Brenda Brkusic Honored by US House of Representatives
BRENDA BRKUSIC AND HER FILM FREEDOM FROM DESPAIR RECOGNIZED ON THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
IN HONOR OF ACCLAIMED FILMMAKER BRENDA BRKUSIC — (Extensions of Remarks – June 24, 2005)
SPEECH OF HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH OF OHIO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2005
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of filmmaker Brenda Brkusic. Brenda is a courageous and hard working young woman who has been identified as a visionary in the Croatian community. At the age of twenty-one, Brenda started working on the film Freedom From Despair as her student thesis at Chapman University in Los Angeles, California.
Freedom From Despair explores one man’s arduous journey from his homeland of Yugoslavia to the United States, and his fight for human rights and Croatian independence. It also scrutinizes the relationship between ruthless dictators, the slaughter of 250,000 people, and the silence of the mainstream media. It creatively portrays the power of the human spirit and the tenets of democracy, without preaching or the use of propaganda.
Her film has been met with critical acclaim, and has garnered countless awards, including the CINE Golden Eagle award, which has previously been awarded to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Her peers have recognized her as an emerging talent in the film industry, and a remarkable human being. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Ms. Brenda Brkusic, the writer, producer and editor of Freedom From Despair for her hard work encouraging human rights and personal triumph over evil.
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