Raw Art film students to screen work at Peabody Essex Museum

LYNN – Four student filmmakers learning their craft at the Raw Art Works studio in downtown Lynn will premiere their work during a special screening at the Peabody Essex Museum on Friday.The young filmmakers from the award-winning Real to Reel Film School will be the focus of a screening in the museum’s Morse Auditorium, 161 Essex St. in Salem, starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. The screenings will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a reception for the filmmakers.”Adrift” is a short comedy about a young girl who encounters a series of comical mishaps as she embarks to meet her father for the first time. It’s written and directed by Yesenia DeLeon, 17, of Lynn, a 2009 English High School graduate and prom queen. While a fictional narrative, the events in the film were culled from her own life, according to Chris Gaines, the Raw Art Works film school director.”A Crecer Como Una Persona” – translated as “To Grow Like a Person” – is a beautiful, moving documentary by Bryan De Leon, 18, of Lynn, about his father, who recently became homeless. It is a personal exploration of masculinity, family and growth, said Gaines, noting that the filmmaker is a 2009 graduate of Lynn Technical and Vocational Institute.”My Story” is a short, personal essay told entirely through rapid-fire, still images. A young woman, Tianny Marmelejos, 17, wonders what her life story is, and, why doesn’t she have a story to tell? Maybe she’s just at the beginning of her journey, said Gaines, noting the film is beautifully told, expertly crafted, and filled with humor and depth. Marmelejos co-created the film with 17-year-old Lynn resident Clinton Williams.”The Straight and Narrow” is a personal documentary by Yomayra Perez, 17, in which she explores what it means to be a lesbian in a conservative Dominican household.Through interviews, the audience hears her brother and mother express disappointment in the possibility that the young filmmaker is gay.Gaines warned that some of the film content may not be suitable for young children.For 21 years, Raw Art Works has used the power of the arts to inspire thousands of young artists to tell their stories, envision new possibilities, and transform their lives, said Gaines. The Real to Reel Film School is part of the many programs available to youth between six and 19 years old. It offers an opportunity to learn about cinematography, scriptwriting, directing and editing.For directions to the museum, go online to www.pem.org.