Survivors' Truths: Trying to be All Right in Liberia
A reprise of Dove Pessnall's multi-media documentary project at the Courtyard Studio & Arts this Friday, June 5 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
This special showing and reception, which is free to the public, gives Angelinos an opportunity to view this powerful exhibit and to generate support for taking the project back to Liberia.
Pressnall is currently pursuing opportunities to produce similar projects with other populations affected by war and broad human rights violations in Sri Lanka, El Salvador, and Papua New Guinea. However, the next step is to put “Survivors’ Truths: Trying to be all right in Liberia” into an easily-distributed format and take it back to Liberia. The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which is charged with documenting and developing a coherent account of the many atrocities committed during the wars there, recently presented it’s findings to their Parliament. Pressnall sees the Survivors’ Truths project as another component of the national narrative. 
“My intention in doing this project was two-fold: to raise awareness about the impact of war outside of Liberia and to give these stories back to the people of Liberia.”
“So often, coverage of conflicts portrays people as passive victims. A project like Survivors’ Truths gives a face to the issues in what I see as a more respectful way, one that acknowledges the local knowledge and incredible will that allows people to survive and that makes inaction by the rest of the world simply unacceptable.”
The multi-media installation, which is sponsored by Hope Media Productions, includes photos, interview transcripts and synopses, and a slideshow video with interviews and music.
More information about Survivors’ Truths is available at www.survivorstruths.org.