Like Denzel Washington's feature film The Great Debaters, When I Rise retrieves a long-forgotten piece of Texas's contentious Civil Rights history. Not surprisingly, When I Rise was very well-received in its World Premiere at SXSW. The story of how Barbara Smith Conrad was denied the opportunity to perform in an Opera at the University of Texas-Austin at the dawn of Civil Rights movement provides a very personal window into the racism of that era. The film is beautiful and sensitively made and provides a story of redemption for both Conrad and ultimately the University which supported the project. This film should be widely viewed so that young people today can come to understand that today's more tolerant multicultural society has been achieved only through a long and difficult struggle that should never be forgotten. Conrad provides an excellent role model of grace and perseverance.
8 Reviews
A life of courage, hope and love
alt051223 March 2010
The life of Barbara Smith Conrad is one of courage, hope and love. This film tells her story through the struggle, disappointments, perseverance, and ultimate success of a girl whose love of music and hope for an education brought her to the University of Texas during the Civil Rights movement and placed her at the center of racial controversy in Texas.
I saw this premiere at SXSW and a week later am still thinking about the importance of this story. Important because it documents an era in our history that should never be forgotten and important because it reminds us what can be achieved even against great odds.
Mat Hames directed a beautiful film that draws you in not just with the story itself, but with the music, photography, interviews, original photos and film footage. I laughed, I cried, I felt shame for a time in our history, and I felt joy for the life of Barbara Smith Conrad. I loved this film - a perfect 10!!!
I saw this premiere at SXSW and a week later am still thinking about the importance of this story. Important because it documents an era in our history that should never be forgotten and important because it reminds us what can be achieved even against great odds.
Mat Hames directed a beautiful film that draws you in not just with the story itself, but with the music, photography, interviews, original photos and film footage. I laughed, I cried, I felt shame for a time in our history, and I felt joy for the life of Barbara Smith Conrad. I loved this film - a perfect 10!!!
Does it feel as good being a hero as it does having one?
fraktol14 March 2010
I am biased because I am a student of opera.
I also buy into films easily, and become emotional when my heartstrings are tugged.
That said, I still feel this film is beautiful. From the opening strains of an off-key, country piano, to the hopeful face of a young performer who sings as the closing credits roll, this movie out-lined the struggles and successes of African American Opera Diva, Barbara Smith Conrad, with sensitivity and humor carefully balanced throughout the entire journey.
Part history lesson, part biography, part inspiration, the film is full of poignant moments as Barbara struggles to reconcile her difficult path to success.
The viewer is left at the end with a sense of hope and a faith in dreams and, perhaps, a new hero in the form of an elegant woman from rural Texas who took on the world.
I highly recommend!
I also buy into films easily, and become emotional when my heartstrings are tugged.
That said, I still feel this film is beautiful. From the opening strains of an off-key, country piano, to the hopeful face of a young performer who sings as the closing credits roll, this movie out-lined the struggles and successes of African American Opera Diva, Barbara Smith Conrad, with sensitivity and humor carefully balanced throughout the entire journey.
Part history lesson, part biography, part inspiration, the film is full of poignant moments as Barbara struggles to reconcile her difficult path to success.
The viewer is left at the end with a sense of hope and a faith in dreams and, perhaps, a new hero in the form of an elegant woman from rural Texas who took on the world.
I highly recommend!
A Must See for Arts and Civil Rights Educators !
eryn-735-3988711 May 2010
Director Mat Hames and editor Sandra Guardado delicately captured the wonderful story of our heroine, her conflict, and triumphs in as graceful a manner as the subject herself. Barbara Smith Conrad's fluid and elegant nature innately captivates her audience right from the start.
Live footage with a renowned superstar, mentor and supporter adds to the sweet pleasure of viewing this film. The beautiful, lush green Texas scenery and wholesome Center Point community creates a richly tasteful experience.
When I Rise is a must see for music enthusiasts, arts and civil rights educators and students alike, with an unavoidable true to life message at its core.
