The Human Experience
Encyclopedia
The Human Experience is a documentary film, produced by Grassroots Films
, which tells the story of Jeffrey Azize and his travels, as he searches for answers to the question: what does it mean to be human? The film is divided into the three experiences, which take Jeffrey and his friends to New York, to Peru, and to Ghana. The Human Experience is rated PG-13.
where the boys live with the homeless for a week in one of the coldest winters on record. The boys look for hope and camaraderie among their homeless companions, learning how to survive on the streets.
During their second experience, the brothers join a group of surfers from Surf For The Cause traveling to Peru
. There, they visit a hospital for abandoned children in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The boys are surprised to find joy among the children and their caretakers despite serious medical problems.
Throughout the story, the film features commentary from spiritual, artistic, and medical experts and philosophers, including Dr. William Hurlbut, M.D.
; Rabbi Simon Jacobson
; Dr. Alveda King
; and Rev. Richard Neuhaus.
Their final experience takes the brothers, along with their friends Michael Campo and Matthew Sanchez, to Africa. Michael is on his way to visit a leper colony in rural Ghana
. On their way to the colony, the boys meet victims of AIDS
and their families. Once they reach the leper colony
, they befriend disfigured lepers who have been exiled from their villages.
At the end of the film, the boys return to their life in New York with a changed outlook and insight into the human condition.
”. The first public pre-screening was held on January 26, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona
.
The Human Experience was theatrically released in select Harkins Theatres
in Arizona, Colorado, and Texas on April 9, 2010 in the midst of a world screening tour. The tour encompassed over 400 screenings in 15 countries across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia.
The film was released on DVD and V.O.D
. by distributor New Video’s DocuRama Films on March 29, 2011.
(2008). Harriet Yahr of indieWire
called it, "A doc with so much heart in the right place." Alicia Colon, writer for the Irish Examiner
and NYSUN.com of the described The Human Experience as, "Inspiring... an affirmation of what binds all of us around the world-our humanity."
The film has also been endorsed by several religious entities. The Archbishop of Denver
released a statement on his official website. "Grassroots Films has produced an astonishing witness to the beauty of the human person under the most trying conditions. For anyone committed to the cause of human dignity, or simply hungry to again see the beauty in life, it shouldn’t be missed." In June, the Archbishop of Krakow Poland sent an open letter to the producers of The Human Experience, which concluded with a hope that the film would "contribute to an ever deeper knowledge of the essence of human life and human dignity."
is featured in The Human Experience. The soundtrack, titled The Human Experience: Music from the Motion Picture was released on March 29, 2011.
Grassroots Films
Grassroots Films of Brooklyn, New York is an independent film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films. Its most recent title is " The Human Experience"-Overview:Grassroots Films Inc. is a production company based in Brooklyn, New York...
, which tells the story of Jeffrey Azize and his travels, as he searches for answers to the question: what does it mean to be human? The film is divided into the three experiences, which take Jeffrey and his friends to New York, to Peru, and to Ghana. The Human Experience is rated PG-13.
Production
The Human Experience is produced by Grassroots Films’ Joseph Campo, Clifford Azize and Michael Campo. The film is directed by Charles Kinnane.Plot
The first experience follows Jeffrey and his brother Clifford to the streets of New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where the boys live with the homeless for a week in one of the coldest winters on record. The boys look for hope and camaraderie among their homeless companions, learning how to survive on the streets.
During their second experience, the brothers join a group of surfers from Surf For The Cause traveling to Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. There, they visit a hospital for abandoned children in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The boys are surprised to find joy among the children and their caretakers despite serious medical problems.
Throughout the story, the film features commentary from spiritual, artistic, and medical experts and philosophers, including Dr. William Hurlbut, M.D.
William Hurlbut
William Hurlbut may refer to:* William B. Hurlbut, Consulting Professor in the Neuroscience Institute at Stanford University* William J. Hurlbut , screenplay writer for Bride of Frankenstein and other films...
