Connianatu How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Edwin The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Cassandra Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

CurtHerzstark The life and trials of Barbara Smith Conrad is a story I've never heard about before. In fact I'll go so far as to say that I never heard of her before or listen to her performances.Odd, since I like opera and don't mind listening to it.Barbara Smith Conrad is a African American woman who is/was musically gifted, starts interesting herself for opera and developing her skills as an mezzo-soprano.But the USA at this time, and in her state, Texas is racially segregated. When US supreme court rules that racial segregation is no longer allowed Barbara Smith Conrad gets accepted to Texas university.But when she gets the main part in an opera, playing the love affection opposite a white male lead her problems starts...Barbara Smith Conrads story is a documentary about injustice, racism, hatred, but also courage, integrity, friendship and overcoming adversities.Nowadays USA has a black president but once ethnical minorities of USA couldn't even eat at the same restaurants with white people. America has come a long way, but racism is still a problem not only in the USA but worldwide.Therefore these kind of docs are very important, not only as a historical document but also as an reminder that struggle against hatred, bigotry, continues.

Eryn Vogn Director Mat Hames and editor Sandra Guardado delicately captured the wonderful story of our heroine, her conflict, and triumphs in as graceful a manner as the subject herself. Barbara Smith Conrad's fluid and elegant nature innately captivates her audience right from the start.Live footage with a renowned superstar, mentor and supporter adds to the sweet pleasure of viewing this film. The beautiful, lush green Texas scenery and wholesome Center Point community creates a richly tasteful experience.When I Rise is a must see for music enthusiasts, arts and civil rights educators and students alike, with an unavoidable true to life message at its core.

Itwasbetterthancats When I Rise was beautiful and insightful. It made me think about what it means to be an artist and a policy maker. I cried about four times. Sometimes I was crying for Ms. Conrad, other times I was crying for the mistakes of our culture, sometimes I was crying because we've come so far, and other times I was crying because we have so far to go (see Tarleton State University cancels gay Jesus play, March 2010). When I Rise was beautifully filmed and directed. It provides exactly what a documentary is supposed to it. It lets the story tell itself, it touches your heart, and it calls you to action. I hope it gets a wide distribution, and soon!

JustCuriosity Like Denzel Washington's feature film The Great Debaters, When I Rise retrieves a long-forgotten piece of Texas's contentious Civil Rights history. Not surprisingly, When I Rise was very well-received in its World Premiere at SXSW. The story of how Barbara Smith Conrad was denied the opportunity to perform in an Opera at the University of Texas-Austin at the dawn of Civil Rights movement provides a very personal window into the racism of that era. The film is beautiful and sensitively made and provides a story of redemption for both Conrad and ultimately the University which supported the project. This film should be widely viewed so that young people today can come to understand that today's more tolerant multicultural society has been achieved only through a long and difficult struggle that should never be forgotten. Conrad provides an excellent role model of grace and perseverance.