Stories Of Change

Independent filmmaker Theresa Tollini's second film (her first was the acclaimed and powerful Breaking Silence, on the subject of incest), is a superb examination of four women whose lives, for various reasons, were derailed and how through personal perseverance they were able to put their lives back on track. Each of the segments opens with a hand: the hand writes a name on a white board, then disappears, and returns to add some small individual flourish to the signature. It's a nice touch, and it's characteristic of the visual flair which informs this social documentary. The four women are: Anna, a Caucasian woman; Angelina, a Hispanic woman; Minh-Hoa, a Vietnamese refugee; and Anitra, an African-American painter. Anna, for instance, got married in the 60s, went to California to grow grapes, and then lost everything when her husband divorced her seven years later. Smoking and drinking herself towards an early grave, she rescued herself when a chance encounter resulted in a pregnancy. Anna's daughter gave her a new lease on life. This is a very bare outline of Anna's story and doesn't begin to do justice to the rich details which--like the hand that returns to add something to the signature--create a moving human portrait. Ironically, change is one of the constants in the human condition. It can both destroy and create. For these four women, change did nearly destroy their lives, but ultimately it created a much stronger person. Stories of Change is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: Tollini's earlier film, the multi-award winning Breaking Silence--which we would also highly recommend--is now being distributed by New Day Films at the same prices as Stories of Change.] (Available from: New Day Films, 121 West 27 St., Suite 902, New York, NY 10001.)