Broadcast Endorsements:

Comedians are at the frontline when it comes to pushing the limits of hot button topics in society. Comedy allows them to tackle subjects that can polarize a society. Humor pokes at painful truths and topics that are top of mind for people, but which can be difficult to admit to or discuss without a heated argument. Teja Arboleda has a strong history in creating thoughtful programming.
-- Scott Dwyer, Program Director, KQED-TV, San Francisco, CA

It was my pleasure to meet Marc Yaffee (one of the comedians that you interviewed) and had the opportunity to attend his comedy performance. I found his act to be an honest and enlightening treatment of the multiracial-diversity issue, through humor. Our station would be very interested in showing your documentary, Crossing The Line.
-- Vickie Killion, Communications Director, Southern Oregon Public Television

The documentary examines the lives and work of multiracial comedians in a racially divided America is one that I feel would be well received by our viewers. Comedy can be an effective way to discuss the explosive and sensitive subject of racism. The topic is extremely current and the creative way you have chosen to document it will be engaging and thought provoking.
-- Kathryn Larsen, Program Director, WSBE-TV (RIPBS)

I've heard of people laughing until they cried, but this documentary let me cry until I laughed.
The insidious effects of racism are hard to identify, examine and heal. But through humor,
we can creep closer to the core of understanding. Thanks for this documentary.
- Desiree Cooper, Co-Host, Weekend America -- NPR / American Public Media

Crossing the Line an amazing documentary: thoughtful, insightful, created with authentic passion
for the subject. It is a documentary that should be a part of the entire American school system.
- Barry M. Miller, Founder/CEO, eye4music, Inc.

A humorous, eye-opening examination of the collision between personal identity and comedy.
- Sean Fitzroy, Award-Winning Filmmaker

Poignant, hilarious, provocative.  A landmark work.
- Bob Eiland, President, Network Profiles, Inc.

Entertaining, informative, and gives us all something to reflect on and discuss.
- Mary Cardaras, The New England Institute of Art

Your film was incredibly thought provoking. The way you brought multi-racial issues
to light and into public discourse through the eyes of comedians is inspirational!
- Rhonda Moskowitz/Founding Member, Connect the Docs

This is a superb "let's talk about it!" film; it really makes you think about and discuss some
important and touchy topics that badly need our attention.  You will not be able to stay
quiet after watching it.
- Holly Fulton, Teacher; Participant in the documentary, "Traces of the Trade"

Crossing the Line is provocative filmmaking. By showing us what is in the box, it challenges us
to think outside the box.
 - Joan Quinn Eastman, Media Consultant / Producer 

Crossing the Line is one of those documentaries that opens conversational spaces for the
hard to talk about issues. It's funny, and its real!
- Deborah Washington, Mass General Hospital, Director of Diversity, Patient Care

Very well done, courageous, painful, yet funny and insightful. We laughed but we also thought
deeply about how we've hurt others.
- Ed Wagner, VP Marketing, Assembla; Temple Beth Elohim, Board Member

Brilliant!  Your film will be a blessing to both younger and older adults who deal with these
controversial topics in their lives, as well as the curious people who may possibly, in the future,
be able to soften-out all this negativity. I'm glad to hear that it'll be used as an
educational DVD as well.  Great job!
- Mike Brown, Media Production Student, The New England Institute of Art

The best documentaries are those which provoke thought and encourage conversation.
Crossing The Line is such a film.
- Brendan Joyce, Author & Illustrator, "The Box Office"

Arboleda’s point of view, and it comes through strongly in the movie, is that “from a cultural
standpoint, you kind of have to take some responsibility for how what you say affects other people.
It’s not necessary to denigrate other people to get a laugh.
- Leslie Brokaw, Boston Globe

I think that taking a comedic approach to the whole race/mixed race issue makes this important
and sensitive issue easier to talk about.
- Rene Fleming, Student

I thoroughly enjoyed viewing this documentary. As someone who is half Peruvian and half
Caucasian-Jewish I completely understand this subject matter .
- Jennie Zuniga, Student

This movie was really great in that it made me happy, angry and sad. I laughed because I enjoyed
the comedy, and I was angry because of the way people can be so hurtful towards one another,
and then I was sad because of the hurt that some experienced because of their multiracial background.
I hope this film will become available to the public.
- Vanessa Mejia, Student

There is much to ponder about when it comes to crossing the line with different racial heritages.
I am glad that this will be able to be incorporated in a classroom setting to spread awareness of
different racial heritages.
- Eugenia Gee, Student
 
Above: Producer Teja Arboleda & Professor Randall Kennedy, author of Nigger, at the New England premiere. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, Massachusetts, December 19, 2007. Photographs by Stephen Vedder.
Producer Teja Arboleda presenting a section of Crossing The Line to a group of 400 students in Hartford, CT, Nov 2007
Photo courtesy of Paul Neff
Producer Darby Li Po Price fielding questions after a showing of Crossing The Line at La Pena, Berkeley, CA, Jan 20, 2008; With Helena Hershel, Psychotherapist who specializes in multiracial identity (also featured in the documentary). Photos courtesy of Justin Bradshaw.
 
 
 
 
 
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