When I Get Grown

Film from the World House Project

Our colleague Clay Carson at the World House Project at Stanford drew our attention to the film, When I Get Grown, which documents in a very beautiful way the experience of one key participant--Dr. Bernard Lafayette-- in a movement that changed history. It just won Best Short Documentary at the 2022 Harlem International Film Festival.

We reached out to Clay to find out what motivated him to make this film with video producer and media curator, Chris Preitauer, and he had this to say:

The film is an outgrowth of my longstanding interest in education about freedom struggles expressed through scholarly writing—IN STRUGGLE—and documentary filmmaking —EYES ON THE PRIZE. It is based on a six-hour interview I did with a key participant in the 1961 Freedom Rides, but utilizes various narrative approaches designed to reach a diverse audience.

While this movement has been covered so very well, much of it thanks to Clay dedicating his life's work to sharing it, the vividness of Dr. Lafayette's recall, and his understanding of its place in the wider scheme of things, made for a hopeful, informative, and inspiring experience. We particularly appreciated the way the film centered the power of nonviolent discipline.

Contact the World House Project for screening opportunities.