‘Silent Storytellers’ to premiere on AETN March 11
Documentary explores history, culture, importance
of preserving Arkansas’s cemeteries
CONWAY, Ark. (AETN) — “Silent Storytellers,” an original documentary
produced by the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN), will
premiere on AETN Thursday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m.
“Like many others, I used to drive by cemeteries and not give them a
second thought, but by becoming aware of some the people who are
passionate about preserving cemeteries and listening to their stories, I
have had a true awakening,” Hop Litzwire, who co-produced, directed,
edited and filmed the documentary, said. “I now realize that without an
appreciation of our cemeteries, we disconnect ourselves, historically and
culturally, from our communities and ultimately from our society as a
whole.”
Filmed over two years and co-produced by AETN’s Casey Sanders, “Silent
Storytellers” explores the cultural, artistic and personal stories
cemeteries provide to the surrounding communities. Guided by author and
cemetery researcher Abby Burnett, “Silent Storytellers” visits cemeteries
in Boone, Crawford, Franklin, Hempstead, Johnson, Lawrence, Newton,
Pulaski, Searcy and Sevier counties and features tombstones with tales of
murder, family heirlooms and folk-art inspired carvings.
“The number one thing that interests me in cemeteries is the sense that
you’re walking into an area filled with stories if you can just extract
them,” Burnett said.
“Silent Storytellers” also features information about the best techniques
for preserving, repairing and maintaining tombstones, presented by
Elizabeth Norton of Norton Fine Arts Conservation.
“I think people would be surprised at what can be done,” Norton said.
“We’ve had stones that may be in a dozen pieces.
“You have to do a lot of pinning and a lot of fill, but when you put it
back together it’s a really beautiful thing to see the monument that was
made for this person become whole again.”
Also featured in the documentary are interviews with: Mica Balcom, Stone
Preservation Specialist, Norton Fine Arts Conservation; Dr. Juliet Morrow,
Arkansas State University Jonesboro, and Dr. Jamie C. Brandon, Southern
Arkansas University, Station Archeologists, Arkansas Archeological Survey;
Dr. Jami Lockhart, University of Arkansas, Archeogeophysical Research,
Arkansas Archeological Survey; Fayth Hill Washington, Scott Cemetery
Preservationist; Norman Johnson and Phyllis Rogers, Paraloma Cemetery
Association Volunteer; Randy Smith, liaison for Fairview Cemetery; and
Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis and Carla Coleman, Preservation of African American
Cemeteries.
“In my 20 years as executive producer at AETN, I have no hesitation in
saying that ‘Silent Storytellers’ is one of the most unique, creative and
beautiful films we’ve ever produced,” AETN Director of Production Carole
Adornetto said.
Visit www.aetn.org/silentstorytellers for behind-the-scenes clips,
additional interviews and downloadable information about tombstone
cleaning.
“Silent Storytellers” will repeat on AETN Saturday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m.
and Sunday, March 14, at noon, and on AETN-2 Sunday, March 21, at 6:30 a.m.
Funding for “Silent Storytellers” is provided by the Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program, a division of the Arkansas Department of Heritage.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (www.aetn.org) provides
lifelong learning opportunities, improves and enhances Arkansans’ lives
and celebrates the unique culture of Arkansas through its programming and
services. AETN’s transmitters and numerous cable system connections give
it statewide reach.
