Educators, parents and students are embracing Race to Nowhere, a new documentary that exposes this nation's silent epidemic of stressed-out kids, burned-out educators and deeply frustrated parents.
Vicki Abeles, director and first time film maker, was inspired to make Race to Nowhere when she became concerned about her own children.
Abeles, a mother of three and former Wall Street attorney, experienced this first hand when she realized the amount of stress her 12-year-old daughter was experiencing when she began having panic attacks in the middle of the night and abdominal pain which landed her in the emergency room.
Her daughter's condition prompted Abeles to investigate and speak to experts and try to understand the driving force of pressures placed on kids today. Abeles was stunned to learn that her daughter's condition was not unique and quickly learned about the soaring rates of childhood depression, suicide, cheating and the drop-out rate experienced in all types of communities.
"A high pressure, high stakes culture has invaded our schools and children's lives, creating unhealthy, disengaged, unprepared and stressed-out youth," stated Abeles.
The film looks at how today's youth are over-scheduled, pressured, pushed and coached on a daily basis. Raising mental health issues of depression, stress-related illness, anxiety disorders and burn-out to an all time high for kids.
Race to Nowhere features Dr. Madeline Levine, author of the best seller, The Price of Privilege; Dr. Deborah Stipek, Dean of the Stanford School of Education; Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, an adolescent medicine specialist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Dr. Wendy Mogel, author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee; Denise Pepe, author of Doing School; and Sara Bennett, author of The Case Against Homework.
Some organizations are offering free screenings.
The fee for ticket purchases online are $10.00+$1.54 fee.
Current showings in the bay area:
San Jose
Global School of Silicon Valley
November 4, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Williams Elementary School
November 4, 2010
7:00 p.m.
St. Martin of Tours School
November 17, 2010
7:00 p.m.
The Harker School
January 8, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Berkeley
Berkeley High School
November 4, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Cupertino
Bluelight Cinemas
November 4, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
November 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
December 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Fremont
Warm Springs Elementary School
November 4, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Los Gatos
Loma Prieta Community Center
November 4, 2010
6:45 p.m.
Palo Alto
First United Methodist Church
November 14, 2010
6:45 p.m.
Redwood City
Veterans Memorial Senior Center
November 2, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Santa Cruz
The Rio Theatre
November 4, 2010
7:00 p.m.
For more information about showings and times in other areas or to purchase tickets visit:
