Wednesday, July 02, 2008

"Crayons and Paper"--New Film!

We have a new film in production!  It is called Crayons and Paper and it documents the effects of war on children in Sri Lanka and Darfur.  The film runs 30 minutes and is told through the eyes of Dr. Jerry Ehrlich, who has traveled to numerous conflict zones to administer to the children there.  He also had the children draw pictures.  These images are the focus of the film.

Recently, the Courier Post in south new Jersey did an article about Jerry Ehrlich.  That article is below:

Cherry Hill doctor takes 'action'

By KEVIN CALLAHAN
Courier-Post Staff


Bruce David Janu came all the way from Chicago to Cherry Hill to see Dr. Jerry Ehrlich.

"When I first walked out of his office, I felt better," Janu said. "Something rubbed off on me."

Janu didn't come across the country to visit Ehrlich about a physical ailment. Janu, a filmmaker and teacher, wanted to hear Ehrlich's inspiring story.

Ehrlich, 73, is a pediatrician with a practice in Cherry Hill. He also is a volunteer for Doctors Without Borders. He has been to many of the world's hot spots of hatred, including Sri Lanka and Darfur.

While on these missions, Ehrlich took paper and crayons to have children document what they have seen and experienced.

Janu made a 90-minute documentary, "Facing Sudan," that featured many of the drawings Ehrlich brought back with him from Sudan. Janu first saw the drawings in 2005 at Ehrlich's office.

"It was really inspiring," Janu said about his first three-hour meeting with Ehrlich in Cherry Hill. "Not only does he have a lot of compassion, he has a lot of energy."

Ehrlich, who has been practicing since 1966 in Cherry Hill, has been on three missions to Sri Lanka and one mission to Darfur for two months over the summer of 2004.

The United Nations estimates more than 300,000 people have died in Darfur through genocide, the crime of destroying a group of people because of their ethnic, national, racial or religious background.

On his trip to Sudan, Ehrlich took 25 boxes of crayons and 400 pieces of drawing paper. He smuggled out more than 150 drawings done by children ages 8 to 11.

He risked imprisonment if caught leaving Darfur with the drawings. He also took photos he uses for slide shows.

Now, Janu is making a documentary featuring Ehrlich called "Crayons and Paper."

"The new film begins with his first of three missions to Sri Lanka," Janu said. "He went to help kids."

Ehrlich brought back drawings from his initial trip to Sri Lanka.

"It is completely about Dr. Jerry and the children's drawings," Janu said.

Janu said the 30-minute film will be completed in July. He will then submit the film to festivals in the short documentary category.

"The first film was to raise awareness," Janu said about "Facing Sudan," which won two awards in 2007 at film festivals. "The next film was to talk about Dr. Jerry and hopefully inspire other people."

Ehrlich has received requests by the Sudan government not to show these pictures of malnourished and sick children he snapped when he was a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders working with refugees from the Darfur region in western Sudan.

However, he shows the pictures to raise awareness of the continuing genocide in Darfur.

"You don't walk away from Darfur and forget about it," Ehrlich said. "I'm speaking for those who can't speak for themselves, the people of Darfur."

Recently, he took his sad slide show to Haddonfield High School, where German teacher Christopher Gwin organized the Spring Student Summit, titled "Getting Comfy with Genocide: What in the World is Going On?"

Ehrlich received the first of what is intended to be the annual Haddonfield Memorial High School S.T.A.N.D. Humanitarian Award. The award from the high school's Students Take Action Now for Darfur group honors a South Jersey community member of significant distinction who has demonstrated sincere and inspiring commitment to saving Darfurians.

"I sometimes talk to three high schools a week," Ehrlich said.

In July, Ehrlich will take the voices of Darfur to Israel. He will show his slide presentation at the Holocaust Center in Jerusalem on July 8.

Before then, however, Ehrlich will take his video and notebooks to do a documentary on a thousand Darfur refugees now living in Israel.

"It will be a very interesting trip," Ehrlich said. "A thousand Darfur refugees escaped the Sudan through Egypt and marched into Israel. They were originally detained prisoners, but an Israel human rights group got them out and now they are integrated with the Israel society. They are called B'nei Darfur, the Sons of Darfur."

Ehrlich will attempt to document their experiences. He might just learn more, like Janu did.

Janu, who teaches history, sociology and literature at John Hersey High School in Chicago's northwest suburbs, didn't intend to make a full-length feature film about the atrocities in Sudan that led him to meeting Ehrlich. Janu wanted to make a short, educational film in which Brian Burns, a janitor at the school where Janu teaches, discussed his work in Sudan.

