San Luis Obispo International Film Festival 2009

After seeing the powerful and outstanding documentary ANGELS IN THE DUST and Q&A two times at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival last year, a small group of film festers (all complete strangers) spontaneously got together after the screening when one inspired pass holder, Dr. Gloria Kaye, announced she had a sign up sheet to work with Louise Hogarth to organize more screenings throughout the Santa Barbara area; sell Ubunto Orphan Bracelets; and raise funds for orphanages throughout Africa. This is the kind of hands-on global community activism and positive social change that Louise Hogarth inspires in her film ANGELS IN THE DUST. The family Cloete abandon their comfortable lives in Johannesburg to "adopt" the hundreds of village orphans and children suffering with HIV/AIDS and educate them to learn self-preservation, life with dignity, unconditional love, healing, and joy. Despite the tragic pandemic where children and families attend weekly (or daily) burials of family members in the village, Hogarth is able to focus on the positive aspect of nurturing, loving, and caring human relationships of the "angels" in the village and school of Botshabelo. These remarkable children and their adoptive family unveil their personal and community struggles to educate us to the complex contemporary issues of post apartheid South Africa. The storyteller/filmmaker Hogarth from Alaska and LA brings her lens of truth-telling to the country she has adopted as a resident. Don't miss the opportunity to see this film, engage in the nowness of positive social change with Hogarth, and take part in her film. Check out the trailer and websites at www.youtube.com; www.dolfilms.org; and DoActNow.org.