Filmmaker Andrew Berends appeared multiple times on the IFC Center stage for the screening series Stranger Than Fiction (now called Pure Nonfiction). His films as a director include THE BLOOD OF MY BROTHER documenting life in Iraq under U.S. occupation; DELTA BOYS about militants in Nigeria’s oil conflict (which landed him briefly in Nigerian jail); and MADINA’S DREAM about refugees in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains. He also served as a camera person on other projects including the Oscar-winning FREE SOLO. In March 2019, he took his own life at the age 46, after bouts of depression and being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The news brought an outpouring of testimonials from his admirers. This tribute brings together his friends and colleagues to share clips from his films and stories from his life. Donations from this event where used to launch The Andrew Berends Film Fellowship, to support independent filmmakers.
With: Thom Powers, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Dr. Isabella Alexander, Aaron Soffin, Mike Liss, Jason Gardner, Philip Robertson, Doug Block, Thomas Lennon and others.
This evening was co-sponsored by the Fulbright Film Series.
http://www.ifccenter.com/series/purenonfiction/
https://www.fulbrightny.org/
https://www.d-word.com/