Three films are set in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Hampton Roads
Maryland Public Television (MPT) will feature three documentaries in late September set in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Hampton Roads, Va.All three films will have their public television premieres when they air on MPT-HD. The inclusion of these films on MPT’s schedule is part of the statewide public TV network’s commitment to acquire and showcase the outstanding work of independent filmmakers who tell compelling stories set in the mid-Atlantic region.
On Monday, September 21 at 9 p.m., MPT-HD will present By Any Means Necessary: Stories of Survival. Produced by the Baltimore National Heritage Area and directed by Tony Mendez, the 30-minute film tells stories of Baltimore residents using squeegeeing and an entrepreneurial spirit to survive, provide, and thrive. Viewers hear from squeegee kids about the impact of squeegeeing on their lives and what they want the public to understand about this unique approach to self-sufficiency. A trailer can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=
Later in the week, on Thursday, September 24 at 10 p.m., MPT-HD will offer the 60-minute documentary Nobody Wants Us. Produced by Seltzer Film & Video and Washington, D.C.-based director Laura Seltzer-Duny, the film tells the story of three teenagers and their Jewish families from Belgium trapped on a steamship in the port of Hampton Roads, Va. and hoping to make it safely onto United States soil in 1940 after escaping the Nazi invasion of Europe. A film trailer is available at nobodywantsus.com/trailer.
On Sunday, September 27 at 4:30 p.m., MPT-HD will presents Anyone Like Me. Directed by Mimi d’Autremont,the 30-minute film explores the intersection of deaf culture and America’s favorite pastime: football. The story centers on Shelby Bean, a hard of hearing man who came to Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. as a student athlete in 2009 and then became a football coach there after he graduated in 2013. Gallaudet is the world’s only university designed for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and is home to the only deaf collegiate football team. A film trailer can be viewed at vimeo.com/194275078.
Encore showings of By Any Means Necessary: Stories of Survival will air on MPT-HD on Tuesday, September 22 at 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.Nobody Wants Uscan also be seen on Friday, September 25 at 2 a.m. on MPT-HD, and on Wednesday, September 30 at 9 p.m. on MPT2.
About Maryland Public Television
Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate, offering entertaining, informative, educational, and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices. A state agency, it operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission. MPT creates and distributes local, regional, and national content and is a frequent winner of regional Emmy® Awards. MPT’s commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through instructional events and Thinkport.org. MPT’s year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources on a wide range of topics. For more information visit mpt.org.
