+
ARTS & CULTURE
KANSAN.COM
R
---
Family motivates Hilarity for Charity leaders
BY NATALIE CRAIG | @NATJCRAIG
For some University students, Alzheimer's disease has become a part of their daily life.
Those personal experiences have inspired the leaders of KU Hilarity for Charity, a variety benefit show, to help other students affected by family members with Alzheimer's. Jordan Ashley, a recent graduate from Olathe, started the organization last year after he saw Seth Rogen testifying before Congress in spring 2014.
"The day I watched this video was just a couple short weeks after my grandfather lost his fight against Alzheimer's, so Seth's conviction and passion for speaking up for those who have been affected by the disease really hit home," Ashley said.
When he heard about Hilarity for Charity University, he was prompted to bring it to KU. "I knew I could do my part in the fight and honor the memory of my grandad and honor the sacrifices of my grandmother, mom and other family members who selflessly gave so much to care for my grandad," Ashley said.
It was similar for Katy Kesler, a junior from Overland Park. During family gatherings and the holidays, Kesler watched as her grandma became lost and confused.
Kesler's grandma, who is currently fighting Alzheimer's, looked around at the smiling faces, overwhelmed and trying to figure out who they were. When someone mentioned her son's name, she did not know who he was.
Alzheimer's affects 5.3 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Elder's directs 5.5 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
"You can just tell when we are at a family gathering that she just sits there trying to take it all in, when she really is having a hard time trying to figure out what's going on and who she is surrounded by," Kesler said.
Katy Kesler, a junior from Overland Park and committee member for Hilarity for Charity.
Kesler said her grandma is why she got involved with Hilarity for Charity at the University.
ZOE LARSON/KANSAN
Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore is known for his outspoken beliefs, which often causes controversy to follow.
SEE HILARITY PAGE 6
Moore to appeal rating of latest film, 'Where to Invade Next'
CAMERON MCGOUGH
@cammmcgough
His newest documentary, "Where to Invade Next," has unsurprisingly followed suit. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has given his feature an R rating, which caused great backlash from the 61-year-old filmmaker.
Moore has promoted his newest feature since it debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Since the news broke about its rating, Moore said in an USA Today article the MPAA's decision is politically charged, and he is upset because he wants as many people to see the film as possible.
(1/5)Jeez. Once again the MPAA has given a film of mine an "R" rating, citing
Moore took to Twitter, his frequented outlet for opinions, to explain his side of the argument.
"violence, drug use & brief graphic nudity." Here's the truth;
(2/5) The "violence" in WHERE TO INVADE NEXT is footage of the NYPD officers killing an unarmed Eric Garner on a Staten Island sidewalk.
(3/5) The "drug use" in WHERE TO INVADE NEXT is me showing how Portugal ended their "war on drugs". Haven't arrested a 1 drug user in 15yrs.
(4/5) The "brief nudity" in my film is 2 secs of Germans whose health care card gives em 3 free wks @ a spa if stressed. Don't show us that!
(5/5) That's what the MPAA doesn't want teenagers 2 see w/o parental supervision. As always, teens: You know what 2 do, u know how 2 get in.
According to a Variety article, Moore plans on appealing the decision, which isn't the first time he's had a tussle with the MPAA. To Moore's disappointment, many of his other films,
including "Fahrenheit 9/11";
have been given an R rating.
Famed film critic Roger Ebert
also criticized the MPAA in the
article for giving Moore's film
"Bowling for Columbine" the
same rating.
- @MMFlint
It is all still up in the air. As of now, "Where to Invade Next" has an R rating. If things go as they have in the past, Moore will put up a fight. He will express his opinions regardless of what others think, as he did during his acceptance speech in 2002 when he won the Academy Award for
best documentary feature.
Despite receiving a standing ovation when his documentary was announced as the winner, his speech garnered an opposite reaction. Rather than reciting something lighter and conventional, Moore took the time to share his opinion of President George W. Bush and the War on Terror that began just after 9/11. Moore was played off by music and left the stage while people continued to throw harsh boos
SEE MOORE PAGE 6
Discount applies to the already reduced educational price. In-store and online. Offer ends at midnight (cst). Only available on qualifying in stock products.TM and © Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
THE TECH SHOP
Authorized Campus Store
A DIVISION OF THE KU BOOKSTORE | KANSAS UNION. LEVEL 2
The ONLY Store Giving Back to KU
KUBOOKSTORE.COM
11234567890
The University of Kansas, School of the Arts, Department of Dance Present.
STUDENT SENATE