June 27, 2012
As Told By Forest Whitaker
A feature length documentary about the first Rwandan National Cycling Team and their six year journey to the Olympic games in London.
On June 27th Columbia Center for the Arts will be presenting a very special showing of the cycling film Rising from Ashes.
Rising from Ashes” is a feature length documentary (final production work in progress) about the first Rwandan National Cycling Team and their six year journey to the Olympic Games in London. It's not about the bike. It's about second chances, how our past doesn't have to define our future, and the impossible triumph of the human spirit over one of the world's most devastating genocides.
The story is told by Forrest Whitaker and follows Team Rwanda: Adrien Niyonshuti - Rwanda’s first Olympic Cyclist, Rafiki Uwimana, Nathan Byukusenge, Abraham Ruhumuriza, Jock Boyer - Coach and the First American to Ride in the Tour de France and Tom Ritchey - Founder of Team Rwanda and the Inventor of the Mountain Bike.
The team’s top rider Adrien Niyonshuti rode in the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and will be riding in the 2012 Olympic Summer Games.
Over Six Years in the Making
Over six years in the making, Rising from Ashes was an epic undertaking. With production covering three continents, in some of the most challenging shooting environments in the world, the Rising from Ashes crew led by Director T.C. Johnstone chased this incredible story.
Near the end of the journey, Emmy Award Winning Zacuto Films, a Chicago based production studio, approached our team with a vision to document the dramatic climax of our most intense shoot of the production in Rwanda.
Run time: 80 minutes. This film is not rated.
Meet the Producer
Producer, director and Editor T.C. Johnstone will be on hand to talk about the film.
Reception
There will be a reception in the lobby at 7:00 p.m. with the film beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are $10. Purchase them online, at the door or in advance at Columbia Arts.
Get your tickets online now!
This film will likely sell out. We encourage you to purchase your tickets now by clicking here: Rising from Ashes.
A portion of the proceeds go directly to Project Rwanda which is committed to furthering the economic development of Rwanda through initiatives based on the bicycle as a tool and symbol of hope. Their goal is to use the bike to help boost the Rwandan economy as well as rebrand Rwanda as a beautiful and safe place to do business and visit freely.
Learn More
Click here to view a downloadable PDF: About Rising from the Ashes
See a preview of the movie by clicking on the image below (and then click again)...
More Information
Please contact Catherine Butler, Columbia Center for the Arts at performance@columbiaarts.org