Andy was an OG independent filmmaker – so incredibly dedicated to making films and telling stories from under-represented parts of the world and sharing the voices of people so rarely heard. He cared about that deeply and gave it everything. That was his focus first and foremost- his passion was so pure. And he had …
Continue reading “Celebrating Andy, a friend and true documentarian”
I wrote a song to Andy. I have trouble summing him up in words, but it’s been helpful for me just to talk with him, at least in my head. It’s called “I Hope You Knew.”
Though I’ve known Andy all my life we were closest in high school and through the 90’s. Andy was an old school 60’s style hippie all the way through high school. Which was kind of ballsy when you consider that that kind of stuff was pretty passé in the late 80’s. It was the golden …
After discussing with Andy’s family, we’ve confirmed a memorial to be held at the Hastings Rec Center on Friday May 24th, for family and friends. Start time to be confirmed but it’ll probably be around 7:30 til 9pm and we can all head to a bar afterwards, for those who are up to it. Andy …
Andy, my friend, All the stories and tributes about how brave you were, about your singular and steadfast gaze on the small and vulnerable in the midst of chaos, about how kids loved you and you loved them, about how and why your work was riveting and important, all of these are true. It is …
When I think of Andy, I think of goofiness. I know, he spent his time in war zones, embedded with Nigerian rebel groups, or elsewhere, but that’s not what we talked about. We talked about our love of big sandwiches over hamburgers. I’d look forward to seeing him at BBQs or where ever — if …
I’ve been struggling to put pen to paper about Andy, not because there aren’t great things to say about him, but because writing something about him makes his passing all the more real and true. I met Andy randomly one night back in 2011 at a neighborhood bar. I was saving a stool for a …
by R. Hooman One of the things I loved about Andy, and maybe even the reason we connected so well, is my propensity to dish it hard no holds barred and Andy’s unflinching quality to dish it right back harder. Didn’t really matter what I hurled at him or when, he had a sharp and …
by Jason Gardner A few days ago I lost one of my closest friends, one I’ve known since kindergarten. Andrew Lukas Berends was an extremely gifted artist, filmmaker, photographer, musician, documentarian, and a humanist. Quite concerned with the human condition around him, tackling difficult and serious subjects, he also could be super silly and goofy …
Continue reading “Remembering one of my oldest and best friends”
A time it was, and what a time it was, it wasA time of innocenceA time of confidences Long ago it must beI have a photographPreserve your memoriesThey’re all that’s left you
