Finding Kind, IndieFlix Review & Giveaway

Have you watched award shows where awards are given for independent films and you think to yourself….I would like to see that. I never went so far as to try to find a way to see those films. The “indie” films are where many big league film makers begin. These films have subject matter that is important to the film makers.

I was contacted by the folks at IndieFlix who gave me a free membership to view and respond to the film “Finding Kind.” The Kind Campaign began as the brain child of two BRAVE young ladies, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, to bring to the forefront, the girl-on-girl bullying that takes place every single day.

Think back to your middle school (or Jr. High) years. Were there cliques of girls, the popular girls, the band girls, the farmer girls, and many other names dependent on the school setting. Do YOU remember having great friends one day and suddenly those same BFF’s turned on you over night? Remember the hurt and utter helplessness you felt? You remember it like it was yesterday don’t you?

As teachers, we witness this same behavior every day in school buildings across the nation and world wide. Some days, I just wanted to smack them and say, do you see what you are doing? This is not appropriate behavior! But wait….does this behavior ever stop for many women? Do you see the same thing with your fellow staff members, the PTA, or the church? Of course we do.

These are questions the film-makers tackled in this cross country trip to visit schools and talk to girls who have experienced first hand the girl-on-girl bullying. Girls are encouraged to tell their stories to the camera or the film-makers. Viewers witness first hand the damage caused by other girls with the horror stories experienced growing up. Tears of pain are the insight into the hurt that can become scars for a lifetime for some victims. Yes, victims!

Finding Kind is a film that should be shown in every single school in the WORLD. We as teachers are in the position of showing not only girls, but boys as well, exactly what bullying is. Bullying doesn’t mean a physical encounter. The mental anguish girls encounter growing up could be far more damaging.

I encourage all of you to check the Kind Campaign website for wonderful resources. Schedule a screening of the film “Finding Kind” with other schools in your area to defray the cost. FIND a sponsor in the community who will provide funding for the screening. Write a grant for funding–I’m always posting opportunities! Talk to health care providers. Do everything in your power to get this film to your students, invite parents! They too need to watch. Everyone needs to find that mutual ground and the tools to get there to STOP our girl-on-girl bullying.

Girls are passionate about everything. We REMEMBER and hold grudges longer than our male counterparts. A shift in thinking and our hardwired brains needs to happen and Finding Kind is a brilliant jumping off point!

I cannot begin to tell you how much this film affected me! Absolutely brilliant!

IndieFlix is a community of independent filmmakers and fans. Through its membership-based streaming service, IndieFlix helps filmmakers translate artistic vision into commercial success, and gives film lovers access to high quality independent films not otherwise available. IndieFlix’s mission is to champion filmmakers, rethink traditional approaches to distribution, and celebrate the artistry and impact of independent film.

IndieFlix is stuffed with films out of the ordinary. Some films make you think, some make you cry, some make you laugh, and yes, some will make you angry. I am thrilled to explore the rich resources offered by IndieFlix….and guess what! TEN—yes, TEN, let me say that again TEN lucky Penniless Teacher fans will receive a FREE 2 month membership to experience IndieFlix. Just in time for the end of school where you can devote time to viewing films that are NOT mainstream, but will move you.