A Benefit Screening

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on May 8, 2007 3:31PM

"I have one criteria, this is my one litmus test for guys and I could not marry someone if they didn’t pass this test. They can’t like Dave Matthews Band."

That's a line from filmmaker Saya Hillman's documentary on the Chicago singles scene, dating rubik’s cube. Twelve people, ranging from twentysomethings to people in their early 40's, let loose about everything from the foibles of blind dates to married life (another sample quote: "I woke up one morning and walked past the bathroom – she was taking a crap with the door open. I was like, oh yeah, the honeymoon period is over.") After several sold-out screenings in Chicago last year, it moved on to the Illinois Film Festival, where it won the Best Documentary award, and to screenings in New York, Boston and India. Not bad for a "practice piece" produced on a budget of $150.

It'll be showing again, on Saturday the 19th, with all proceeds benefiting the Benebikira Sisters Foundation, a Rwandan charitable organization dedicated to the care and education of the country's children. Hillman has plans to travel to Rwanda this summer and document the work the Sisters have accomplished so far, which currently includes educating over 5000 students (60% of their students are either orphans or from extremely poor families) and providing heath care. Much like the film Somebody's Child: The Redemption of Rwanda, Hillman aims to show the courage and kindness that has still survived despite moments of horrific brutality that seem impossible to understand.

The show is at 826chi's ultracool Boring Store at 1331 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Doors open 8:30 and the film starts at 9. Tickets can be reserved in advance via email or bought at the door for $15. To see a clip of dating rubik's cube click here.