"Many Bones, One Heart"
Pardon me. This is a late thank you note, but it's important enough to make sure not another week goes by before thanking Leslie Ann Epperson for the gift she's given Tucson in her documentary, "Many Bones, One Heart," which explains, honors and tells the story of the All Souls Procession. The annual Tucson event, first started by Susan Kay Johnson and then carried on and forward by Nadia Hagen and Paul Weir, brings together tens of thousands of people to honor the dead, the past and sometimes the changes Tucson has experienced the past couple of decades.
"Many Bones, One Heart," made its debut at the Arizona International Film Festival, opening the festival week followed by a second screening, giving more folks a chance to understand the festival better, its visual expanse and ultimately it's importance in our cultural landscape. I watched it almost from the beginning in tears—not tears of sadness, but just the emotion of watching this important story unfold and recognizing it as a gift. I was happy, happy to see on the screen a true Tucson story. I still think back to one of Hagen's quotes in the documentary and how Tucson that quote alone is: "Part of it is education, is having people understand, what does it take to create your own culture. You can have your own culture just handed to you from some corporation—or you can create it." Many in the Rialto that opening night cheered including me, plus a sigh. It is a good reminder about what we create in our city, how we create a life. It doesn't have to look like a city or life that everyone else has. It's ours and we've always been a little different to begin with. So ... so thanks Leslie, for the reminder, the good tears and the gift of "Many Bones, One Heart."
— Mari Herreras, mherreras@tucsonweekly.com
