sensei
(meaning the master or the teacher in Japanese), holds
two international karate championship titles and multiple upper-degree
black belts in various martial arts. His most unique ability, however,
is his extraordinary control of Ki (Qi in Chinese), the
energy that exists around us as well as within all beings. Through fascinating
footage of Ki-demonstrations and healing treatments as well as interviews
and presentations of this ancient healing technique, we witness the
power of Ki and the devoted work of a mature Ki-master in The Healing
Warrior. The film conveys mystery of life, hope, and the importance
of service to others through the eyes of a master healer. For information about the Ki healing sessions and classes: www.ryokukai.com
Unheard Voices: Japan's Indigenous People Unheard Voices
portrays the painful plight of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan.
Centuries of persecution by the Japanese government have left them almost
forgotten. Rarely heard in the media, the Ainu's own voices will finally
be heard in this film. The viewing public will hear the Ainu point of
view and, we hope to intervene to preserve the language and culture
of this unique people. Yasuko Yamamichi is really Ashiri Rera (which means "New Wind" in Ainu). She alone preserves her culture. An outspoken activist, she has "adopted" about 20 children in Nibutani, Hokkaido-the Ainu's cultural village. She founded the Yamamichi Ainu Language and Cultural School, the only one in the world. These children learn the Ainu's traditional way of life, their language, and their music. In the early 90's, Ashiri Rera recruited from across the nation, teenagers just did not fit into the standard Japanese schools. Along with Ainu villagers, these youngsters are practicing a simple life of harmony with nature. "Life is precious, and we must share joy with others and with nature" she says, an important element of Ainu beliefs. In her nurturing environment, they all call her "mother" and together, they keep the fire of the culture alive. They perform Ainu dances and songs in public so that to the outside world, theirs will no longer be unheard voices.
Sled
Dog Dreams Gregg and Gretchen
Dubit started adopting some varieties of local pound dogs 10 years ago.
Gradually, they formed teams of sled-dogs. They now own 23 dogs at their
dog ranch and give tours to people in the San Juan National Forest where
there is no car access. They have also participated in some short races
and have been qualified for the Iditarod 2002 in Alaska, one of the
toughest races in the world. They plan to run a part of the race with
a wheelchaired athlete to broaden public awareness of the capability
of the disabled. They treat their
dogs in a humane fashion and enjoy mushing without forcing the dogs
to run. As former school teachers, they have also dealt with youth from
troubled families. They invited one of their students, a 17 year-old
homeless-boy (whose parents deserted him), to their house a year ago.
They have been living together since then. As educators, they visit
local schools with their dogs to communicate with children. During the
TV production, they visited two schools, and one of them was located
in a Native American reservation where pets are often neglected. The
couple pursue their dreams to mush, and at the same time, are reaching
out to their community.
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Go
Achilles!
