Purpose in the Face of Danger with Kenneth A. Carlson

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Kenneth A. Carlson lives by the motto “The risk in life is not taking one.” Born of Viking heritage, Carlson has spent his life pursuing adventure with an insatiable lust for travel. Whether kayaking alongside killer whales in Antarctica, tracking polar bears in the Arctic, trekking after mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or diving with bull sharks in the Tuamotu Islands of the South Pacific, Carlson has always sought the next horizon. From cycling across the United States to being dropped into the Gobi Desert in Mongolia for NBC’s reality show Lost, he’s never shied away from the unknown. But among all his daring exploits, one adventure stands apart: filming a documentary in the war-torn Nuba Mountains of Sudan, where danger and determination converged in a way that no other journey could match. Carlson is a man constantly on the move, always ready for the next challenge, and always living life to its fullest.

Filmmaker Kenneth A. Carlson looks forward to sharing his journey of creating the documentary The Heart of Nuba, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Tom Catena, a Catholic missionary doctor in the war-torn Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Carlson will begin by reflecting on the words of Mother Teresa, who urged people to “find their own Calcutta” — to help those in need where they are, in their own communities. This philosophy deeply influenced Carlson’s life and career.

Carlson’s story is personal: he grew up in a family of ministers, where helping others was ingrained in him from a young age. This sense of empathy and service led him to work on TV shows like America’s Most Wanted, but it wasn’t until reconnecting with his Brown University classmate and football teammate, Dr. Tom, that the preacher’s kid felt truly called to make a difference through his storytelling. Dr. Tom had chosen to work as the sole surgeon in a remote hospital in the Nuba Mountains, an area devastated by bombings under Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir. Carlson was inspired by Tom’s selfless dedication, living in a place where resources were scarce and life was precarious.

As he pursued making a documentary about Tom’s work, Carlson faced significant challenges, including dangerous conditions and the Sudanese government’s refusal to allow foreign filmmakers and journalists into the country. This forced him to smuggle himself into the war- ravaged country of Sudan. Carlson even found himself in life-threatening situations (being held at gunpoint by boy soldiers and bombs raining down around him), yet he was determined to tell Tom’s story. Once he arrived at the Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains, Carlson witnessed unimaginable suffering, including the story of a young boy named Shanta, whose severe burns from a bombing deeply impacted him.

Despite the hardships, Carlson was driven by a greater sense of purpose. The film The Heart of Nuba became more than just a project; it became a movement, a mission to raise awareness about the genocide in Sudan and to honor people like Dr. Tom, who risk their lives to help others. Carlson shares how a screening of the film led to a significant breakthrough: after a Sudanese parliament  leader viewed the film, it was shown to al-Bashir, resulting in a suspension of bombings in the Nuba region. “The primary reason for calling for a cease-fire is Carlson’s film, The Heart of Nuba,” Bashir announced shortly after screening the film.

 

In closing, Carlson encourages his audience to find their own Calcutta, their own place of purpose, and to take action — whether through big or small efforts — to make a positive impact in the world. He reflects on how the process of making the documentary helped him find his own sense of purpose by utilizing his unique voice, just as his father had found his in his ministry. Ultimately, Carlson hopes that by sharing these stories, more people will be moved to help end the atrocities and create a more caring and compassionate world.

Kenneth A. Carlson is a distinguished filmmaker known for his compelling documentaries and feature films that tackle profound human stories. He directed and produced The Heart of Nuba, a feature-length documentary about Dr. Tom Catena, the sole doctor serving a million patients in Sudan’s war-torn Nuba Mountains. The film received critical acclaim, opening in over 30 U.S. cities in 2018, and has been screened globally, including at the U.S. Congress, British Parliament, and the International Criminal Court. The Heart of Nuba was executive produced by Maria Shriver and is currently available on Hulu, iTunes, and Amazon. Carlson’s recent work includes Those Who Serve, a documentary that explores the journeys of American combat veterans facing the judicial system after committing crimes, offering a raw look at the intersection of mental health and justice. His earlier credits include the award- winning documentary Amargosa, an Academy Award finalist, and Wild Bill Hollywood Maverick, which won multiple accolades, including Best Documentary from the National Board of Review.  As a director and producer for NBC, Carlson worked on the prime-time reality series Lost, which garnered strong ratings, and Meet Mister Mom. He has also directed short films for Feeln/SpiritClips, with Diner Formal becoming the platform’s most-watched short film. Carlson’s independent film company, Carlson Films Inc., produced Steppin’ for DreamWorks, film about the Soul Steppin’ dance phenomenon, and Special Delivery, a romantic comedy starring Sean Young and Penny Marshall. For nearly seven years, Carlson worked on America’s Most Wanted, directing and producing over 275 segments that contributed to the capture of more than 72 criminals. Currently, Carlson is directing and producing a documentary about Death Row inmate Kevin Cooper, who has been in San Quentin State Prison for over 36 years. Carlson’s photography has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post and Boston Globe. He is a proud member of the Academy of Motion Arts Pictures and Sciences and the Directors Guild of America.

This program was organized by Jim Goodrich #1224.