Manhattan Society: The Common Good Hosts Screening for “Living for 32”

The Common Good hosted a screening for "Living for 32" on Monday, April 25, 2011 at The Paley Center for Media, 25 W. 52nd Street, New York City, NY. This moving film takes a look into the attack and aftermath of the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech. Guests enjoyed a viewing of this powerful film and the chance to meet the survivor and the filmmaker in an intimate conversation. Special guests included: Governor Mario Cuomo, Maria Cuomo Cole – Producer, Colin Goddard – Survivor/Activist, Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Judge Judith Kaye, Designer Kenneth Cole, Attorney Richard Aborn, President of CAAS LLC and artist Mark Kostabi. About: The Common Good is a non-profit, non-partisan orga­ni­za­tion that strives to inspire broad par­tic­i­pa­tion in our democ­racy through the free exchange of ideas and civil dia­logue and seeks to find ways to bridge the grow­ing divi­sions that threaten our nation. We are ded­i­cated to find­ing com­mon ground and, through forums and ini­tia­tives, encour­age the civic engage­ment so essen­tial for a thriv­ing democracy.

- Christopher London for Manhattan Society, READ MORE

Vice: Style Wars Benefit and Auction - May 25

In 1983, the documentary Style Wars was unleashed on a public largely unfamiliar with concepts like art made with spray-paint or hip-hop. It is arguably the definitive historical snapshot of the era—one that continues to exert its influence on just about every facet of art, music, and daily life in metropolitan cities. On May 25, Catherine Keener, Public Art Films, The Common Good, and Levi’s Film Workshop will be hosting a benefit and auction to fund the restoration of the original (and unfortunately damaged) negatives of the film so that it can be converted into high definition and preserved for generations to come. We had a quick chat with Catherine and Henry Chalfant, the film’s coproducer, graffiti documentarian, and celebrated artist in his own right, about the event and how the film’s influence has perpetually grown over the years […]

- Featured in Vice, READ MORE

Page Six: Pitching in to save ‘Style’

Top artists and actors are supporting a bid to restore the original damaged film of “Style Wars,” a historic documentary about New York’s early ‘80s street culture and graffiti art. Catherine Keener, Charlotte Ronson and David Arquette, along with nonprofit organization The Common Good, are hosting a dinner and party at the Bunker Club on May 25, where the film’s late director, Tony Silver, and producer Henry Chalfant will be honored. Guests expected include James Franco, Spike Jonze, Sean Avery, Hilary Rhoda, Rock Steady Crew and Mr. Brainwash, the star of the hit Banksy documentary, “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” The negative for “Style Wars” was damaged during years in storage. It is hoped it can be repaired using costly digital technology. To help raise money, art has been donated for a silent auction by Brad Pitt, Rachel Roy, the Beastie Boys, Mr. Brainwash and Shepard Fairey, among others.

- New York Post Pafe Six staff, READ MORE

The Quest for "It": Desert Flower Premieres – Sunday, March 20, 2011

On a recent Thursday night, InStyle magazine, National Geographic and The Common Good hosted the New York City premiere screening of “Desert Flower” at The Paley Center for Media. The Co-hosts for the evening included the film’s leading lady, Liya Kebede, UN Goodwill Ambassador, Ross Bleckner, and former First Lady of New York, Michele Paige Paterson. After walking the red carpet, guests were offered wine or Veet vodka, and were then escorted to the theater.

The film is a moving biopic of the life of Supermodel Waris Dirie. The
former Bond girl, who is also featured in the current H&M campaign with Liya Kebede, fled a life of poverty and arranged marriages in Somali. She then ends up being discovered in London by a photographer while working in a fast food restaurant. At this moment, the Cinderella story unfolds. She starts landing major campaigns including Oil of Olay, Benetton, Levi’s and Revlon. She also finds a love interest, played by indie film star Anthony Mackie. The BBC then approaches her to be featured in a documentary titled “The Day that Changed my Life” where she discusses the prevalence of the 3,000 year old practice of female genital mutilation (FMG), not only in her country of origin but worldwide. She later becomes a UN Special Ambassador to help end the practice. She also opens a foundation, the Desert Flower Foundation to become a full-time advocate for victims of FMG.

The film releases in US theaters on March 18th. To view the trailer, visit Desert Flower.

- Christian McKenzie for The Quest for “It”, READ MORE