Duke Chapel Housekeeper Featured in New Documentary

A new feature-length documentary film, "The Philosopher Kings," features words of wisdom from Duke Chapel housekeeper Oscar Dantzler.

The film premieres Thursday, June 18, at the Silverdocs Film Festival in Silver Springs, Md.

The documentary captures life lessons in interviews with eight college campus custodians from across the country, including Dantzler.

The film's director, Patrick Shen, said, "In search of wisdom found in unlikely places, ‘The Philosopher Kings'takes us on a journey through the halls of the most prestigious colleges and universities in America to learn from the staff members who see it all and have been through it all: the custodians."

Shen and co-producer Greg Bennick visited Duke several times in 2008, following Dantzler during his workday at the chapel and accompanying him on a fishing trip after work.

"The Philosopher Kings"is one of 11 films competing for Silverdoc's Sterling U.S. Feature Award. It will be screened 7:15 p.m. June 18 at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Springs and again at 1:15 p.m. June 21. A screening at Duke is being planned for the fall, with details to come at www.chapel.duke.edu.