THETHROWAWAYS

I am an invisible man. I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids; and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.

                             Ralph Ellison
                             Invisible Man

The Throwaways tells the story of activist filmmaker and ex-felon, Ira McKinley, documenting his struggle to bring positive changes to his community in inner-city Albany, NY.  Weaving McKinleyʼs personal narrative of survival with stories of social movements rising up, the film takes an intimate look at the challenges facing urban America. As he strives to get his voice heard, McKinley also confronts the unavoidable stories of his past, battling against personal demons and the stigma of being an ex-felon. Guided by McKinley’s story, The Throwaways intimately explores the complex challenges facing African American males, specifically issues of mass incarceration and police violence.  The Throwaways is more than just an illumination of marginalized people at their weakest moments; it is a call to action, a story of directly engaging in the struggle for justice.

 

Bhawin Suchak (Producer/Director, Cinematographer, Editor) is a filmmaker, educator and digital media producer who works with emerging technologies as tools to promote expression, communication, and connection.  He co-directed Free To Learn, a feature length documentary about radical education and has produced, directed and edited several short documentary films.  Bhawin is the founder and program director of Youth FX, a summer filmmaking program for inner-city teens based out of Grand Street Community Arts. He has been a media arts teacher at The Albany Free School for 12 years, and has worked with youth in digital film production and multimedia at several locations including:  Sanctuary for Independent Media, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Ark Charter School, and with the Museum Club afterschool program at The New York State Museum.

Ira McKinley (Producer/Director) is a Air Force veteran trained as a Medical Material Handler, he started his activism early on when he participated in Act Up in Ithaca, NY in the 1980’s. During the winters of 2007/2008 he started a Homeless Arts Showcase inspired by his fifteen years being homeless himself in Northampton, MA’s Pulaski Park. Ira won Northampton Arts Council’s grant for an “Emerging Film Maker” (2009); as well as Producer of the Year for Northampton Community Television (2009).   Ira is currently a cameraman for the Sanctuary for Independent Media and Troy, NY and continues his activist work with his collaborative Social Change in Mind, a network of organizations and individuals seeking social justice within the Capital Region.