DC Premiere of "9500 Liberty" a Big Success

This interview was shot last night - following the premiere of Annabel Park's and Eric Byler's documentary, "9500 Liberty," on the Prince William County immigration issue - by the blog Carlos in DC. The film was shown in front of several hundred people - myself included - at the Landmark E Street Cinemas near Metro Center, as part of the 2009 DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival. Carlos in DC writes:

I spoke to several people who saw the film last night, and the overwhelming response was in support of the message this documentary film expresses, towards respecting human rights regardless of immigration status and stopping racism in all its forms.

Most people in the audience where Whites and Asians, and when I asked their opinions about the possibility of an Immigration Reform, they told me they are in favor but they think it will be hard to pass it anytime soon, unless more education and advocacy is promoted among those who are anti-immigrants rights.

For more coverage of the film, see NBC4, where Eric Byler is quoted as saying, "This is the same kind of politicized hysteria we saw at the townhall protests." Also see NDN, which notes that last night "was not only a proud night for Annabel Park and Eric Byler, the filmmakers, but for all who lived through the terrible fight on immigration in Prince William County, and for those of us who are directly or indirectly affected by the anti-immigrant sentiments seen on screen." For future screenings, including one in Prince William County next Friday (October 9), click here. Personally, having watched this film develop from a series of YouTube videos into early rough drafts into the final version I saw last night, I'm excited for Annabel and Eric, but even more so, hopeful that this film will be viewed by as many people as possible. It's powerful.

P.S. I shot some video of the Q&A session with Annabel, Eric, and Washington Post film critic Desson Thomson after the film, but the lighting was very low and the video didn't come out well. I may end up posting the audio only...trying to decide.