Educational Goals Inspired an Award-Winning Documentary – MATC

Kristin Catalano has a passion for storytelling through film. The MATC graduate used that passion and talent to share the inspirational story of her longtime friend Clarence Garrett. .
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Documentary on 85-year-old UWM student now available to stream – UWM

“Clarence,” a documentary by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate Kristin Catalano about an 85-year-old man who returns to college after a half-century hiatus, has been picked up for release by Indican Pictures and is available for streaming.
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The Arlington International Film Festival – Bay State Banner

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Grad wins Golden Badger award at Wisconsin Film Festival – MATC Times

An inspiring character, Clarence Garrett is the subject of Kristin Catalano’s documentary, “Clarence.” The documentary won Catalano a Golden Badger Award at the 2015 Wisconsin Film Festival.
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Award-Winning Film to be Shown at Festival – The Northern Virginia Daily

Filmmaker Kristin Catalano will show her feature-length documentary “Clarence” at the 2016 Skyline Indie Film Fest on Sept. 10.
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Wisconsin filmmaker creates inspiring documentary on longtime friend in BIFF film – Beloit Daily News

A touching tale about a Wisconsin man with a dream to finish college despite his ailing health and advanced age will inspire audiences at this year’s Beloit International Film Festival.
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‘Clarence’, award-winning film about UWM graduate, at Beloit festival – UWM REPORT

“Clarence,” the documentary about Clarence Garrett, an 87-year-old graduate of UWM, will be featured at the Beloit International Film Festival in February. The film premiered at the Wisconsin Film Festival in April, receiving a Golden Badger Award for Wisconsin filmmakers.
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Up Close: Director Kristin Catalano discusses inspirational documentary ‘Clarence’

In this “up close” interview, I spoke to award winning, Milwaukee-native filmmaker Kristin Catalano who is turning heads with her debut feature length documentary project entitled “Clarence.” The documentary is an inspirational and intimate portrait of 85-year old Milwaukee resident, World War II veteran, father of three college educated children, and husband Clarence Garrett who defies all odds when he returns to college, after a 30-year hiatus, to complete his bachelor’s degree.
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Award Winning Documentary Film, “Clarence,” Screens at the 2015 Austin Film Festival – The Austin Villager

Filmmaker Kristin Catalano’s award winning documentary, “Clarence,” will screen at the 2015 Austin Film Festival. “Clarence” tells the story of Clarence Garrett, an 85-year-old African American WWII Vet, who after fifty years away from academia, decides to return to college to fulfill his biggest regret— not earning his Bachelor’s Degree.
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Inspirational Documentary ‘Clarence’ Chronicles 85 Year Old’s Return to College – Affrodite

An 85 year old African-American WWII vet, husband, and father born in Baltimore, MD but living in Milwaukee, WI is the subject of an inspirational documentary entitled “Clarence.” The documentary follows Clarence Garrett as he picks up where he left off 50 years ago and enrolls at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to complete his undergraduate degree. Taking on such a task is no easy feat for Garrett who is faced with numerous obstacles completely foreign to an average 20-something in college.
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Clarence: An Inspiring Life – Shepherd Express

Clarence Garrett has led a remarkable life. The Milwaukee resident is an African American who served during World War II in the segregated army, became a warrant officer and worked in civilian life as a mechanic. Retirement was not the end. At age 85, Garrett decided to reclaim the scattered college credits he had earned years before and enroll at UW-Milwaukee with a BA in mind.
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“Clarence” brings a big local personality to the big screen – OnMilwaukee

The big screen has always been home to larger than life characters. Beloved local legend Clarence Garrett certainly belongs in that category. For decades, Clarence’s huge personality and unabashed friendliness added a colorful, loud shade of thread to the city’s fabric – and that’s not even including his background as a World War II veteran or his quest to get his bachelor’s degree at the age of 85.
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Milwaukee Film Festival’s Cream City program branching out – JS Online

The homegrown fare at this year’s Milwaukee Film Festival is diverse both in content and format.

The 2015 festival’s Cream City Cinema program, featuring work by Milwaukee-based filmmakers, includes two feature-length fiction films, three documentaries and four programs of short films, including the festival’s first lineup of Milwaukee music videos.
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The Clarence Garrett Story – Documenting a Remarkable Milwaukeean – Shepherd Express

Garrett is the subject of Clarence, a documentary by Milwaukee filmmaker Kristin Catalano. In her study of can-do determination, Catalano discretely follows Garrett as he bravely steps into the strange new world of 21st century college life. He masters the online library catalog, becomes a leader in class discussions and a favorite among students and faculty. Never having touched a computer, he enrolls in a class and learns the basics. Even an ulcerated leg infection barely slows him down. He checks into a hospital with his textbooks and emerges with more energy than ever. Garrett ends semester one with As and Bs.
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Watch Kristin discuss Clarence on Wisconsin Public Television’s Director’s Cut


Wisconsin Film Festival: ‘Clarence’ a Tale of Perseverance by Both Subject and Filmmaker – The Cap Times

Garrett’s story of perseverance is mirrored by that of Catalano herself, who spent the last 10 years making the 76-minute documentary pretty much on her own. The film has its world premiere at the 2015 Wisconsin Film Festival next Wednesday and Thursday.

“It was true,” Catalano said of Garrett’s philosophy. “If you want to do it, you can do it.”
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A documentary on Clarence Garrett, who returned to UWM after 50 years – Today @UWM

Catalano found the experience “truly rewarding.” Garrett taught her a great deal about “life and the importance of living,” she said. He constantly reminded her that a person has only one shot at life, and that you are never to old to do anything.

In making her film, Catalano said, “All I did was follow around this great man.”
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