BALLOU COMES TO SYRACUSE

Since its release in 2007, the feature-length film Ballou has received rave reviews and gained national attention when it was screened at the White House for first lady Laura Bush. The Syracuse International Film Festival is proud to present this high-powered 90 minute documentary by Michael Patrei.

This is a story of young people overcoming an environment filled with guns, drugs and violence and uplifting their community with music, dedication and personal sacrifice. These kids learn how to play instruments and overcome personal losses due to the United States governmental neglect of an impoverished community located just 3 miles away from the US Capitol building. Political leaders and celebrities are featured in the film to show the importance of a small marching band that overcomes the negative environment and neglect to become an award winning band. 

Ballou tells the success story of the Ballou Senior High School Marching Band in Washington D.C. as it overcomes huge disadvantages and goes on to compete in a national High Stepping Marching Band competition in Birmingham, Alabama.  On the way, they inspire each other, and a whole community, to believe again.

The film was recently featured on, “The Ellen Degeneres Show” as it has really struck a nerve in reflecting a reality that affects so many of our inner city schools today.

The 5th Annual Syracuse International Film Festival will hold two screenings of Ballou at the Center For the Performing Arts (728 East Genesee Street) on Saturday April 26th at 1pm and again on Saturday May 3 at 2pm. The Center For the Performing Arts is a new venue location for the Syracuse International Film Festival and is sponsored by Clear Channel television. CHC Productions is sponsoring the Ballou screenings.               

The screenings in the 400 seat venue are expected to be standing room only since students from the Syracuse City Schools have already received tickets, courtesy of the Syracuse Teachers Association and Assemblyman William Magnarelli. So be sure to come early to get your tickets and refreshments, and get ready to be inspired and entertained by the music and story of the Ballou High School Marching Band.

For information about tickets please call the Syracuse International Film Festival office at 443-8826.