The Unlikely Sex Offenders Production Photos

Timphony Russell and Film Producer Maniko Barthelemy

Christina Shank

New Orleans Community Activist Barbara Keller

Orleans Parish Criminal Courthouse

Director of Photography Erica Singleton and Producer Maniko Barthelemy

Director of Photography Erica Singleton and Production Assistant Luisa Marcil

Film Producer Maniko Barthelemy

Photos and list of some Louisiana's registered sex offenders

Louisiana Senator J.P. Morrell (D-New Orleans)

 Louisiana State Trooper Markus Smith

 

New Orleans ACLU Director Marjorie Esman

All photos provided courtesy of Jeff Ray. You may contact Jeff at JeffsRay@gmail.com.
Feel free to e-mail Maniko Barthelemy at NewsHeels@gmail.com.

Film Awards & Reception

Trailer link: http://www.trailheadproductions.com/maniko.htm

Nominated for the 2011 Audience Favorite Award and "Best Documentary Long" in the American University Visions Awards Competition, April 29 @ 7:30 p.m., Katzen Arts Center. Admission and parking are free.

Please cast your vote in support of the film @ http://twtpoll.com/7m6zhf.

 Free Screening of "The Unlikely Sex Offenders" April 28, 6 p.m., American University, Katzen Arts Center.

Prostitutes in Louisiana run the risk of becoming registered sex offenders, if they solicit a particular sex act. To date, nearly 350 prostitutes are registered sex offenders in Louisiana.



"The Unlikely Sex Offenders" is nominated for Best Documentary (long) and is up for an Audience Favorite Award at American University. Please vote for the film at: http://twtpoll.com/7m6zhf. Be sure to scroll the list and look for Maniko Barthelemy. Feel free to share the link to your friends. The winner will be announced Friday, April 29 at the Visions Awards at American University.

You can e-mail your comments to Maniko Barthelemy at NewsHeels@gmail.com

Full Frame Film Festival Recap

 For four days, Durham, NC puts independent film producers and hundreds of fans of compelling, controversial and complex documentaries in one place. This year, the annual Full Frame Film Festival, had a line-up of everything from films about gun violence and the reality of war to the power of laughter and the complexities around bridging cultural differences. Below is a recap of a few documentaries I screened at Full Frame.
 

Maniko Barthelemy & Nick Francis, producer of "When China Met Africa"

Will a partnership between China and Africa bring the much needed financial growth the Zambian government desires? In “When China Met Africa,” film producer Nick Francis explores the progress and problems that come with bringing jobs to African workers. This film had me anxious, angry and interested from the beginning until the end. Log on to http://www.whenchinametafrica.com/ to view the “When China Met Africa” trailer.

Vanessa Rousselot, producer of "No Laughing Matter" & Maniko Barthelemy

Who knew that there’s something funny about being Palestinian? In “No Laughing Matter,” filmmaker Vanessa Rousselot brings audiences to the intersection of laugh-out-loud moments and intense unpredictable reactions from Palestinians in Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus and Ramallah. After watching this film, I learned we have more in common with people from other countries than we often acknowledge or notice. Log on to http://www.dailymotion.com/ to view the trailer of "No Laughing Matter."

Maniko Barthelemy & Ameena Matthews, CeaseFire member profiled in "The Interrupters"

When a city embraces the reality of a powerful solution to stopping shootings, stabbings and violent deaths outside of a call for more police, a stellar example of what works is Chicago’s CeaseFire. In “The Interrupters,” filmmaker Steve James, former Chicago gang members like Ameena Matthews and ex-felons put themselves on the front lines of some of Chicago’s most dangerous crime-ridden neighborhoods.Their goal is to show the world how to reach out and save people who often feel like there’s nothing to lose by taking a person’s life. In the process of saving the streets, some of the CeaseFire volunteers get too close to the scenes of a crime. Here’s a clip of the film: http://www.interrupters.kartemquin.com/.

Maniko Barthelemy & Susan Saladoff, producer of "Hot Coffee"

Perhaps everyone remembers the story of 80-year-old, Stella Liebeck, the woman who sued McDonald’s over the cup of extremely hot coffee that left her body with scars almost too devastating to imagine. In “Hot Coffee,” trial lawyer turned filmmaker, Susan Saladoff, opens the eyes of everyone with an in-depth look at the fallout that followed Liebeck’s case and its impact on malpractice suits across the country. You won’t want to blink, while watching this film. For more information, log on to http://www.hotcoffeethemovie.com/.

 

Maniko Barthelemy & Producers of "Cure for Pain: The Mark Sandman Story"

 I knew nothing about the impact of Mark Sandman’s talent on the rock industry as one of the best bass guitarists of his time. Sadly, the man who brought the sound of rock trio Morphine to airwaves around the world died at the young age of 46. “Cure for Pain: The Mark Sandman Story,” produced by Jeff Broadway, Kai Boydell, David Ferino and Robert Bravler, blends archived concert footage, family photos and recent interviews with family members, music industry experts, and fans to tell a compelling story about life and death. By the end of the film, I got the impression Sandman's ultimate satisfaction had less to do with his success onstage and depended more on the acceptance of his life from his parents. For more information, log on to http://www.gatlingpictures.com/.

 Colin Goddard, profiled in "Gun Fight" & Maniko Barthelemy

If everyone owned a gun, would that stop gun violence? In "Gun Fight," the question is answered by people who are gun lobbyists, NRA members and gun violence survivors like Colin Goddard. Goddard, a Virginia Tech shooting survivor, candidly discusses his life after the Virginia Tech shootings, the death of his sister and the atmosphere on campus before, during and after the tragedy. The film shines a spotlight on backdoor ways some buy guns. It also puts a microscope on the politics behind the right to carry arguments and the horror emergency rooms across the country face when treating people with gunshot wounds.  "Gun Fight" currently airs on HBO. Here's a clip: www.hbo.com/documentaries/gun-fight/​video/trailer.html.



