Untitled Document
For the past 37 years, Diana Braun and Kathy Conour
have been inseparable. Braun, who has Down syndrome, and Conour, who has
cerebral palsy, decided more than three decades ago that they were not
meant for an institution. Instead, the pair built a house in Springfield,
moved in together, and have been fighting for disability rights ever since.
Five years ago, their story of friendship and
defiance inspired Oscar-nominated director Alice Elliott, who began
traveling to Springfield from New York City to document their lives. The finished product, “Body and Soul: Diana and
Kathy,” will premiere at 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the
Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams St. The sponsoring organizations — United Cerebral
Palsy Land of Lincoln, Springfield Arc, and the Springfield Center for
Independent Living — are asking for $5 contributions at the afternoon
showing and for $10 contributions at the evening showing. Karen DeLay, SCIL community resource coordinator,
says that Braun and Conour have been pillars of the community for years,
and she hopes that people will come learn more about their
difference-making journey. Plus, she says, it doesn’t hurt that the
film is already generating buzz as an Academy Award contender.
“They’re talking about possible
nomination for this film under documentaries in the Academy Awards,”
DeLay says. “That’s really exciting for the town of
Springfield, because I don’t think anything like that has ever
happened here.”
Tickets are available at the door but can also be
purchased in advance; call UCP at 217-525-6522, SPARC at 217-793-2100, or
SCIL at 217-523-2587.
Contact Amanda Robert at arobert@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Nov 8-14, 2007.
