The Great New Wonderful
reaching out to those affected by 9/11 through exploring the often unpredictable nature of shock and trauma.
Inspired by “The Great New Wonderful,” the goal of the Outreach Program is to reach out to those affected by 9/11 and connect them to organizations that can help them.
To help address this pressing need, the filmmakers partnered with Art Catalyst, an organization dedicated to using the arts as a tool for education, activism, and public awareness, to create an outreach program which uses “The Great New Wonderful” as a vehicle for exploring the often unpredictable nature of shock and trauma.
In “The Great New Wonderful” 9/11 is an unseen force, never directly shown, yet an undeniable contributor to the complex emotions its characters are struggling with.
Director Danny Leiner explains, “I began developing the script in the spring of 2002. At that particular moment in time, the specter of 9/11 was inescapable. At times it was daunting, feeling like too much of a sacred cow for us to address. But it was unavoidable, and ultimately, it was galvanizing.”
As part of the outreach program, the filmmakers, actors, and non-profit organizations that helped in recovery efforts after September 11th sat down together to talk about the arts should play in helping 9/11 sufferers recuperate.
Art Catalyst brings together the world of Hollywood and non-profits in a town hall style meeting on how the arts can help those touched by 9/11.
At the event, “Healing After 9/11: A Conversation with Artists and Activists”, Danny Leiner, producer Matt Tauber, and film actor/comedian Jim Gaffigan spoke with people affected by the attack and many 9/11 support organizations including:
• World Cares Center - September Space,
• The Arab American Family Support Center
• Mental Health Association of New York City - 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program
• The Aircraft Casualty Emotional Support Services.
The filmmakers were also joined by artists whose paintings focus on healing after 9/11 – Loren Ellis and Melissa Reed of the art therapy organization Art for Healing.
9/11 support organizations have been quick to back the film and outreach program. Corey Wells Braun of Aircraft Casualty Emotional Support Services says, “Watching the film characters’ emotional struggle allows us to connect with our own.”
“Just like in the film, after 9/11 many people sense something is wrong but can’t articulate it,” said Janet Lemonnier of the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program, another partner in the outreach program.
This has been one of the biggest challenges in treating people suffering from shock – the effects often take years to surface and can be completely unconscious. That’s why harnessing the emotional power of films like “The Great New Wonderful” continues to be so important.