Documentary film about Bakari Sellers to premiere on SCETV

While I Breathe, I Hope

For immediate release:
April 4, 2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- "While I Breathe, I Hope," a documentary feature film about South Carolina politician and CNN commentator Bakari Sellers, will premiere on South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV) at 6 p.m. on April 7. Immediately following the film, Beryl Dakers of "Palmetto Scene" will sit down with filmmaker Emily Harrold to discuss the making of the documentary.

Directed by Orangeburg, S.C. native Emily Harrold and titled after the South Carolina state motto, "While I Breathe, I Hope" explores the history and legacy of racism in American politics through the experiences of South Carolina politician Bakari Sellers. The film follows Sellers on his 2014 campaign for lieutenant governor, a position that hasn’t been held by an African American since the 1870s. The film also traces Sellers through the Charleston Massacre and removal of the Confederate flag.

This airing of "While I Breathe, I Hope" follows a film festival and college tour of the documentary that has included the New Orleans Film Festival, where the film won an audience award; DOC NYC; the Cleveland Film Festival; and, most recently, South Carolina’s Indie Grits Film Festival, where the film won the People’s Grit award.

In addition to the airing of "While I Breathe, I Hope," on April 4, father and son duo Dr. Cleveland Sellers, Jr. and Bakari Sellers will join Beryl Dakers at 7:30 p.m. on SCETV's "Palmetto Scene" to discuss the past, present and future of race relations in our state and country.

QUOTES:

"'While I Breathe, I Hope' encapsulates so much. I think one of the things my father’s generation and my father taught me, specifically, is you always have to maintain some semblance of hope even when it’s at its darkest hour. A lot of time, us black folk, it’s all we have. We have our faith, and we have our hope." -South Carolina politician and CNN commentator Bakari Sellers

“I am so excited that "While I Breathe, I Hope" will air on ETV. I’m really thrilled to have as many South Carolinians as possible see this important story from our state." -"While I Breathe, I Hope" Director Emily Harrold 

FIVE FAST FACTS:

  • "While I Breathe, I Hope" will premiere on SCETV at 6 p.m. on April 7.
  • The film explores the history and legacy of racism in American politics through the experiences of South Carolina politician Bakari Sellers.
  • Immediately following the film, Beryl Dakers will sit down with filmmaker Emily Harrold to discuss the making of the documentary.
  • On April 4, father and son duo Dr. Cleveland Sellers, Jr. and Bakari Sellers will join Beryl Dakers at 7:30 p.m. on SCETV's "Palmetto Scene" to discuss the past, present and future of race relations in our state and country.
  • The film recently won awards at both the New Orleans Film Festival and South Carolina’s own Indie Grits Film Festival.

About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio

South Carolina ETV is the state's public educational broadcasting network. Using television, radio and diverse digital properties, ETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning. ETV currently presents A Chef’s Life, Expeditions, Reel South, Yoga in Practice and Live from Charleston Music Hall on public television in addition to the national radio production, Chamber Music from Spoleto Festival USA.