Thursday October 29, 2009 | 7:00 PM
Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Canadian premiere
For Avery Klein-Cloud, the African-American daughter of white Jewish
lesbians, growing up in an unconventional family poses a unique set of
challenges and joys. Her younger brother Zay-Zay is Korean, and her older
brother Rafi is mixed-race. In Avery's words, the Klein-Clouds are “A
United Nations family.” Avery is also a hugely successful track star, with
a shot a college scholarship. But when she decides to contact her birth
mother, her actions have profound ramifications for the entire family.
Three years in the making, during which Avery’s life took tumultuous twists and turns, director Nicole Opper’s debut feature is a remarkable melting pot of issues including same-sex marriage, mixed-race adoption, Jewish identity, African-American culture, and sports, in this case, running.
As Avery attempts to navigate her way through the difficult terrain of
teenage life, the track provides a solid touchstone, a place of strength,
grace and self-reliance. But when she loses even this one constant,
Avery’s young life threatens to spiral out of control.
The first film in DOXA’s series, Off and Running is not just a simple take
on physical activity, but a deeply thoughtful look at how the body —
skin, hair, muscle and bone — inform an entire life. The film intelligently
explores not just the idea of a constructed family, but more critically,
that of identity. For a young woman of colour, growing up in Obama’s
America, race relations continue to be a deeply divisive and painful area.
Opper’s film offers no clear resolutions to this debate, but speaks
clearly to the necessity of courage, love, and patience in finding a path
to understanding. Like the practice of running, growing up takes
dedication, hard work and a great deal of heart.
Winner - OUTFEST, Jury Prize for Outstanding Documentary
Winner - Philadelphia’s Q Fest, Jury Prize for Best Documentary
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