Mark Laita, a filmmaker and photographer in Los Angeles, will visit LMU on April 19, 2023, to share a curated collection of “Soft White Underbelly.” The screening goes from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Laita, who has more than 4.5 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, said his goal is to humanize others who lack the means to tell their stories.
José García Moreno, the director of ACTI, will lead a panel discussion during the screening. “Laita’s work is non-judgmental, which allows the viewer to walk along in compassion by experiencing stories with a sense of deep humanity,” said García Moreno. “ACTI believes in humanizing others through their own stories.”
Hearing stories of the voiceless and of human beings at the margins is not only an ethical call, but also a cinematic necessity. Laita’s work isn’t easy, but his reputation is growing as a documentary filmmaker. He converses with people who seem unapproachable and allows audiences to find dignity when trauma overwhelms the least fortunate. The goal of this event is not to shock, entertain, or haunt. The stories range from people who are fentanyl addicts, victims of sexual trafficking, heroin addict, etc.
García Moreno believes this type of work ties into ACTI’s mission. “Accompanying others, listening to others, acting with justice to support others, and seeing others are pillars of our mission based on the values of Ignatian spirituality,” said García Moreno. This is a community event; LMU students, faculty, and staff may RSVP through LEO here.
The LMU School of Film and Television and The Academy of Catholic Thought and Imagination are co-sponsoring this event.