Quickly, though, Janu realized the stories about genocide told by Burns were much bigger than he thought.

Burns' aid work in Africa inspired Janu to film a full-length documentary about him and other "ordinary people" who have taken it upon themselves to help Sudanese refugees.

That is when Janu, whose filmmaking was limited to educational films, met Ehrlich.

"A lot of people have compassion, but these people took compassion to the next level to do something," Janu said.

"Facing Sudan" is about activism. The film shows the passion that has spurred ordinary people to dedicate their lives to a country imploded by war and genocide.

Over the last 20 years, millions have died in Sudan. A civil war devastated the South and a genocide is occurring in Darfur.

Ehrlich has been making presentations to schools ever since he smuggled the photos and drawings out of Darfur. Interestingly, he doesn't know where the original drawings are.

"They have a life of their own," he said with a smile. "They keep traveling."

Ehrlich said he last heard the original drawings, which were framed by art students at Temple University, were in Canada at museums.

"I could have never imagined the exposure they have gotten," he said. "I never really looked at them until I got back home. I felt they had to get exposure, but I never could have imagined this much exposure."

Soon the drawings and Ehrlich will get more exposure. More importantly for Ehrlich, the voices of the children of Darfur will be heard.

Reach Kevin Callahan at (856) 317-7821 or kcallahan@courierpostonline.com.

41 comments:

  1. Wow, nice post,there are many person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post.Thank you for sharing to us.Please one more post about that..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6:06 AM

    <----- Opening Spinn

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11:51 AM

    |
    The sneakers that are too uncomfortable and tight, don't get them instantly. It is said by the seller that it will be loosen after some time but actually it is not right. The time they will get lose, in that time they will also leave corns on your feet.
    |

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous6:34 AM

    Hey there are using Wordpress for your site platform?
    I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to get started and set up my own.
    Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog?
    Any help would be really appreciated!

    My web blog; オークリー サングラス

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous7:24 AM

    This post is invaluable. Where can I find out more?


    my website: オークリー ゴーグル

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous7:43 AM

    Thanks designed for sharing such a fastidious thinking,
    piece of writing is nice, thats why i have read it
    completely

    My blog post - オークリー激安

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9:03 AM

    hi!,I love your writing very much! percentage we keep up
    a correspondence more about your article on AOL? I require an expert in
    this house to unravel my problem. May be that's you! Having a look forward to peer you.

    Also visit my webpage: レイバンサングラス

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous11:11 AM

    I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest
    but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back in the future. Cheers

    my homepage ... レイバンサングラス

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous1:54 PM

    It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the future and
    it's time to be happy. I have learn this publish and if I may just I want to counsel you some attention-grabbing issues or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!

    Also visit my site :: http://www.raybansale-shop.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous3:22 PM

    Excellent web site. Lots of helpful information here. I'm sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your sweat!

    Also visit my website :: オークリー サングラス

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous4:25 PM

    If some one wishes to be updated with latest technologies therefore he must be go to see
    this web page and be up to date daily.

    Feel free to surf to my web-site: オークリー ゴーグル

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous5:30 PM

    Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this
    blog loading? I'm trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.

    Any responses would be greatly appreciated.


    Also visit my web page: オークリーメガネ

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous6:07 PM

    This is really interesting, You're a very skilled blogger. I've
    joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your
    fantastic post. Also, I've shared your web site in my social networks!

    Also visit my website; オークリー ゴーグル

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous8:10 AM

    For most up-to-date information you have to pay a visit web and on web I found
    this website as a best web site for newest updates.


    Also visit my page: レイバンサングラス

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous1:14 PM

    F r more inside information around the matter of dear supply services to the red box, on a budget, you can Observe fashionable christian mode on hangers. instruction manual on when you Experience an urgent question or having the pocket-size sizing of dog fashion tips on how many multitude without their high-heeled shoes as George W. www.kaspersuitsshop.com/ [url=www.kaspersuitsshop.com/]kasper ladies suits[/url] mode JewelryIf looking for a more than authentic feel. It's likewise enabling us to Hold up with this teenager style, and so hidden Transport fashion. good example David Gandy and instrumentalist Tinie Tempah were spotted at Milan fashion design week--and Flick through and through the jam. kasper dresses So we made a slight something to Wear out army fashion, then to fill out turpitude prostitution etc. speechmaking about her clothes feminine but belligerent, fun but as well celebrities are Approaching in stiff again for this Fashion Design Present fundraiser. every female child wants to be obsessed with fashion design.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous7:50 PM

    fantastic put up, very informative. I'm wondering why the other experts of this sector don't understand
    this. You must continue your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers' base already!

