World Without Hate, in partnership with Garnell Whitfield Jr., son of Ruth Whitfield, the oldest victim in the Tops supermarket shooting, and former fire commissioner of the Buffalo Fire Department, is honored to host the screening of its feature-length documentary, Pain and Peace, on the second anniversary of the Tops Supermarket tragedy. A survivor of a brutal 9/11 hate crime, Rais Bhuiyan, channeled his pain into a purposeful mission – striving to make a difference through the transformative power of empathy, understanding, forgiveness, and storytelling. The founder of World Without Hate, Rais lends his voice and experiences in a new documentary, Pain and Peace, a film captivating audiences with compelling narratives from survivors, including several subjects from the Tops Supermarket community.
Produced by Rais Bhuiyan and directed by Mark Feijó, Pain and Peace is not just a film, it’s an emotional journey delving deep into the human experience, shedding light on stories of pain, survival, and the incredible power of healing and forgiveness. Through a masterful blend of cinematic artistry and profound narratives, this documentary explores the underlying causes of hate and the depths of forgiveness, unveiling stories of hope and healing, offering inspiration in the face of tragedy. In addition to those interviewed from the TOPS supermarket tragedy, other profiles include victims and perpetrators of hate-fueled violence, unveiling a profound exploration of human resilience.
The screening takes place on Tuesday, May 14. Door opens at 6 pm, and the screening starts at 6:30 pm at North Park Theatre, 1428 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216. RSVP Via Eventbrite as although the screening is free, reservations are required. See the film trailer at https://vimeo.com/803743217. Reserve your spot at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pain-and-peace-a-buffalo-film-screening-tickets-886527667117
Dr. LaVonne Ansari, PhD, chief executive officer and executive director, of the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., is one of several people from across north America featured in the documentary to share their personal and powerful story. This special event promises to be an immersive experience, featuring the documentary film screening and followed by an engaging discussion with the director, producer, human rights advocate, and individuals whose stories are featured in the film.
As we mark this heartbreaking anniversary, we also recognize the importance of coming together to remember the lives lost, to honor the survivors, and reflect on the resilience of the community. Pain and Peace offers a deeply personal exploration of the journey toward healing, reconciliation, and forgiveness in the aftermath of life altering pain. We hope this event will help people understand hate’s impact on a peaceful, loving community, but also how love and humanity triumph over division and chaos. In bringing people together, we can renew our commitment to stand against all forms of intolerance, hate, and violence.
