SXSW Review: For Once in My Life

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For Once In My Life

Of all the SXSW films that I saw this year, two of my top-ranked films were documentaries that share a common message of overcoming odds to achieve a dream and inspire others. One was Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission, for which you can read my review. The other film that I found inspiring that shatters preconceptions is For Once in My Life, which won the Best Documentary Feature Audience Award at SXSW this year.

For Once in My Life takes viewers on a journey with several members of The Spirit of Goodwill Band, all who face a wide range of severe mental and physical challenges. The central characters of this story are on the extreme opposite of the socioeconomic scale and face much different challenges, but like Richard Garriott they want to share their story and music with the intent of inspiring others. This heartwarming film brings to light what people with disabilities can achieve when given the right opportunities and support from family as well as their work environment.

The Spirit of Goodwill Band is the basis of the music program at Goodwill Industries, which was implemented to facilitate the improvement of social and recreational skills, community integration and personal adjustment for people with disabilities. The participant singers and musicians have a variety of physical, developmental, and psychological disabilities such as autism, mental retardation, Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy, visual impairments and behavioral disorders. Initiated in 1981 as a group of vocalists, it became a tradition for them to sing at the Holiday Party and as well as the Annual Business meeting of Goodwill.

In 1996, Javier Peña joined Goodwill as the new music program director to guide the group's training and performances. Peña observed that some of the participants had a natural talent to play musical instruments, and the idea to develop this talent was immediately supported by the administration. For all involved in the program, this was a new challenge since most of them had no previous musical experience.

Through behind-the-scenes footage of their home lives and concert footage, For Once in My Life allows the audience get to know several band members intimately as they prepare for a major concert. The band was invited to play for the U.S. Mayor's Convention in June 2008. This performance was more than they'd ever imagined as they played to an audience of over 1,000 people, made up of mayors from 440 U.S. cities, their families and the city's special guests. The pressure on any band whose largest audience prior to this prestigous audience had been at the local VA hospital would be overwhelming. For The Spirit of Goodwill Band it meant getting out of an environment where they felt safe and comfortable into a tight space with audio feedback making it even more stressful.

For Once in My Life introduces eight of the 29 members, which might seem a bit overreaching until you learn about each individual -- I found myself wanting to find out about the remaining members too. We first meet Terry, the blind and damaged lead singer and saxophone player who was dropped at 14 months and never fully recovered mentally and physically. His positive demeanor and spirit lifts all those around him. Terry speaks of his desire to be treated "with respect and dignity," and how music has broadened his horizon to interact with people.

Then there's percussionist Melissa, who at birth weighed only 2.5 pounds and was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome. Doctors wanted to put her in a home, stating that she would never talk or walk. Yet as an employee at Goodwill Industries, she is inspired to finish her work so that she can go to choir. The next member we see is Christian, who despite his autism and blindness is an amazing pianist. At the age of four years old he found organization in sounds and would create compositions on the piano at home. He describes how he wants to become a famous musician and have the whole world will hear him play.

Nancy, a soprano, is another main character we get to know well, and she is seen running her own household as the caregiver of her siblings -- her brother was injured at birth, and her sister was slow. Their father hit them a lot which made their condition worse. Although she was born normal, her lifetime with her mentally handicapped siblings has left her with mental slowness. Sam, the drummer, was not able to develop properly in his mother's womb because of her desire to conceal her pregnancy, resulting in both physical and mental problems. His involvement in the band has helped him to grow socially. Sam is engaged to vocalist Patricia, who helps him control his anger, and they talk about raising a family together. Band member Jary has behavioral problems, and risks being removed from the band as they prepare for an important concert.

These are just a few of the inspirational band members we meet in For Once in My Life. Leading and grounding the group is music director Javier Peña, who asks for "not 110 percent, but 150!" He is vibrant and engaging, and knows how to work with each individual's needs. He always had dreams of directing an orchestra.

For Once in My Life director/cinematographer Mark Moormann and film editor Amy Foote combined their talents with collaborating directors Jim Bigham and Javier Peña to create a cinema verite style of storytelling that engages the audience. I was touched and enamored by each of the individuals of this story, even Jary when he has trouble concentrating. The music selection was amazing, and I still find myself singing songs that were played by the band.

Music empowers The Spirit of Goodwill Band members, improving their lives as well as of those around them. For Once in My Life shows the daily struggles that each of these special individuals must face -- special in the sense that despite their mental and physical disabilities, they want to share the gift of music with the world. To paraphase one of the older members who has autism -- "We have to get out there and play, to be an inspiration to others." That statement left me humbled and inspired.

For Once in My Life and The Spirit of Goodwill Band share important lessons of hope and courage in the face of adversity. As Javier Pena states, it shows "what people with disabilities can do when given an opportunity to develop their full human potential." For Once in My Life an uplifting and inspiring "must-see" film.