The GCFC hosts our 5th annual Film Forward Documentary Spotlight, featuring the locally-produced DRY BONES.
Explore the art of documentary filmmaking in a FREE workshop that goes behind-the-scenes of the locally produced film, DRY BONES. This workshop will provide an overview of the documentary filmmaking process, offering valuable insights into the creative process, respectful storytelling, and navigating sensitive issues.
FILM SYNOPSIS
DRY BONES tells the gripping and emotional tale of Ike Maxwell, a legendary Black football player from the 1970s whose life is upended when his brother is tragically shot and killed by a white police officer in Elyria, OH - a city long plagued by racial tension. This incident thrusts Ike into a world of unrelenting hardship, grief, and trauma, compounded by the physical toll of brain injuries sustained over the years.
Sherman Jones, a passionate local community organizer, draws a poignant parallel between Ike's story and the biblical tale of Ezekiel's dry bones. "How are we going to breathe life into these dry bones?" Jones asks in the film. This question resonates not only for Ike but for the entire city of Elyria.
Imbued with religious undertones, the film presents football as a near-sacred experience for Black Elyrians who once revered Ike Maxwell as their hero. A central question then emerges: how do you revive a fallen hero? The answer lies in the power of community. DRY BONES showcases communal strength, offering a moving testament to the enduring omnipotence of a relatively obscure Black community in the heart of a rust belt city in Ohio.
Directed by Dr. Tara Conley
Assistant Professor, School of Media & Journalism, Kent State University
The 2026 Film Forward Documentary Spotlight is presented by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, David & Kristen St. Pierre, and the DiSanto Family Foundation. The Film Forward Documentary Spotlight is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
This program is also made possible with support from Community Sponsors including Karamu House and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts, KeyBank, The Reinberger Foundation, Community Foundation of Lorain County, and EATON.
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