I believe stories are the foundations of identities, that they have the uncanny power to shape our realities, and are one of the most powerful means of connecting people. 

To this end,  I wrote "The Lesson" to explore how we respond to violence, how we cope, how we survive. 

The film is vigilantly nonpartisan.
It will not tell you which choices you should make.
It will only ask you to consider which choices are right for you.

​I will view the film as a success if it is able to bridge the empathy gap. 

As our country seems increasingly fractured, as more and more of us experience violence first-hand, and many of us feel more isolated, defensive, and cautious than ever, this film is an exploration of how every choice we make as individuals resonates in and impacts the world around us. Our choices define us, and knowing yourself is the first step to making the choices that are right for you and yours.

                                                  - Kimberly Kalaja