November 16

Behind the Scenes: Notes from Director Glenn Holsten

Before COVID-19, I think was sometimes difficult to look people in the eye. We had other choices of where to hold our gaze. In this era of mask wearing, however, we have no choice. Masks cover all but the eyes. Eyes do tell a story.

 On the very first day when art therapist Michael Galarraga and I set up a table and monitor and a speaker at the front of the lunch line to interest Broad Street Ministry guests in this project, I saw dozens of men and women in line waiting for lunch. Wearing masks, revealing only their eyes.

I had a simple thought – what have those eyes seen?  

In one of the workshops leading up to the filming, we asked guests to respond to a couple of simple prompts. On one side of the paper, was the prompt MY EYES HAVE SEEN . . . On the other side, I WANT MY EYES TO SEE . . .

 These simple prompts produced wonderful, thoughtful responses. Miss Linda’s response became the foundation for the film “SIGHT,” which is part of this film festival. In the film, Miss Linda reads her poetic response to these prompts, which are animated by talented graphic designer Andrea Bitai. 

Another voice in the film is Broad Street Ministry guest Ronald Romano (featured in the film “I Tend to Grow on People”), who responded to the prompts with his simple, profound observations:

MY EYES HAVE SEEN . . .

Blue skys, rainy days, nice cars, junk cars, homeless people, dead body people, people overdosing, people smiling, people getting stabbed, people fighting back. I witnessed a birth, sad baby, happy baby. I seen jail cells and prison cells across the country. I seen different types of drugs. I seen ocean and lakes and mountains. I seen baseball, football and soccer games. I seen a grown man cry. I seen the Eagles with the Super Bowl.

I WANT MY EYES TO SEE. . .

My mom having the happiest and proud face I ever seen. I want to see my son get married. I want to see my grandchildren. I want to see my very own place that I can call home.

What have those eyes seen?  The short film in this series titled “My Eyes Have Seen” is the filmed answer to that question.