'I Got Flowers Today'

April 6, 2009


Interview with Cindy Sanabria.

Cindy Sanabria is a Video Arts Technology (VAT) major, whose film, I Got Flowers Today, was awarded third place in a short film festival for community college students, sponsored by the Broadcast Educational Association (BEA).

The BEA is considered as a critical link between college faculty who teach radio and television professionals working in the broadcasting industry. BEA advances this interaction in order to produce employees with that unique combination of a liberal arts education and the practical skills essential for employment in the radio, television and electronic media industry.

Sanabria will receive a plaque at an award ceremony in Las Vegas, at the annual convention of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which is taking place on April 21-25.

NAB is a trade association representing the interests of for-profit, over-the-air radio and television broadcasters in the United States.

Grateful to BMCC
The 32 year-old mother of two children, graduating in the spring of 2009, is grateful to the administration and faculty of the college including Senior Vice President Sadie Bragg, John Gallagher, the Director of the Media Center and Professor Philip Weisman, for sponsoring her trip to the convention where she will receive the award.

Sanabria says, If it werent for BMCC I would not have been able to make this video. I am glad I came here. I have learned so much from the faculty. I am thankful I have been mentored and taught by so many phenomenal professors and instructors. Now I have this goal and I know where I want to go. I really didnt have that much direction prior to coming to BMCC. I knew I wanted to make films, but now I really understand.

She is not only a filmmaker, but also the Vice president of BMCCs Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for community colleges, and an Ambassador for MoneyWorks, a financial literacy program for BMCC students, funded by several foundations.


Domestic violence close to home
Sanabria describes her short film as one about domestic violence. Originally, it was a film project for Professor Weismans class, where she was asked to produce a public service announcement.

The reason I chose to do this piece is because I knew someone who was killed by her boyfriend last August, said Sanabria. There was an article about the young woman in The Daily News and right beside the article was a poem Sanabria thought was written anonymously, but was actually written by Paulette Kelley in 1992 entitled, I Got Flowers Today.

According to Sanabria, the poem was so moving when she read it that she was compelled to do an enactment of this poem.

Sanabria admits, I was a former victim of domestic violence. I was involved in a relationship where I was going through domestic violence for about a year, but I wound up getting out of that. It is an on-going issue that impacts both men and women. I chose to make this video as a statement. You try to convince yourself that this person loves you because they are doing it out of love. Violence is not an act of love. I want the message to be known that there are alternative ways to handle problems and that the resolution doesnt have to be violent. I want to stop the violence.

Sanabrias future goals
When Sanabria received an email from the BEA that she had won third prize, she was ecstatic, she says. I was really happy, but it didnt really sink in. I didnt enter the festival to win and I didnt think I would win. My goal was to get as many people as possible to watch the video. Its the video that I am very proud of.

After she graduates, Sanabria plans to pursue a film degree, perhaps get her MFA for film or even go for a degree that encompasses photography, film and writing—her three major passions.


Paulette Kelly's poem, I Got Flowers Today

I got flowers today.
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
We had our first argument last night,
And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.
I know he is sorry and didn't mean the things he said.
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.
It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.
I couldn't believe it was real.
I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry.
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today,
And it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day.
Last night, he beat me up again.
And it was much worse than all the other times.
If I leave him, what will I do?
How will I take care of my kids?
What about money?
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.
But I know he must be sorry.
Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.
Today was a very special day.
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night, he finally killed me.
He beat me to death.
If only I had gathered enough courage
and strength to leave him,
I would not have gotten flowers...today

Category:

Education

Tags:

• cindy
• sanabria

[PurpleStarHaze]

@cindysana anytime I was a student at bmcc but i had to leave due to health reasons. Im thinking about going back I wanted to join the Vat program is there anything you didnt like about it

[cindysana]

You can find the full video in it's entirety on my page cindysana. This film was made for Veronica Rivera(A friend) who lost her life in the hands of her ex-lover in August 2008. This is a re enactment of the poem that was attached to the article about her death in the Daily news. Special thanks to all the positive feedback. Post to all and help with the fight against Domestic Violence.

[cindysana]

@CelebsRStupid

Thanks for your suggestion but contrary to your belief...It actually worked in my favor. I even took it a step further and got my BFA in film. Now I'm doing what I love and getting paid to do it. More proud than ever because I am a role model to my kids because of the choices I've made :) The VAT program at BMCC is great! Now more than ever. My suggestion to everyone is follow your dreams and don't let haters stand in your way. Create your own Destiny then go out and live it!

[cindysana]

@PurpleStarHaze

Thank you very much :)

[j9918129]

does anyone know where I can find the full video?

[PurpleStarHaze]

OMG THEIR IS SO MUCH IGNORANCE AND HATE IN SOME OF THESE COMMENTS... YOU PEOPLE ARE PATHETIC.. SHE DID A GOOD JOB USING THE SKILLS SHE LEARNED.. SO A LITTLE RESPECT !!!

[gcw15]

Where can this video be seen in its entirety?

[CelebsRStupid]

I wouldn't suggest anybody to study "video arts" get a real major not a shitty trade. you cant get a real job in the filmmakin industry with aa and two kids. you should of done communications, or something along those lines. cause your "degree' is worthless now

[EMAN300]

DId you know that Kingons beat each other before they have sex? And you say their is no love in violence? Are you saying that clingos cant love? you are a specieist.

[EMAN300]

? how do your arms stand up when you watch this. When I watch this my computer shuts down.