Heart of Stone in Charleston, SC

 April 25
Charleston, SC 

Talk about saving the best for last! I never realized how much Charleston has to offer. It was voted the best tourist destination in the "world" and perhaps rightfully so. First of all Lizz Biswell from The College of Charleston was able to attract a large audience of diversity from lower income after school programs, retirees, educators to even college students! This proved an interesting Q&A afterwards. I also got a lot of tips on local restaurants and indeed the food here is exceptional. With my free time I fit in a harbour boat tour and an old town carriage ride. This was the most important city of the Civil War and wasn't burned down by Sherman so it's charm still oozes Lucky to end an eye opening South Arts Film Festival in the quintessential southern city of Charleston . Thank you South Arts for a wonderful journey.

 - Beth Kruvant

Heart of Stone finds Elvis in Tupelo

 April 24 Tupelo Miss

Went straight to see where Elvis was born & raised! Then on to meet the Tupelo Film Commission hosts- a bunch of energetic affable gals who introduced me to the sponsors. They gave me a bag of treats to remember Tupelo by and let me help them dish out the freshly made popcorn in the basement of the church where the screening was held. My prejudgment of Tupelo was proven wrong- the staff proved to be cultural, and artistic and lots of fun above all. They even took me on a secret tour of the church's baptismal font hidden behind the altar!

I was glad to see a diverse audience filled with kids from the local boys & girls club.

An insightful Q&A ensued!

- Beth Kruvant

Heart of Stone ventures into the heart of Alabama

plaque outside First White House of the Confederacy

Wed - April 16,2013

Drove from Madison to Montgomery , AL

So happy to be staying in the peaceful Lattice Inn, a b&b and homey it is. Welcomed personally by the owner with a cold drink and a snack.

Immediately went downtown & checked out the First White House of the Confederacy,

To wit: the home of Jefferson Davis.

A stately mansion which was preserved by Davis' widow. Then to the impressive Greek Revival gold domed State Capital with paintings of the Governors lining the hallways. I was curious to see Gov Wallace's painting in a prominent position in the rotunda since his history is etched in my upbringing . Then I walked to the riverfront. After a top dinner near the Inn I'm heading in for an early eve looking forward to tomorrow's screening and maybe fit in a tour of Scott & Zelda Fitsgeralds home first!

Took the Fitzgerald tour and am now primed for the up and coming film on The Gatsbys. It was a most informative tour. A spectacular "summer" day. On my way to sound check.

- Beth Kruvant

Fitzgerald House

Madison, GA hosts Beth Kruvant and her Heart of Stone

Madison, GA Town Hall

Arrived early in historic Madison, GA. Rated #1 small town in America. So happy to find Perks Coffee shoppe with excellent cappuccino & blueberry scones,could rival any coffee shoppe in the big apple.

An exquisite town center with a commanding county court house and antebellum houses. I was looking forward to touring one of these beautiful houses spared by General Sherman on his March to the sea due to an agreement he made. And indeed I had time later to see heritage hall, a greek revival home on Main St. I finally feel that I've arrive in the south with all its civil war history. An elegant town that makes you want to slow down and smell the roses.

The screening was in the cultural arts center that was built in 1895 . The 300 seat auditorium had a pine ceiling as well as walls & floor. A cultured audience with insightful and probing questions. We continued the Q&A at a friendly reception afterward.

Madison High School

- Beth Kruvant

Heart of Stone begins in Suwanee

First stop was Suwanee, GA where the savvy directors brought together a diverse packed house! How lucky to start the tour with Toni & Lianne, both giving hugs and smiles. They treated me to dinner at Ipolittos, a delicious Italian restaurant in town. They showed the legendary southern hospitality.What an intelligent and enthusiastic audience and a diverse mix of people asking probing questions.
The film brought hope to the audience as one person capable of making a difference. Not unlike the "helpers" in Boston helping others to save lives.
Thank you Suwanee for bringing the film!

- Beth Kruvant

Meet Beth Kruvant

Welcome Beth Kruvant and her film, Heart of Stone, to the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers! Beth's first stop on the Circuit will be in Suwanee, GA at the Movie Tavern in a screening event presented by the City of Suwanee. This is a great place to see independent film if you live in the Atlanta area. Make sure you stick around for the Q&A and reception afterwards with Beth. See a trailer for Heart of Stone and the rest of the stops on Beth's Circuit tour on the Southern Circuit website.

More about Beth: This is Beth Kruvant's third documentary. Her first documentary, Born in Buenos Aires, won the Directors Award at the Detroit Jewish Film Festival. Kruvant’s second film, The Right To Be Wrong, was featured on PBS, and is being distributed by National Film Network. Kruvant practiced civil and criminal litigation law for 20 years in New Jersey, before creating Good Footage Productions, Inc., a charitable organization formed to produce documentary films that raise awareness of communities in crisis. Its newest film, Heart of Stone, focuses on the crisis in education in Newark, New Jersey.

Coming to a community near you... Heart of Stone

Heart of Stone, 84 minute documentary, tells the story of Weequahic High School, in Newark, NJ, before the 1960s when it was the top highschool in the USA and in the year 2007, when Principal Ron Stone devised an unconventional plan to realize his vision to turn the school gang violence around by creating a "non-violence zone" using gang leadership qualities for positive purposes.  Weequahic serves as a model for other inner city schools to rebuild and flourish.

Next week this time we will be on our way to Atlanta looking forward to our Southern Circuit Tour

April 15, City, GA The Movie Tavern 7:00pm

April 16, Madison, GA Madison-Morgan Cultural Center 7:00pm
April 18, Montgomery, AL Capri Theatre 7:30pm
April 19, Gallatin, TN Greater Gallatin 7:00pm
April 23, Tupelo, MS Tupelo Film Comm.7:00pm
April 24, Baton Rouge, LA LSU Theatre 4:30pm
April 25, Charlston, SC Halsey Inst. of Cont. Art 7:00pm 

WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED!!!!!