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Community Heroes-From the front lines wins prestigious award

The power of an idea can motivate. It can unite and it can become a force all of its own. Such was an idea that was brainstormed into more at the house of Shirley and Wah Fee Low one evening several years ago.
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Rosemary Doughty

The power of an idea can motivate.  It can unite and it can become a force all of its own.  Such was an idea that was brainstormed into more at the house of Shirley and Wah Fee Low one evening several years ago.

A small, but determined crew sat around the dinner table chomping down on a dinner of what Rosemary Doughty calls “an experience that was always worth the wait.”  The guests were all members of Red Rock Production.  They were thinking about a new project.  Doughty was the Victim Services Coordinator for the Princeton RCMP detachment.  She saw the ugliness of domestic violence and she threw the thought of a documentary on the hard topic out to the group.

The members of Red Rock Production pondered the topic.  They decided that in spite of the complexity of this very real and very difficult ongoing societal problem that they would jump in.

Decision made, the hard work began.  The crew searched out actors, interviewed professionals, wrote a script, edited and spent hour after hour turning an idea into a movie that would become more than the team ever imagined it would be or that it could be.  “Community Heroes - From the Front Lines” became a story about rural B.C., and about the power of a community united.  It involved the police, COPS (Citizens on Patrol), a Victim Services worker, two full-time teachers and part-time producers/directors and a real life program set up to aid and protect victims of domestic violence.

The movie was released to the public in 2009.  It has been sent out to other rural communities as a teaching tool.  It is amazing to watch.  The movie shows how a few people can draw others like a magnet if the project is worthy.  It also shows how small town is not small minded.  The plan put in place by those that could showed innovation, bravery and compassion.

These people who drew in more people gathered together last weekend holding something shiny, touching a glass symbol that made them blatantly aware that their little project started around a table full of good food was not little.

Red Rock Productions entered and won two prestigious awards at the Toronto International Film Festival.  Three judges had a lot to say about the movie.  “It’s so good that praising this and that or finding this and that lacking just isn’t so.  Very good work.”

“Thanks on behalf of everyone who has seen or will see it.”

“This video looks very professional.”

Not bad praise for a group with lots of passion and enthusiasm from small town B.C..

“This was a team effort,” said Shirley Low.

“It was a privilege to work with the Low’s and the rest of the crew,” stated actor Monica Klein.

“This was a lovely and unexpected validation of all the work they’ve been doing with Red Rock Productions,” added musician Karen Smart, ‘”that started with Opportunities for Learning Program.”  To be given worldwide recognition is just wonderful.”

“This movie dealt with difficult issues and showed the strength of a community and their desire to end violence against women,” stated Doughty.

“It was a great experience to see how the community came together to help us make this production,” said Wah Fee.

“With a project like ours,” added Shirley, “we needed many different talents and we have them all right here in Princeton.  We are so lucky to have the talent and the volunteers to help us.  We focussed on violence against women and is  probably the most important film we will ever make.  I’m really proud of everybody.”

Best overall documentary and first in amateur documentary.