announced its 2013 list of accepted films. From more than 300 submissions,
50 professionally produced films representing 30 world countries have been
selected to screen at this year’s Sept. 3-7 Festival. Among those
selected, “Heart of the Andes” is the only locally produced professional
documentary film accepted.
Filmed on location in Peru in 2012, “Heart of the Andes” tells the story
of the international humanitarian organization Heart Walk Foundation based
in southern Utah. Cofounders Tim and Penelope Eicher (Tim is a university
professor and Penelope a mental health therapist) learned of the plight of
the Q'ero Tribes living high in the Andes Mountains while they were
traveling in Peru ten years ago. Through the eyes of a small boy, the film
describes how Heart Walk Foundation is bringing hope and opportunity to a
once forgotten and impoverished people.
“We are thrilled that this touching short film was accepted among so many
submissions from around the world,” Heart Walk Foundation Co-founder
Penelope Eicher said. “This film builds a bridge across two continents and
takes viewers truly into the heart of the Andes Mountains and into the
lives of the indigenous and impoverished Q’ero people.”
“Heart of the Andes” celebrated its world premiere in February at the
Heart Walk Foundation’s Annual Gala in St. George, Utah. “We were very
pleased to see the audience reaction to this touching film and look
forward to festivalgoers being able to experience the purpose and mission
of Heart Walk Foundation on the big screen,” Penelope Eicher said.
According to Myke Bush, co-producer of the film, “There is something very
genuine and unforgettable about the way this story tells itself,” he said.
“Working on this film taught me the significance and resilience of human
nature, and the hope that education and assistance can bring to a people
so destitute and desperate to survive.”
According to Brian Tenney of the film’s representing agency, TCS
Advertising and Public Relations, “Heart of the Andes” will debut its
national film tour after screening at the DOCUTAH Film Festival in
September. “Our goal and primary focus is to help Heart Walk Foundation
raise the funds they need to meet the request of the Q’ero tribal leaders
for greenhouses,” Tenney said.
In May, the Eichers made their annual trek to the high mountain Q’ero
villages where tribal leaders expressed enthusiasm for the 30 initial
Heart Walk funded greenhouses with a request for 75 more to be built by
2015. Having survived for centuries on potato crops – the only vegetable
they could grow above the tree line at 15,000 feet ¬– Heart Walk
Foundation introduced trout farm and greenhouse projects to bring vitamins
and nutrients to the Q’ero diet.
“One hundred new greenhouses would give every family a garden to grow and
tend to,” Penelope Eicher said. “In a country where we have access to so
many modern amenities, it is difficult to comprehend how much a gift like
this truly means to a mountain community subsisting on potatoes and tubers
for nearly 500 years.”
According to Tenney, “We are thrilled to be able to assist Heart Walk
Foundation and the beautiful people of Peru by taking this film on the
road and allowing supporters to participate in this Growing a Mountain
Garden yearlong campaign.”
The mission of Heart Walk Foundation is to support the preservation of the
Q’ero people and their native culture and traditional community living
through improved agriculture, education, and health initiatives. The
organization is supported by a national board of directors and more than
700 international supporters. For more information, go to
www.heartwalkfoundation.org or call (435) 619-0797 to become involved. ###
Additional Quote:
“By watching this film, our supporters can now get a personal glimpse into
the lives and hearts of the Q’ero people they have been helping for so
many years. And to new supporters, once you see this film, you will want
to be involved for many years to come. The story is remarkably touching.”
– Penelope Eicher
CAPTIONS
Filmmakers: "Heart of the Andes" is the only locally produced film to be
accepted to the 2013 DOCUTAH International Film Festival to be held in St.
George, Utah in September. Of 307 entries, 50 films were accepted
representing 30 countries, commonwealths and republics. Three of the 50
were produced by Utah filmmakers including "Heart of the Andes," produced
by editor Myke Bush, writer and director Melynda Thorpe Burt, and sound
engineer Keith R. Owen. All hail from St. George, Utah.
tells the story of a people living high in the Andes Mountains on the
brink of starvation 10 years ago. This never-before-told story chronicles
the work of Tim and Penelope Eicher of southern Utah who happened upon the
plight of the Q'ero people while traveling in Peru in 2003. Since then,
they have built a community of supporters to introduce education,
nutrition, and hope for a bright future.