Maniko Barthelemy & Amir Bar-Lev

Why did the military lie about the death of Pat Tillman? In his documentary, "The Tillman Story," film producer Amir Bar-Lev peels back layers of red tape, convoluted explanations and conspiracies and gives viewers the whole truth behind the death of the NFL star turned soldier. The film airs on Showtime. For a view of the trailer, log on to http://www.tillmanstory.com/ to view the film trailer.

Please e-mail Maniko Barthelemy at NewsHeels@gmail.com with your comments about any of the films listed above.

"The Unlikely Sex Offenders" Film Screening

Trailer link: http://www.trailheadproductions.com/maniko.htm

In Louisiana, prostitution can easily amount to more than just a few hours in jail and a court date. "I thought it was going to be a misdemeanor but when they told me I had to register for life, I couldn't believe it," said 54-year-old, Christina Shank. "I was just trying to make some money but they treat us like we're a child molester or a rapist," she said.

Shank is one of nearly 350 Louisiana women registered as a sex offender, after being found guilty of soliciting someone for anal or oral sex. In the documentary, "The Unlikely Sex Offenders," Shank and others convicted of violating Louisiana's 1805 crime against nature law explain how they live with the shame, stigma and isolation that comes with their conviction. What's the purpose and history of such strict enforcement? Why is this law still on the books? Is anything going to change? How do prosecutors prove the case against the accused?

For answers to those questions and to find out what happens to Shank, mark your calendar for Thursday, April 28, 6 p.m. My film, "The Unlikely Sex Offenders" is one of two that will screen at Katzen Center at American University. The screening is in conjunction with the American University Center for Social Media and the Obama Administration's 2011 Human Rights Conference. Admission is free. I sincerely hope you can make it.

Feel free to contact me at NewsHeels@gmail.com.

Newsheels: A Note about Fundraising

Newsheels: A Note about Fundraising: "Here's How Not to Lose Your Future Donation Donors, mass distribution of an organization’s mission and proven success of its programs ..."

A Note about Fundraising

Here's How Not to Lose Your Future Donation

Donors, mass distribution of an organization’s mission and proven success of its programs are all keys to the healthy fate and future of non-profits big and small. It’s no secret, to raise awareness and funds, non-profits host a series of fundraisers. The events range from casual and thrifty to exclusive and extravagant.


The events hold robust power. From the entrance to the exit of potential and faithful donors who appear at a fundraiser, how guests are greeted and treated encourages or discourages them to spread the word about a non-profit and open their checkbooks.

Here are a few tips for non-profits on any level to consider when hosting a fundraiser;

1. Always have guests sign a contact sheet, upon entering your event. The information on the sheet gives you the opportunity to thank your guests with a card or special note, as well as routine updates about the progress of your organization.

2. The first face a guest should see is someone from your board of directors and if possible someone who exemplifies the organization’s purpose.

3. A small pamphlet with people, places and faces that explain your organization’s mission, success and goals.

4. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks are at the very least a mandatory addition to your event. If you ask people to take hours out of their day, come to your event and make a donation, the least you can offer is a tasty light snack.

5. Network and mingle with everyone. Nothing turns potential or faithful donors off more than an unofficial snub from members of an organization seeking support

6. Throughout the event, find a classy, creative and continuous way to thank everyone for coming out and inform your guests of ways to stay in touch with the organization beyond the fundraiser.
What’s the best or most unpleasant incident you or a friend experienced at a fundraiser? Share your thoughts with me at newsheels@gmail.com.

Works in Progress

I've been away from you for months and sincerely hope your New Year is blowing your mind with blessings, progress and options you never imagined would be within your grasp. As for me, a lot is happening quickly, as I prepare in the next few months to graduate with my masters degree in film producing, finish production on two very compelling documentaries, both filmed in New Orleans, and set my schedule to start pre-production on a third film in Maryland.

All films will have Web sites and other information available, regarding when and where you can view the films at festivals throughout the year. Please check out each brief synopsis below of the two films that are in post production. I appreciate your thoughts at newsheels@gmail.com.
                                             
COMING SOON---"The Unlikely Sex Offenders"
"What I really want is somebody to love but I don't think I'll ever have a man, not with what I have to do every year," said 55-year-old, C.S.

What would you do if you had to register as a sex offender for 10 to 15 years or maybe a lifetime because you propositioned someone for a specific sex act? "The Unlikely Sex Offenders" is a film about how hundreds of women and a handful of men in Louisiana are registered as sex offenders because they were prostitutes. The state law requires anyone convicted of the "talking crime" to send out flyers, post an ad in their local newspaper and have their driver's license or state I.D. stamped with "sex offender." In addition to the challenges the women face because of their conviction, the film examines the origin of the law and whether or not lawmakers plan to amend the law.
                                  
COMING SOON---"From Wrong to Right"
"I feel bad because I'm in the eighth grade but it's not going to stop me," said 17-year-old J.M. He attends an alternative high school in New Orleans. If he fails Louisiana's standardized test, he must repeat the eighth grade. In a city where nearly 30,000 students have behavior problems, criminal records and academically function three grades below the national average, J.M. is a teenager the city is trying to save through "The Circle of Courage."

Through the program, ex-felons teach a life skills course at some alternative high schools, where at-risk students reportedly fight teachers, sell drugs or are chronically absent. "From Wrong to Right" examines whether the answer to the problem is ex-felons? Do students like J.M. do better or worse? How do parents feel about the program? What would you do if your child's school put a similar program in place?