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To Touch the Soul

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To Touch the Soul
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRyan Goble
Screenplay byRyan Goble
Erin Henning
Story byTeresa Hagen
Produced byTeresa Hagen
Co-producers:
Ryan Goble
Erin Henning
StarringCarlos Silveira
Narrated byCassandra Hepburn
CinematographyErin Henning
Edited byRyan Goble
Music byMartin Herman
Distributed byCut Loose Productions
Release date
  • October 11, 2007 (2007-10-11) (La Femme Film Festival)
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

To Touch the Soul is a 2007 documentary film directed by Ryan Goble and produced by Teresa Hagen. The film was written by Goble and Erin Henning, from a story by Hagen. The documentary is narrated by Cassandra Hepburn.[1]

Synopsis

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To Touch the Soul follows California State University, Long Beach Professor Carlos Silveira, a Brazilian-born artist educator and social activist, who recruits 27 American university students to join him in a pilot program that uses art to help impoverished Cambodian children affected by HIV/AIDS express their wishes and desires for their futures. As Carlos and the students grapple with the realities of a culture much different from their own, a language they don't understand, art projects that don't go as planned and a three-week deadline, they form a bond with the children. Through these young Cambodian mentors—all of them abandoned by society—the Americans empower their own social activism and learn the true meaning of kindness, selflessness, courage and community.

Interviews

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  • Carlos Silveira
  • Saneya Bair
  • Heather Hamilton
  • John Lachey
  • Amanda Mithers
  • Saveun Nhim
  • Casey Quirarte
  • John Tucker
  • Sundy Ven
  • Cassandra Hepburn (Narrator)

Background

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The story is told from Carlos’ and six of his students’ perspectives through a mix of spoken (voice-over) diary entries, interviews and interaction with the children as they create art projects together, and shows that even the smallest attempt at making a difference can have life-changing consequences for all the people involved. The film also highlights the growing problem of the 77,000 children in Cambodia who have become orphans due to their parents dying from AIDS, a population expected to grow to 108,700 over the next five years.[2][3][4]

Filming locations

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Filming locations include: Long Beach, California and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Film festivals

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Awards

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Wins

  • Accolade Competition: Best of Show, Videography, 2007; Honorable Mention, Motivational/Inspirational Category, 2007.
  • Wild Rose Independent Film Festival: Best Documentary Film, 2007; Certificate of Distinctive Achievement - Director of a Feature Film (Ryan Goble), 2007; Debut Film Certificate of Distinctive Achievement, 2007.
  • Myrtle Beach International Film Festival: Honorable Mention, 2007.
  • Byron Bay (Australia) Film Festival: Honorable Mention, 2008.
  • San Joaquin Film Festival: Best Documentary, 2008.
  • Southern Winds Film Festival: Best Feature Documentary, 2009.

References

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  1. ^ To Touch the Soul at IMDb.
  2. ^ "To Touch the Soul". Cambodia Film Commission. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  3. ^ "CSULB professor discovers art heals". Press Telegram. 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  4. ^ ""To Touch the Soul" About Art and AIDS in Cambodia to Screen at October 2007 LA Femme Film Festival". PR.com. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
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