Idaho premiere of "Ileana's Smile", a feature documentary directed by Brad Corrigan of Dispatch!

This documentary follows Corrigan after his life changing encounter with a family surviving in a trash dump in Nicaragua. A shimmer of light in a dark and dangerous place. So moved by what he saw, the hope and smiles of children living in such harsh and toxic conditions, Brad knew he had to act. This led to the founding of Love Light + Melody in 2008 and Ileana's School of Hope. A force for good, Love Light + Melody offers an opportunity for these children to grow and thrive through education, music, art, and sports. Over the past 15 years, the organization has built a global community of supporters and partners who are helping to fund their work in Nicaragua, and beyond. This special event will begin with a live introduction with Corrigan himself, the screening of "Ileana's Smile", followed by a live Q&A and fundraising afterparty, featuring live performances by Corrigan! Afterparty tickets are sold additionally on our ticketing page. All ticket proceeds for this event will benefit Love Light + Melody. Don't miss your chance to meet Brad in person as we celebrate his amazing music and hear about his incredible charitable efforts in Nicaragua and worldwide. www.lovelightandmelody.org

Brad Corrigan, Director and Producer:

Brad Corrigan is a creative visionary, living a unique and traveled life. As a member of the indie band, Dispatch, he has played and sold out some of the most storied venues across the United States including Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks, Red Bull Arena, the Boston Garden, and Radio City. A dynamic solo artist and communicator, through film, photography, and music, Brad's innate kindness touches those around him and inspires hope.

Documentary Synopsis:

"Ileana's Smile explores daily life within a trash dump community in Nicaragua, diving into the family life of a single mother with four daughters making a living scavenging for recyclables and food in the burning piles of trash where they've made their home. Ileana, the second daughter, is full of life, laughter, mischief, and curiosity. Brad Corrigan met Ileana in 2007, and in their first interaction, she pedals up to his taxi as he visits the dump, inviting the unsuspecting visitors out of their air-conditioned car into the heart of La Chureca. Her smile is infectious, and this small interaction ignites a heart-breaking journey and collision of culture, altering the fate of many.

Corrigan narrates his own journey, intersecting with Ileana's, over several years as he is drawn deeper into the trash dump community. He charts the evolution of his understanding, relationships, and ultimately, his altruism in step with the tragic events unfolding around him in the toxic landscape of La Chureca. Once a bright light within the darkness of the dump, Ileana and her sister Mercedes fall prey to the many abuses that plague the community living within its 3 square-kilometer border, leading to their sudden deaths as teenagers. Corrigan and a host of others try to rescue Ileana from addiction but fail to change her course."

Others Details

Category: Arts | Visual Arts | Film / Cinema