This weekend, Kindred and I were fortunuate enough to catch the tail end of the South End Film Festival. On a cold, rainy Sunday afternoon we headed out of the dungeon on the #1 bus. When we reached 500 Harrison Ave. we were surprised to find a makeshift theater encassed in a huge warehouse. The evening was well spent watching shorts and independent films, many of which were Boston based.

Our favorite film for various reasons was entitled BALLOONHAT. This documentary follows the travels of Balloon twister Addi Somekh and photographer Charlie Eckert through 34 countries. Fed up with the bombardment of negative images in the media the two set off to travel the planet and bring people joy through balloon hats.

The balloonhat project demonstrated how poeple in the worst situations, suffering through the worst circumstances, just wanted to be happy and that everyone could experience joy; that there is happiness and beauty in the world although at times it doesn't seem like it. In many instances, they could not speak the language of the people and the only way they could communicate were through the balloons and the smiles on the faces of the people who were receiving them. The balloonhats added a sense of humanness to people, it made the most intimidating, scary person, look sensitive and vulnerable.

I was once again inspired by the common bonds and strength of human nature across the globe; through struggles and hardship, at the end of the day, we all just want to be happy.