ABOUT THE FILM
When a loved one is lost to a senseless act of violence, it’s life-changing; it colors everything in a different hue. One of the biggest indignities surviving family members and friends quietly deal with is the fear that their loved one will be forgotten. Or worse, that their loved one will be remembered more for how they died than for how they lived.
In the wee hours of Tuesday, October 6, 2009, the relatively short life of 19-year-old Ashleigh Anne Love was brought to an abrupt end at the hands of an intruder that broke into her family’s suburban-Milwaukee home, made their way to her bedroom, and shot her in the face while she peacefully slept. Ashleigh’s life was over just as it was beginning. Just a few months prior, she graduated from high school. And three weeks before she was killed, she celebrated what would end up being her last birthday alive. Ashleigh was survived by her parents, her two brothers, her grandparents, and a host of additional family and friends.
In the days and weeks following her death, the Love family received dozens of letters from close family and friends in their time of bereavement. Then, letters started to arrive from all over the country from complete strangers who had heard of Ashleigh’s case in the news. Too distressed to read all of the correspondences they received, the Love family packed all of the letters away to read at some point later on.
As time passed, the family began to regain their footing, and they wanted to honor Ashleigh’s life and keep her memory alive. Ashleigh’s parents were determined that their beloved daughter would be more than just one of the 13,000+ murder victims in the United States that year.
Milwaukee native and award-winning filmmaker Kyle Olson, a close family friend of the Loves, felt equally compelled to honor Ashleigh’s life and memory as well. Knowing he was the man for the job, the family collaborated with Olson and their mutual passion project LETTERS TO ASHLEIGH was born.
In the documentary, the Loves courageously open up all of the letters they received for the first time, reading the words of condolence and compassion that so many felt compelled to write down. The family is joined by friends, colleagues, and admirers of Ashleigh’s who read from letters that they wrote.
LETTERS TO ASHLEIGH is a celebration of a young woman’s life; a life cut far too short. Her story is many people’s story.
In the wee hours of Tuesday, October 6, 2009, the relatively short life of 19-year-old Ashleigh Anne Love was brought to an abrupt end at the hands of an intruder that broke into her family’s suburban-Milwaukee home, made their way to her bedroom, and shot her in the face while she peacefully slept. Ashleigh’s life was over just as it was beginning. Just a few months prior, she graduated from high school. And three weeks before she was killed, she celebrated what would end up being her last birthday alive. Ashleigh was survived by her parents, her two brothers, her grandparents, and a host of additional family and friends.
In the days and weeks following her death, the Love family received dozens of letters from close family and friends in their time of bereavement. Then, letters started to arrive from all over the country from complete strangers who had heard of Ashleigh’s case in the news. Too distressed to read all of the correspondences they received, the Love family packed all of the letters away to read at some point later on.
As time passed, the family began to regain their footing, and they wanted to honor Ashleigh’s life and keep her memory alive. Ashleigh’s parents were determined that their beloved daughter would be more than just one of the 13,000+ murder victims in the United States that year.
Milwaukee native and award-winning filmmaker Kyle Olson, a close family friend of the Loves, felt equally compelled to honor Ashleigh’s life and memory as well. Knowing he was the man for the job, the family collaborated with Olson and their mutual passion project LETTERS TO ASHLEIGH was born.
In the documentary, the Loves courageously open up all of the letters they received for the first time, reading the words of condolence and compassion that so many felt compelled to write down. The family is joined by friends, colleagues, and admirers of Ashleigh’s who read from letters that they wrote.
LETTERS TO ASHLEIGH is a celebration of a young woman’s life; a life cut far too short. Her story is many people’s story.
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CEDAR LODGE MUSIC's founder, Jim Shoulak, has been a singer-songwriter for over 35 years, authoring hundreds of songs along the way. He writes mostly in the folk and folk-rock genres about a wide variety of topics. Equal parts sentinel, prophet and humorist, Jim's never been afraid to tackle some tough topics with his songs. It’s been said that although his music may be easy to listen to, sometimes his lyrics aren't. On Jim's latest CD, “Stayin’ Focused”, broken-hearted love songs are interspersed among tunes calling attention to human rights and social justice causes about which he feels most passionate. Always a voice for the oppressed and less-fortunate, this album includes songs for the victims of domestic violence and child sexual abuse; and Jim's commentaries on same-sex relationships, politicians, loneliness, and war.
Jim Shoulak is part folk singer, advocate, storyteller and dreamer. His life and convictions have been shaped by prophets, folk singers, and change-makers. Specifically, Jim tries to live out his ideals: raising awareness of social issues and confronting incidents of injustice. LETTERS TO ASHLEIGH could not be more thrilled to have such a wonderful partnership with Jim Shoulak and CEDAR LODGE MUSIC. We hope you'll take some time to check out the official website here. |