GAC09017
June 5, 2009

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site honors Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) documentary

Contact:
Mindy.Marchal, (502) 569-5212

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — “Kepulihan: Stories from the Tsunami” will premiere as part of the prestigious D.R.E.A.M. film series sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site in Atlanta, Ga., Saturday night during the Big Tent Conference of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), held June 11-13.

Kepulihan is the Indonesian word for the process of healing and recovery. This film captures the struggles, achievements and transformation of four tsunami survivors — in their own words and from their own experience.

The documentary was written and produced by David Barnhart of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, a PC(USA) ministry. Barnhart worked alongside the four survivors during the past four years, enabling them to tell their own stories. Each survivor chose to be part of this project and actively participated in the process of production and documentation.

As Barnhart returned to Sumatra each year, survivors were able to view the film of their interviews and stories from the previous year, reflect upon where they had been and share new stories in the timeline of their recovery.

Barnhart understands his work to be a multifaceted ministry leveraging the power of story to aid victims in the process of healing and rehabilitation. “Stories have the capacity to heal, connect people and reveal our common humanity across cultural, religious and socioeconomic barriers and broundaries,” he said. 

The premiere will be Saturday, June 13, 8 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site, 450 Auburn Ave. N.E., Visitor Center Theatre. Tickets are complimentary, but seating is limited. To request a ticket, send an e-mail. For information about the documentary or to schedule a screening, see Tsunami Stories or call (800) 728-7228, x5839.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) focuses on the long-term recovery of communities impacted by disaster, and works collaboratively with local and international partners — including the United Nations, Red Cross, World Food Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency — to respond effectively to a range of disasters. See the Web site.