Film Commission Opens ‘The Screening Room’

NEW MILFORD — New Milford Film Commission announces the formation of “The Screening Room,” a new film series that will present and honor talent from the area, including New England-based filmmakers, directors, producers, writers, and editors in a variety of genres. Each program will feature a speaker associated with some aspect of a film. A question and answer session will follow each screening.

The first filmmaker in the series will be Lisa Abelow Hedley, presenting her film Dwarfs: Not a Fairy Tale. The Washington (Conn.)-based filmmaker will show her sensitive and compelling film at New Milford Library on Sunday, October 14, beginning at 3 pm.

Throughout history, dwarfs have been objects of curiosity, amusement and derision. Even today, popular culture often perpetuates the myth of dwarfs as strange creatures who live in a netherworld of circus sideshows and fantasy stories.

The inspiring documentary Dwarfs: Not A Fairy Tale reveals the realities of dwarfism through four personal stories that prove being a “little person” does not preclude happiness or professional success. Producer and director Lisa Abelow Hedley, herself the mother of a dwarf, provides a frank and compassionate look at dwarfism in today’s society.

Statistics show that one in every 40,000 children is born with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, which prevents the proper growth of bones in the arms and legs. Born to unsuspecting parents of average height, the majority of dwarfs will be just over four feet tall when fully grown.

“This is a very personal film and it emotionally accurate for me as a mother,” comments Ms Hedley. “In the process, my goal was to stay true to my experience of having a child who is different. I wanted the film to reflect the realities about our own expectations as parents as well as society’s expectations. Mostly, however, I learned a lot from the film’s subjects about dignity and perseverance in a world which celebrates and even demands conformity.” Ms Hedley’s daughter has been diagnosed with achondroplasia.

Dwarfs: Not A Fairy Tale dispels many of misconceptions about “little people” through personal stories, exploring the effects of family, culture and medical advances on their lives. Interspersed are clips from familiar films such as The Wizard of Oz and Freaks, which have reinforced stereotypes over the years.

As proprietor of the Bantam Cinema, located in Litchfield County (and recognized as the oldest continually operated cinema in the state), Ms Hedley enthusiastically supports independent films.

For additional information concerning the New Milford Film Commission or the October 14 screening with Lisa Hedley, call 860-210-2099.