BRUSH…PAINTED FORWARD: Uncovering The Healing Powers Of Art and Charity
Written and directed by Dimitri Pantchev, the award-winning documentary short Brush…Painted Forward is a story of how art and artistry has helped to save the lives of children afflicted by cancer. As it continues to play at film festivals, Brush…Painted Forward continues to preach the importance of giving to those less fortunate by sharing how Children’s Cancer Caring Center founder Lee Klein’s dedication to healing unites her with a group of talented artists who contribute their skills for a cause more meaningful than career recognition.
Founded over five decades ago by Klein, the South Florida-based Center (or CCCC) has worked to treat generations of children affected by cancer while providing tremendous support to their families. Knowing that such care does not come without a price, Louisiana artists T.J. Black and Alex Harvie helped raise money for the Center by creating a special oil painting during a live auction at the CCCC’s fundraising gala on September 24, 2016.
The painting, which featured Black and Harvie’s beautiful rendering of the patrons who attended the gala, sold for $8,500 at the auction. Proceeds from the painting were later matched four times over, thus covering the Center’s continuing inpatient care costs.
Making Brush…Painted Forward gave Pantchev an unforgettable and frequently poignant look at the zeal for life shown by the young patients at the Children’s Cancer Caring Center, and the selfless commitment that Black and Harvie gave to helping the Center continue its mission of healing.
“It was absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience filming the artists painting the evening, and it was extremely hard and heartfelt at the same time filming the kids taking chemo while playing with their parents in the chemo room, and (seeing) their hope and belief for survival,” Pantchev says. “As a filmmaker, it made me stronger and more dedicated to make films that tell stories in a way that will positively change somebody else’s life, and (to) make them think about benevolence and humanity.”
As a human being, Pantchev earned something more profound than just another credit in his filmography with Brush…Painted Forward. “On a personal level, it totally changed my perspective (on) life and definitely appreciating life, well-being and luck more than anything else.”
With Brush…Painted Forward’s screening at the 2018 Louisiana International Film Festival (LIFF) accompanied by Black and Harvie doing a live painting for attendees, Pantchev’s experience at the festival took on a transformative life outside the movie screen.
“LIFF and its organizers were very professional and friendly, appreciating the film and the artists and story and on top of (that), having their live event (be) painted by Alex and T.J. It was almost like being part of the film itself; by being in a painting,” remembers Pantchev.
The film’s presence at LIFF, and the support given to both Pantchev and his project by the festival’s management, doubly emboldened the filmmaker. “It absolutely lifted me up as a filmmaker. Any screening that I have been able to attend was a total joy as I was able to spread the message of the film and to show myself as a filmmaker with a purpose, which I believe I am.”
The purpose of Brush…Painted Forward is as important as that of Pantchev’s work itself: “I really hope people will realize that they don’t have to own much in order to help somebody in need, and I really hope that I will raise awareness about pediatric cancer and the need of humanity and help,” he says.
With Brush…Painted Forward as an example of how film can motivate audiences to make life better for people battling maladies both physical and mental, Pantchev also encourages filmmakers to create work that follows his example. “…I really hope that filmmakers would start making films that matter in a positive way and (that they) tell stories that may change somebody’s (life) (for) good and help others spreading benevolence.”
For more information on Brush…Painted Forward, visit:
For more information on the Children’s Cancer Caring Center, plus info on how you can donate to the hospital, visit:
