Hollywood
comes to Maine to give graciously back to those in need—
Governor
Baldacci escorts actress Victoria Rowell at the advance screening of the movie, Home of
the Brave. The movie addresses the war in Iraq and how families deal with the
traumatic effects when veterans return home.
by Ramona du
Houx
Last December
Portland became Hollywood for an evening. The red carpet was unrolled in front of the
Nickelodeon Cinemas, and actress Victoria Rowell, escorted by Governor Baldacci, walked
energetically along it to the theater, where an advanced screening of Rowell’s new
film, Home of the Brave was about to begin.
Proceeds from
the event benefited the Maine National Guard Foundation Fund, Camp to Belong Maine, and
the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Portland.
Maine has
Rowell to thank for bringing a Hollywood premiere to the state.
"Victoria
has never forgotten her Maine roots," said Governor Baldacci at the premiere.
"She is a true representative for the state and a wonderful role model. I’m
honored to accompany her tonight."
Born in
Portland, Maine, Victoria Rowell spent her entire childhood in the foster care system.
Under the auspices of the Ford Foundation, she received a full scholarship to the
Cambridge School of Ballet in Massachusetts — when she was only eight years old. She
flourished there, became a member of the American Ballet Theater, and participated in an
exchange program with the Julliard School of Music & Dance.
Rowell got her
acting break when she impressed Bill Cosby in an audition. Most will recognize the actress
from The Young and the Restless TV series. She received eleven NAACP Image Awards
and is involved with numerous charities. In 1990, she established The Rowell Foster
Children’s Positive Plan (RFCPP).
"She’s
a warmhearted person who cares deeply about children," said State Senator Michael
Brenen, who is on the board in Maine of the Casey Foundation, a charity for foster
children which Rowell supports.
In recognition
for her contribution in education, supporting foster children, and her work for human
rights, Rowell received the United Nations Association Award. Recently, she received an
Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the University of Southern Maine.
Lea Girardian,
director of the Maine Film Office, called Rowell and asked her if she could help Maine out
in some way. Rowell then asked the MGM studio for an advanced screening of the movie in
Maine. "Maine? They asked me. I said yes, Maine. And here we are," said Rowell.
"My mentors in Maine believed in me, I believe in Maine. It’s a special
place."
The screening
also helped highlight Maine’s new tax incentives for production studios to film in
Maine.
"Not only
do we have competitive tax incentives, we have a welcoming workforce that will go out of
their way to help in the production of a film," said Girardian. "That’s
important to film crews, directors, and actors. Maine also has any landscape imaginable,
and the light is magical. It’s the perfect place to make a movie."
Home of the
Brave opens nationwide in January, 2007. Rowell portrays a medical surgeon’s wife
in the movie.
Home of the
Brave breaks new ground in highlighting the traumatic difficulties that surround some
of our troops returning from war and the help that can be available to them. Similarities
have been drawn between the Iraq war and the Vietnam conflict. A major difference is that
during Vietnam the physiological services that we now have were nonexistent. U.S. Senator
Kerry (Mass) was instrumental in working to achieve these services for our veterans.
According to
General Libby, commander of Maine’s National Guard, a new study states that 20 to 30
percent of Maine’s National Guard who served in Iraq suffer from post traumatic
syndrome. "It’s a problem that needs recognition," said Libby, who attended
the premiere. "It was a good movie."
Over 150,000
veterans live in Maine. It’s clearly evident we need these services to continue, but
funding at the federal level has been cut back. Congressman Michaud, who serves on the
Veteran’s Committee, has been fighting for these services. "The cuts were
unconscionable," said Michaud.
It is hoped that Home of the
Brave will highlight the need for these services to be funded at a level that will
accommodate our service people. Please contact your U.S. senator and congressperson about
this important issue. These veterans served their country; now it’s time for their
country to serve them.
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