Holla

HOLLA Challenging the Narrative for Kids of Color in America’s Whitest City:

Support the Filmmakers! Full Digital Bundle Includes Bonus Images, a 13 page film curriculum,and details for how to host a special screening and raise awareness for Holla!

Pushed out of the inner city by rising costs and economic development, minority
families increasingly settle in outer Portland and Gresham. “HOLLA” chronicles the organization of the same name, founded by Pastor Eric Knox to mentor kids of color in predominantly white and white-taught schools.

Featuring straight talk from notable intellectuals Robert Munoz (Portland State University) and Dyan Watson (Lewis & Clark College), as well as raw testimonials from mentors and mentees, “HOLLA” is an informative, humorous, and heartbreaking look at the issues that face our city and our nation, as we struggle to fulfill the promise of integration and equal opportunity.

The film explores the lives of three young women on the HOLLA basketball team, as mentorship subtly transforms their experience. Through tough love and tenderness the kids learn to hurdle obstacles and adversity in a system biased against them. But learning is a two-way street — the viewer also sees the educators and mentors in the organization changing and growing through their work.

“Holla” features select tracks from Portland’s nationally recognized music scene, including songs from Tre Hardson (Pharcyde), rising star Liz Vice, Catherine Feeny and Chris Johnedis and the band Jospeh.

Directed and Produced by Sebastian Rogers for Peripheral Vision PDX pvpdx.com Edited by Michael Blake