Live footage with a renowned superstar, mentor and supporter adds to the sweet pleasure of viewing this film. The beautiful, lush green Texas scenery and wholesome Center Point community creates a richly tasteful experience.
When I Rise is a must see for music enthusiasts, arts and civil rights educators and students alike, with an unavoidable true to life message at its core.
Fascinating....
CurtHerzstark5 May 2012
The life and trials of Barbara Smith Conrad is a story I've never heard about before. In fact I'll go so far as to say that I never heard of her before or listen to her performances.
Odd, since I like opera and don't mind listening to it.
Barbara Smith Conrad is a African American woman who is/was musically gifted, starts interesting herself for opera and developing her skills as an mezzo-soprano.
But the USA at this time, and in her state, Texas is racially segregated. When US supreme court rules that racial segregation is no longer allowed Barbara Smith Conrad gets accepted to Texas university.
But when she gets the main part in an opera, playing the love affection opposite a white male lead her problems starts...
Barbara Smith Conrads story is a documentary about injustice, racism, hatred, but also courage, integrity, friendship and overcoming adversities.
Nowadays USA has a black president but once ethnical minorities of USA couldn't even eat at the same restaurants with white people. America has come a long way, but racism is still a problem not only in the USA but worldwide.
Therefore these kind of docs are very important, not only as a historical document but also as an reminder that struggle against hatred, bigotry, continues.
Odd, since I like opera and don't mind listening to it.
Barbara Smith Conrad is a African American woman who is/was musically gifted, starts interesting herself for opera and developing her skills as an mezzo-soprano.
But the USA at this time, and in her state, Texas is racially segregated. When US supreme court rules that racial segregation is no longer allowed Barbara Smith Conrad gets accepted to Texas university.
But when she gets the main part in an opera, playing the love affection opposite a white male lead her problems starts...
Barbara Smith Conrads story is a documentary about injustice, racism, hatred, but also courage, integrity, friendship and overcoming adversities.
Nowadays USA has a black president but once ethnical minorities of USA couldn't even eat at the same restaurants with white people. America has come a long way, but racism is still a problem not only in the USA but worldwide.
Therefore these kind of docs are very important, not only as a historical document but also as an reminder that struggle against hatred, bigotry, continues.
Excellent and Moving Story
scttfrgsn22 March 2010
Saw this movie when it premiered in Austin at South By Southwest. This is a powerful movie that tells the amazing story of Barbara Smith Conrad, the impact of racism on her as a student at the University of Texas and on her career, and how she overcame all of it to become one of the most famous women in opera. The director, Mat Hames, does an amazing job capturing the hurt and the hope and taking the audience along the journey of Mrs. Conrad. The movie is beautifully filmed, using many original photos, newspaper headlines, and news footage and interviews from the day intermingled with current and more recent footage and interviews. 10 stars without reservation!
Beautiful, insightful, a must see!
Itwasbetterthancats27 March 2010
When I Rise was beautiful and insightful. It made me think about what it means to be an artist and a policy maker. I cried about four times. Sometimes I was crying for Ms. Conrad, other times I was crying for the mistakes of our culture, sometimes I was crying because we've come so far, and other times I was crying because we have so far to go (see Tarleton State University cancels gay Jesus play, March 2010). When I Rise was beautifully filmed and directed. It provides exactly what a documentary is supposed to it. It lets the story tell itself, it touches your heart, and it calls you to action. I hope it gets a wide distribution, and soon!
The life of Barbara Smith Conrad--quite inspiring and fascinating as well.
planktonrules20 February 2012
Barbara Smith Conrad came to the attention of the media when she was in college at the University of Texas. She was chosen for the lead in a school opera but HUGE problems came about because she was black and the leading man was white. Nowadays, such a thing is no big deal but in segregated Texas of the late 1950s, it was a HUGE deal--with even national newspapers and the famous singer Harry Belafonte getting into the fray! However, this is only PART of the story. It seems that it was only the beginning for Conrad, as she jumped from this event to New York--and to a serious career in the music industry--becoming a famous opera diva. So, the film is NOT just about racism but about her life following this event. Interesting and well worth seeing.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
