About The Lazarus Effect

Personal Statement

I first felt the desire to go to Africa when my father visited years ago. He spent much of his life working as a fundraiser for humanitarian organizations. When I was young, his amazing dedication to global sustainability was frustrating. I couldn\'t understand how he could dedicate so much of his time, energy and money to charitable rather than personal causes. It wasn\'t until we traveled together to the rainforest in Ecuador and I saw first hand the effect that humanitarian efforts can have that I began to understand.

I was fortunate enough to go to backpacking in Europe after college, but instead of the traditional destinations I went to the Balkans. One night I found myself in Yugoslavia, hitching a ride from Albania to Sarajevo with a UN humanitarian. After he related his amazing eyewitness account of the war, he asked what it was I wanted to do. I explained that I wanted to make movies, but that I also wanted to help the fight for global equity. He was the first person to help me realize that I could do both at once. Further, he convinced me that it wouldn\'t just be personally fulfilling, but that a globally focused film could have a major impact.

Years later, I finally have the knowledge and skills necessary to make The Lazarus Effect. It is my intention that the project will not just be personally transformative, but that it will be a compelling enough story to be transformative for everyone who sees it. There has never been a greater need to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

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Updated: 07/30/05