Ballou band movie gets first lady’s thumbs-up

Bush hosted band members and the band’s director during a screening of a new film about them that has been gaining national attention. “Ballou: A Documentary,” follows the struggles and successes of the Southeast D.C. school through the eyes of the band and flag team.

In introducing the 90-minute movie, Bush hailed band leader Darrell Watson as an “adult who’s made a difference” in each of the students’ lives.

“It’s an example of what America’s adults can do if they stay involved in the lives of our young people,” the first lady said from the East Room.

Situated in the D.C. ward with the highest poverty, teenage pregnancy and drop-out rates, Ballou has historically been known more for its crime than its academic success.

The documentary doesn’t gloss over the violence that’s infiltrated the campus, showing black-and-white images of fights and students being scanned by metal detectors after one of their own was killed on the campus. But producer Casey Callister told The Examiner he and director Michael Patrei wanted to portray much more than this negative aspect of the school.

“We wanted to show that if you give students an outlet, they can achieve anything,” he said. “Ballou can represent any inner-city school that has struggled.”

Callister’s wife is a teacher at the impoverished school who insisted that her husband meet the inspiring band leader.

Once he did, the idea for the documentary was born.

The filming took place from last August to November. Then the volunteer crew spent several months conducting interviews to finish up the work. During this process Callister was robbed at gunpoint while near another D.C. school, a reminder of the continuing safety problems, he said.

The documentary was featured recently on “The Ellen Degeneres Show.”

The next step is to enter the documentary in a number of film festivals over the coming year.

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com