Browse Films

Ellen Frankenstein and Louise Brady's film Carved from the Heart is about the people of Craig, Alaska, who came together to help Stan Marsden build a totem pole as he grieved for the son who died in a cocaine overdose. Carved from the Heart won many awards, but it also got people talking. In Words from the Heart, a companion film, people from Alaska to the islands of the South Pacific comment on how Carved from the Heart has prompted emotional healing andencouraged unification and action within diverse communities. Words from the Heart is intended to facilitate discussion of the life altering issues raised by Carved from the Heart, including suicide, grief and loss, family violence and addictions.

J. Carlson
Video Librarian
full review

Minnie Two Shoes
Aboriginal Voices
full review

The film is an acknowledgment of things that go on in families, of grieving that never takes place at the family table.
Jessie McClain
College Student and Community Activist, Alaska

You can introduce this film as way of channeling your emotions....If it isn't a totem pole, some form of art that you can actually see something from what you're doing, asides knocking a hole in the wall.
Xavier Allen, San Francisco

I've watched CARVED FROM THE HEART, a few times. The first time I watched it all I could see was the pain, then I could see the strength and the healing. The last time I could see beauty...It brought to mind the same process as recovering from chemical dependency.
Charlie Knapp
Community Health Worker, Alaska

AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

Resource Web Sites

Alaska "Carved from the Heart" Website