ILLUMINATE. CHALLENGE. INSPIRE.
A portrait of grief, healing, and community
One man loses his son to a cocaine overdose. Grieving, Stan Marsden, a Tsimpsean wood carver decides to create a totem pole in his son's memory and invites the town of Craig, Alaska to help. Before he is done, the pole becomes a communal project, bringing people of diverse backgrounds and ages together.
Carved from the Heart intertwines the process of carving and erecting the Healing Heart totem pole with the participants' stories of personal loss, grief, substance abuse, suicide and violence. This powerful film explores questions of death and dying, family relationships and parenting, domestic violence, and the impact of the war in Vietnam on veterans and their families.
The film also acknowledges the intergenerational grief growing out of the rapid changes in lifestyle, and the interruptions to the passing on of tradition and knowledge within Alaska Native and American Indian communities like Craig. But, most importantly, Carved from the Heart demonstrates the enormous power of mutual support, culture, art, and ceremony in enabling a community to face tragedy, provide support to its members, and find a path to healing.
Serves the dual purpose of artistic expression and communal healing. Marsden is an inspiring example.
San Francisco Bay Guardian
Moving and therapeutic. CARVED FROM THE HEART speaks of ritual, connection, carthasis, confession, meaning-making, and many other features of healthy coping.
Margaret Baim, Clincial Director, Center for Training in Mind/Body MedicineHarvard Medical School
An extraordinary and sensitive video that emphasizes the healing power of ritual, the strength that emerges from support, and the unique ways individuals grieve.
Kenneth Doka, Ph.D. Senior Consultant, Hospice Foundation of America
"A powerful and engaging film that promotes linking creativity to healing and building resilience. Recommended for groups and programs working with veterans and their families."
Richard Burton, Registered Drama Therapist, LMFT, CPRP
A realistic portrayal of a Native community dealing with traumatic problems in a positive and unified way. It is "healing" just viewing the video.
Billy Rodgers, Director University of Oklahoma Health Promotions Program
Alaska Council on Prevention, Prevention Symposium
Visit the official website for Carved from the Heart
Appropriate for: High School College/University
Special Features:
There is also a follow-up video available on the DVD: Words from the Heart and it shows how the story of one man converting personal tragedy into affirmative force has prompted healing and encouraged action from Alaska to the South Pacific. The 45 minute version includes BOTH Carved from the Heart and Words from the Heart
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