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Background
Americas embattled public education system provides kindling for
numerous negative news stories school shootings, drugs, gang violence.
ACCIDENTAL HERO a new documentary from award-winning filmmakers Terri
DeBono and Steve Rosen, provides a powerful exception to those stereotypes.
Following a San Francisco East Bay public high school teacher and his
class for over two years, the film tells the story of Tommie Lindsey,
an extraordinary man who is changing lives by introducing his students
to a little known academic sport called forensics. ACCIDENTAL
HERO has important messages about the tremendous potential that young
people from diverse backgrounds can realize when they are given the support
of good teachers and ample educational tools.
Synopsis
Accidental Hero plunges the viewer into a San Francisco East Bay multi-racial
high school classroom where the focus of these teenagers is winning
bringing
home a state championship in a little known academic sport called forensics.
The art of public speaking and oral interpretation is changing their lives,
and Tommie Lindsey, their powerful African-American coach, is proving
it. By allowing students to draw on their cultural backgrounds
sometimes
pent up pain or anger
Tommie channels emotions positively into spellbinding
performances. This robust teacher creates champions and inspires dreams
to happen. The audience experiences the process
from classroom to
state championship.
Where
did the title, Accidental Hero, come from?
Tommie Lindsey grew up in an Oakland neighborhood, and his family wasn't
well off. His clothes were old and in pretty bad shape. A teacher took
him to Sears and bought him a pair of jeans and some shirts. As he tells
it, "That's why I'm in the profession." Tommie
didn't set out to be a hero to hundreds of kids. But, he has a rare vision,
"I believe in the kids that others believe just can't do it. If these
kids can do it, anyone can!"
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