Spring Break
Screening of 'Darius Goes West' will show tonight, hosted by SAE fraternity
Travis Moore
Issue date: 3/23/09 Section: Focus
In 2007, an unknown documentary by an unknown director chronicling the cross-country adventure of an unknown teenager from Georgia hit the festival circuit. It tells the story of 15-year-old Darius Weems - who uses a wheelchair due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (the most common fatal genetic disorder found in children) - as he sets out with his friends on a journey across the U.S.
His goal is to have his wheelchair customized on MTV's "Pimp My Ride." On the way, they discover the depths of their friendship and the unbridled joy of life in all its forms.
Since its modest release, "Darius Goes West" has profoundly touched audiences worldwide with its "life is always worth the ride" spirit and pay-it-forward message. It has picked up loads of accolades and major awards from film festivals across the U.S. Darius and his crew now tour the country screening "Darius Goes West" and sharing their stories with those in attendance. Tonight from 7 to 9 in ITE C80, they will attend a screening for UConn students.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity will host the event. Jonathan Lutz, past president of SAE, states that he and his fraternity brother Robert Gargiulo watched the film, and were both blown away and inspired by Weems' story. They called it part revolution, part revelation. They decided to host a screening to raise awareness and money for his cause.
Lutz remarked that he is very excited for the opportunity to host Darius and his crew for the sake of educating UConn students.
"[They will be] personally answering questions and sharing their stories," Lutz said.
Admission is free, but all proceeds from donations will go to benefit research of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, in hope of one day finding a cure.
His goal is to have his wheelchair customized on MTV's "Pimp My Ride." On the way, they discover the depths of their friendship and the unbridled joy of life in all its forms.
Since its modest release, "Darius Goes West" has profoundly touched audiences worldwide with its "life is always worth the ride" spirit and pay-it-forward message. It has picked up loads of accolades and major awards from film festivals across the U.S. Darius and his crew now tour the country screening "Darius Goes West" and sharing their stories with those in attendance. Tonight from 7 to 9 in ITE C80, they will attend a screening for UConn students.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity will host the event. Jonathan Lutz, past president of SAE, states that he and his fraternity brother Robert Gargiulo watched the film, and were both blown away and inspired by Weems' story. They called it part revolution, part revelation. They decided to host a screening to raise awareness and money for his cause.
Lutz remarked that he is very excited for the opportunity to host Darius and his crew for the sake of educating UConn students.
"[They will be] personally answering questions and sharing their stories," Lutz said.
Admission is free, but all proceeds from donations will go to benefit research of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, in hope of one day finding a cure.
Be the first to comment on this story