Special Project class screens documentary

Film looks at ACT UP Shreveport
Students participating in the “History of AIDS” special project at LSMSA enjoyed a private screening of the independent documentary “Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South” on Thursday, Jan. 5, in the recital hall of the Center for Performance and Technology.

Principals of the film and the director and producer attended the screening and led a question and answer session following the showing of the film.

“Small Town Rage” examines the work and influence of ACT UP Shreveport in the conservative Deep South. During the early years of the AIDS pandemic, ACT UP Shreveport sought to bring attention to the plight of those living with the disease and also to bring about change in the way the government and the medical community reacted (or failed to react) to the crisis.

The 98-minute film has been screened publicly only twice and is about to hit the film festival circuit.

The project was led by Dr. Jason Anderson, associate lecturer of biology, and Jennifer Mangum, senior lecturer of mathematics.

Students include Colt Crain, a sophomore from Zachary, MyChel Robinson, a senior from Mansura; James Rawls, a junior from Baton Rouge; Emma Millisor, a junior from Anacoco; Casey Tonnies, a sophomore from Bossier City; Emma Simpson, a junior from Shreveport; Esther Seo, a sophomore from Bossier City; Matthew Olivier, a senior from Abbeville; Diamond Wilson, a sophomore from Natchitoches; Milla Reddick, a junior from Grand Cane; Triniti Bulliard, a senior from New Iberia; Kennedy Ellender, a senior from Westlake; Grace Fields, a sophomore from Prairieville; Kamryn Chauncy, a senior from Benton; Destiny Beal, a sophomore from Houma; Alexis Parsons, a junior from Maurice; Morgan Phelps, a sophomore from Baton Rouge; and Kira Yeates, a senior from Bossier City.

Representing the film were Robert Darrow, Raydra Hall, David Hylan, Bryan Sullivan and Gary Cathey.
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