; Rabbi Simon Jacobson
Simon Jacobson
Simon Jacobson is the author of Toward a Meaningful Life , founder of and publisher of the Yiddish English weekly, The Algemeiner Journal.-Life and career:...
; Dr. Alveda King
Alveda King
Alveda Celeste King is an American Christian minister, conservative, pro-life activist, and author. She is a niece of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and daughter of the late civil rights activist Rev. A. D. William King, Sr. and his wife Naomi Barber King...
; and Rev. Richard Neuhaus.
Their final experience takes the brothers, along with their friends Michael Campo and Matthew Sanchez, to Africa. Michael is on his way to visit a leper colony in rural Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. On their way to the colony, the boys meet victims of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
and their families. Once they reach the leper colony
Leper colony
A leper colony, leprosarium, or lazar house is a place to quarantine leprous people.-History:Leper colonies or houses became widespread in the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe and India, and often run by monastic orders...
, they befriend disfigured lepers who have been exiled from their villages.
At the end of the film, the boys return to their life in New York with a changed outlook and insight into the human condition.
Screenings and Releases
Pre-screenings of the film were held within the United States as well as internationally. The film was initially screened in “rough cutRough cut
In filmmaking, the rough cut is the second of three stages of offline editing. The rough cut is the first stage in which the film begins to resemble its final product...
”. The first public pre-screening was held on January 26, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
.
The Human Experience was theatrically released in select Harkins Theatres
Harkins Theatres
Harkins Theatres is a movie theater chain with locations throughout the Southwestern United States. Harkins Theatres is privately owned and operated by its parent company, Harkins Enterprises, LLC...
in Arizona, Colorado, and Texas on April 9, 2010 in the midst of a world screening tour. The tour encompassed over 400 screenings in 15 countries across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia.
The film was released on DVD and V.O.D
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
. by distributor New Video’s DocuRama Films on March 29, 2011.
Reception
The film was well-received at the Maui Film FestivalMaui Film Festival
The Maui Film Festival is a film festival held annually on the island of Maui, Hawaii.-External links:*...
(2008). Harriet Yahr of indieWire
IndieWire
indieWIRE is a daily news site for the independent film community. It covers indie, documentary and foreign language films, as well industry news, film festival reports, filmmaker interviews and movie reviews...
called it, "A doc with so much heart in the right place." Alicia Colon, writer for the Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner
The Irish Examiner, formerly The Cork Examiner and then The Examiner, is an Irish national daily newspaper which primarily circulates in the Munster region surrounding its base in Cork, though it is available throughout the country...
and NYSUN.com of the described The Human Experience as, "Inspiring... an affirmation of what binds all of us around the world-our humanity."
The film has also been endorsed by several religious entities. The Archbishop of Denver
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver
The Archdiocese of Denver is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for Denver, Colorado and the Colorado counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan and Weld in the northern part of the state. The Archdiocese's home is at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate...
released a statement on his official website. "Grassroots Films has produced an astonishing witness to the beauty of the human person under the most trying conditions. For anyone committed to the cause of human dignity, or simply hungry to again see the beauty in life, it shouldn’t be missed." In June, the Archbishop of Krakow Poland sent an open letter to the producers of The Human Experience, which concluded with a hope that the film would "contribute to an ever deeper knowledge of the essence of human life and human dignity."
Awards
The film has won many awards and festival accolades, including the Audience Choice Award at the American Cinematic Experience at Tribeca (2009 ACEfest) and Best Documentary at the Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival (2009 DocuFest Atlanta).Soundtrack
An original score composed by Thomas J. BergersenThomas J. Bergersen
Thomas J. Bergersen is the co-founder of a trailer music production company called Two Steps From Hell and has written music for several high profile trailers...
is featured in The Human Experience. The soundtrack, titled The Human Experience: Music from the Motion Picture was released on March 29, 2011.