Actress, Cherrelle eLan Joins Cast Cf Cleveland High School Media Academy's Film Project In Conjunction With Students Of The GCEP Afghanistan: The Afghan And American PreCollege Institute

Online, May 7, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Under the direction of the student based company The Gummy Bears Production of the Cleveland High Media Academy in Los Angeles, California, actress Cherrelle eLan embodies a character that symbolizes the inner strength of a mother from a culture that has been traditionally male dominated. A screenplay about a "rising soccer star" written exclusively by high school students includes the image of a mother raising a teenage son while the father is away working.

"It was refreshing to see that the students had written the mother "Nazneen" as a nurturing woman of strength as oppose to a victimized woman of abuse as often seen on the news." says eLan.

"Cleveland High students correspond with the students in the GCEP program; it helps the Afghan students develop their English and learn about the U.S.; it helps Cleveland High students develop a greater understanding of Afghan culture. And creates friends across the two cultures, breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions. Some of the Afghan students and staff shot video footage of exteriors in Afghanistan that we will use in our films." noted Evelyn Seubert-Media Academy Teacher at Cleveland High.

Outfitted in clothing provided by the students, eLan represented the Afghan culture as close to tradition as possible. After researching Afghan traditional clothing the students added color and mixed patterns that were essential to the character's reserved yet fashionable style.

"We come from a western culture that is very different from Afghanistan. With the help of the students from Afghanistan, I think the Cleveland High students did their best and were careful to present the Afghan culture with grace and dignity." says eLan.

Seasoned actress Shannon Welles also joined the cast portraying the family physician-a position held by Afghan women yet often ignored in media headlines.

"The favorite part of film-making was watching the actors " says Cleveland High Students, cinematographer, Luis Villalba and gaffer, Miguel Mendez.

As part of eLan's community service, Cherrelle has worked with the Cleveland High Media Academy for the past two years on several of their student films. The films have been showcased in the annual city wide film festival at the Egyptian Theater located on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California.

More information about the Global Connection and Exchange Program can be found at: http://www.stevebrownrotary.com/Afghanistan/index.htm

More information about Cherrelle eLan can be found at:

http://www.imdb.me/cherrelleelan
http://twitter.com/cherrelle_elan
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cherrelle-%C3%A9Lan/177845855595289?sk=info