UA-Produced Documentary about Birmingham Anti-Violence Leader Premieres Jan. 23

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Center for Public Television and Radio at The University of Alabama is hosting a screening of its documentary film “Not My Son” Saturday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. at the Woodland Park Church of Christ in Birmingham.

“Not My Son” follows Birmingham resident Carolyn Johnson-Turner, founder of Parents Against Violence, or PAV, and its members over the course of several months.

Parents Against Violence Foundation was founded on March 1, 2004 by Johnson-Turner as a result of the anguish she experienced when her 20-year-old son, Rodreckus DeAndrew Johnson, was shot and killed while attending a birthday party.

PAV members, mainly women who have lost loved ones to gun violence, are on a personal mission to prevent other deaths. At the same time, their anti-violence activities serve as therapy to deal with their overwhelming grief.

“The core of “Not My Son” can be viewed as a microcosm of the violence occurring among young African-American males in the nation’s urban areas,” said Dwight Cammeron, producer/director of “Not My Son” and documentary television program director for the Center for Public Television.

Students often work on films and other projects in CPT. Ginger Jolly, a second degree-seeking student in telecommunication and film from Russellville, served as co-producer and co-editor of “Not My Son.”

“This documentary was an eye-opening experience, not only in witnessing a mother’s anguish and determination but also in how powerful and moving a documentary film can be,” Jolly said.

For more information about the documentary, visit http://cptr.squarespace.com/notmyson.

The Center for Public Television and Radio is a service department of the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences. It has been producing programming for broadcast on Alabama Public Television since 1955. Students gain valuable experience by working alongside staff professionals on a variety of projects.