Graduate Kevin Puotinen films project producer Cathy Growdon as she interviews Father Reynolds, winner of the Pax Christi Peace Award, at Clonard Monastery in Belfast.

When Hope and History Rhymed

A documentary about the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement in Northern Ireland will be shown
Thursday|Oct. 26|7:30 pm
Harlen Adams Theatre (PAC 144)

This documentary about the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement in Northern Ireland was filmed by alum Kelly Candaele and CSU, Chico students on a trip to Belfast in the summer of 2005. Candaele returned with three of the students to Belfast and then London for an interview with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Three CSU, Chico students had the rare privilege of a private meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair when they traveled to Belfast and London with CSU, Chico alum Kelly Candaele in mid-September. The meeting was set up by Candaele, who is overseeing a documentary film on the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement in Northern Ireland, When Hope and History Rhymed. Candaele took 15 Chico State students from various disciplines to Northern Ireland last summer to shoot the documentary. Tanner Songer, Jonny Lewis, and recent graduate Kevin Puotinen, as well as project producer Cathy Growdon, accompanied Candaele as the group conducted film interviews with leading religious leaders in Ireland.

“ It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Songer said, “particularly since the prime minister was in the middle of some very difficult political circumstances.”

“ It is rare to meet heads of state and rarer still to be able to sit across from them and have a conversation about policy,” said Lewis. When Hope and History Rhymed will be shown on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 pm in Harlen Adams Theatre (PAC 144). It will be distributed in colleges and universities throughout the country.

CSU, Chico delegation meets with Tony Blair. From left: Tanner Songer; Cathy Growdon; project producer, Kelly Candaele; Prime Minister Tony Blair; Kevin Puotinen; and Jonny Lewis.