Gov. Jerry Brown's niece and a Modesto veteran who climbed in the Himalayas will speak about two documentaries screening at at the State Theatre in Modesto.
First up is Brown's niece, Sascha Rice, who will talk Tuesday at a showing of "California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown."
Next is Justin Moore, an Iraq War veteran, who comes to the theater Nov. 2 and Nov. 11 to talk about "High Ground," a film that follows a trek he and 10 other veterans took up Mt. Lobuche in the Himalayas with blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer.
• "California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown" — Rice's film centers on the legacy of California Gov. Pat Brown, Jerry Brown's father and her grandfather, who served in the 1960s. Rice wanted to showcase his story to posit that not all politicians are liars and cheats and that there are people who want to serve the public. "I thought we're heading toward a crisis in California and I thought we need to focus on someone who could give us inspiration."
The film covers Brown's impressive achievements, including the Fair Housing Act, the Fair Employment Act, the Master Plan for Higher Education, which made the state's public colleges and universities among the best in the world, the building of highways, and a massive public water project.
The movie also covers Brown's struggles, showing that he faced his share of criticism. As an example, he made the unpopular decision to scrutinize each death penalty case before signing execution papers.
"He was a major fighter for civil rights and I didn't know that before I did the film," Rice said. "California was racist just like the rest of the country and was not ready for true equality. He got a lot of push-back even from his supporters and unions."
Rice said her family members like the film, which is a relief. "It's a pretty balanced portrait of my grandfather," she said. "I talk about the great things he did but I do tell the truth."
• "High Ground" — Moore is only featured briefly in the documentary "High Ground" but he did participate in the trek it documents and he was on hand when much of the footage was filmed.
The trip took place two years ago. Moore, 30, was invited to participate when he was staying at an in-patient program in Napa for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Moore had never done mountain climbing before and had never dreamed he would get the opportunity to go to Nepal. "It was incredible," he said. "I don't think words can do it justice. It's breathtaking to say the least. We trekked 65 miles round trip."
Moore, a former sergeant with the Army National Guard, was stationed south of Baghdad for almost a year beginning in 2005. When he returned, he faced challenges with anger and losing his temper. He ended up in the in-patient program after he landed in jail on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon.
The trip to Nepal helped him heal. "The mountain's an analogy for some of the challenges you would face in life. I, for one, was very isolated because of my own doing. I had isolated myself and alienated people and damaged a lot of relationships and this was an opportunity to turn that around and make some changes."
Moore, who now makes T-shirts at a screen-printing shop in Turlock, will be joined at the screenings by John von Seeburg, a Bay Area resident and one of the cinematographers on "High Ground." Proceeds from the screenings will benefit Soldiers to Summits, the nonprofit that organized the trek Moore took, and Rivers of Recovery, a program which provides combat veterans with the opportunity to heal through fly fishing trips.
WHAT: Film: "California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown"
WHEN: 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. film Tuesday
WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKETS: $12
CALL: (209) 527-4697
ONLINE: www.thestate.org
• • •
WHAT: Film: "High Ground"
WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11
WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKETS: Nov. 2: $10 general, $8 veterans. Nov. 11: $8 general, $6 veterans
CALL: (209) 527-4697
ONLINE: www.thestate.org
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