    Here is my web blog; smithsonian.mobilemuseums.org

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous3:45 AM

    Very quickly this site will be famous among all blogging and site-building people,
    due to it's pleasant content

    My webpage オークリー サングラス

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous5:17 AM

    Having read this I believed it was very informative.
    I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this informative article together.

    I once again find myself spending way too much time
    both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!


    Here is my web-site :: レイバン

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous9:48 AM

    It is in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of info.
    I am glad that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this.
    Thank you for sharing.

    Have a look at my web-site; www.smoothieheaven.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous8:00 PM

    Great delivery. Solid arguments. Keep up the great work.


    My homepage ... rayban サングラス

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous1:25 AM

    You are so cool! I don't suppose I've read anything
    like that before. So great to discover somebody with some original thoughts
    on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up.
    This web site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of
    originality!

    Here is my webpage; オークリー サングラス

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous9:33 AM

    I am really loving the theme/design of your web site.

    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A couple of my blog readers have complained about my website not
    working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.

    Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?

    Also visit my web site :: prada バッグ

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous1:24 PM

    Quality articles is the crucial to be a focus for the visitors to visit the
    site, that's what this web page is providing.

    My site; monster ヘッドホン

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous5:11 PM

    This design is wicked! You definitely know
    how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your
    videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog
    (well, almost...HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed
    what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    my web page - ジョーダン

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous8:17 PM

    Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website
    with us so I came to give it a look. I'm definitely enjoying the information. I'm book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Wonderful blog and wonderful design.

    Feel free to visit my blog post - プラダ バッグアウトレット

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous9:16 PM

    Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.

    You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just
    posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?


    Here is my web-site ロレックスレプリカ

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous11:29 PM

    Hi it's me, I am also visiting this site on a regular basis, this web site is actually fastidious and the people are genuinely sharing fastidious thoughts.

    My weblog - ジョーダン

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous4:14 AM

    fantastic issues altogether, you simply won a new reader.
    What might you recommend in regards to your put up that you just made a few days in the past?
    Any certain?

    Review my blog :: モンスタービーツ

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous5:14 AM

    Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility
    issues. When I look at your blog in Firefox, it looks fine
    but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, excellent blog!


    Feel free to visit my blog ... クロエ

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous8:19 AM

    I visited multiple blogs except the audio feature for audio songs existing at this
    website is truly marvelous.

    Feel free to visit my blog - rolex時計

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous12:28 PM

    It's in fact very complex in this active life to listen news on Television, so I only use world wide web for that purpose, and get the latest information.

    Here is my site - オークリー

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous2:38 PM

    I'm impressed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that's equally educative
    and engaging, and without a doubt, you've hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this during my search for something concerning this.

    Feel free to surf to my site :: プラダアウトレット

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous4:09 PM

    Hi there mates, how is everything, and what you desire to say concerning this article, in my view its genuinely awesome for me.



    Feel free to visit my webpage クロエバッグ新作

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous4:24 PM

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i came to
    “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to enhance my site!
    I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!
    !

    my web site ... クロエ店舗

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous9:14 PM

    Hello colleagues, how is all, and what you desire to say about this post,
    in my view its truly amazing in support of me.


    My web page ... モンスター ヘッドホン

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous9:54 PM

    Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all people you really know what you're speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my web site =). We can have a link trade arrangement among us

    my site - シャネルバッグ

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous9:55 PM

    I am really enjoying the theme/design of your
    weblog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?

    A handful of my blog audience have complained about my site not
    operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any recommendations
    to help fix this issue?

    Also visit my webpage; シャネルバッグ

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous10:54 PM

    I believe that is one of the so much important info for me.

    And i am happy reading your article. However want to commentary on
    few common issues, The website style is great, the articles is actually
    nice : D. Just right activity, cheers

    Check out my web site :: prada バッグ

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous11:10 PM

    I just could not leave your web site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual info a person provide
    to your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently in order
    to check up on new posts

    Here is my weblog; ルイヴィトン新作

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous5:15 AM

    I got this web page from my pal who informed me on the topic of this
    web site and at the moment this time I am visiting this
    site and reading very informative articles here.


    Feel free to surf to my web site アバクロンビー

    ReplyDelete