Screening and Panel Discussion
“Breathe Free”
a documentary film by Doug Swift
A Columbus Crossing Borders project
Hosted by Dublin Arts Council
The Columbus Crossing Borders film “Breathe Free” is a moving and powerful documentary that spotlights stories of refugees now living in central Ohio, and a traveling visual art exhibition inspired by their stories. The 50-minute documentary will be shown on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the Abbey Theater of Dublin, 5600 Post Rd., Dublin, Ohio, inside the Dublin Community Recreation Center. Tickets are $5 in advance and at the door, which opens at 6 p.m. Seating is limited and on-site sales will be first-come, first-served. After the screening, the audience is invited to remain for a panel discussion with central Ohio filmmaker Doug Swift, Columbus Crossing Borders Project Director Laurie VanBalen, leaders of Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) and local refugees.
Through Swift’s lens, viewers will be introduced to those who have fled war, terror and dreadful conditions. The documentary tells stories of the dedicated individuals who offer comfort, support and advocacy, while touching on myriad feelings surrounding U.S. border issues. Through the film, viewers learn how these issues led VanBalen, a local artist, to create the Columbus Crossing Borders project, enrolling 34 central Ohio artists to explore the refugees’ experiences through their artwork.
The Columbus Crossing Borders exhibition, which is on view May 1 through June 8 at Dublin Arts Council, 7125 Riverside Dr., in Dublin, is the second iteration of Dublin Arts Council’s three-year project exploring immigration, integration and identity. The exhibition is free of charge.
Advance tickets for “Breathe Free” can be purchased below. Advance ticket sales will end at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9. Click here for more information about the Columbus Crossing Borders exhibition.