The Mary B. Martin School of the Arts hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary “QUEST” in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium.
According to Anita DeAngelis, Director of the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, this particular screening was a significant event for the program.
“As I looked around this room tonight I realized that this would be the last event hosted by the MBM in this Auditorium which we have used for so many amazing events over the years,” said DeAngelis.
DeAngelis spent a brief moment thanking the faculty and staff that made so many amazing events possible over the years and then she introduced the documentary.
“The film tonight was directed by Jonathan Olshefski who was recently named as one of the top nine new directors to watch by the New York Times,” said DeAngelis.
QUEST itself is also highly decorated and acclaimed having won many awards.
“After the film premiered at Sundance, it quickly made its way to over 75 festivals around the country and won over 25 awards,” DeAngelis said.
The film certainly lived up to its hype presenting the beautiful tale of an African-American family living in Philadelphia.
According to the program, the film follows “Christopher ‘Quest’ Rainey, and his wife Christine’a ‘Ma Quest’ Rainey as they navigate the strife that sometimes grips their ‘North Philly’ neighborhood as they raise a family and cultivate a creative sanctuary for the community in their home music studio.”
The film explored themes of community, love, race and class in a moving and honest way that left the audience with hope in the healing power of everyday people.
The screening was followed by a Q&A with Olshefski and Christopher ‘Quest’ Rainey. Olsehfski underscored the amazing impact the film has had as he has toured with it across the country.
“I have been touring with the film for a year and people have been touched in a powerful way,” said Olsehfski.
“There’s something amazing that happens when you watch a film with other people. Connections happen and community is built.”
