Film Festival
Sponsored by University Libraries and in part by the Department of Student Life.
Kickoff event
Dear White People
Friday, Jan. 30
8 p.m. in the Union Theater
Sponsored by: ZPN & University Libraries
A satire about being a black face in a white place. See the website.
Latinos Beyond Reel
Monday, Feb. 2
11 a.m. in the Student Union Theater
A hard-hitting documentary about how Latinos are marginalized and vilified in the U.S. media — with grave consequences. See the website.
White Scripts & Black Supermen
Tuesday, Feb. 3
1 p.m. in the Student Union Theater
Through interviews with prominent artists, scholars and cultural critics along with images from the comic books themselves, this film examines the degree to which early Black superheroes generally adhered to common stereotypes about Black men. From the humorous, to the offensive, early Black superheroes are critically considered. See the website.
Democracy’s Ghosts
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Noon in the Student Union Theater
We are fighting for democracy abroad, but did you know that 5.3 million Americans are barred from voting? How would it feel to work and pay taxes, and be excluded from the democratic process? See the website.
The Muslim Americans
Thursday, Feb. 5
Noon in the Student Union Theater
Explore the diversity of Muslims in America today, focusing on communities’ experience after 9/11, and contrasting life for Muslims here in the United States compared to Muslims in Britain and Europe. See the website.
Frontera
Friday, Feb. 6
8 p.m. in the Student Union Theater
Set along the tumultuous Arizona-Mexico border, FRONTERA follows Miguel (Michael Peña), a hardworking father and devoted husband who crosses the border illegally and is wrongfully accused of murdering the wife (Amy Madigan) of a former sheriff (Ed Harris). Miguel’s pregnant wife (Eva Longoria) lands in the hands of corrupt Mexican “Coyote” smugglers as she tries to help her husband, while the ex-lawman investigates his wife’s death and unearths evidence that could destroy one family’s future. See the website.
In Whose Honor
Monday, Feb. 9
11 a.m. in the Student Union Theater
The Atlanta Braves. Kansas City Chiefs. Washington Redskins. Cleveland Indians. Native American Indian nicknames have been used in sports for years. So what's wrong?
"In Whose Honor?" takes a critical look at the long-running practice of "honoring" Native American Indians by using them as mascots and nicknames in sports. In this moving and award-winning documentary, Native Americans speak out about the hurtful and harmful effects of stereotyped sports images on both Natives and non-Natives alike. See the website.
Prom Night in Mississippi
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Noon in the Student Union Theater
Morgan Freeman offered to pay for the senior prom at Charleston High School in Mississippi under one condition: the prom had to be racially integrated. His offer was ignored. In 2008, Freeman offered again. This time the school board accepted, and history was made. Charleston High School had its first-ever integrated prom - in 2008. Until then, blacks and whites had had separate proms even though their classrooms have been integrated for decades. See the website.
American Promise
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Noon in the Student Union Theater
American Promise spans 13 years as Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, middle-class African-American parents in Brooklyn, N.Y., turn their cameras on their son, Idris, and his best friend, Seun, who make their way through Dalton, one of the most prestigious private schools in the country. Chronicling the boys' divergent paths from kindergarten through high school graduation, this provocative, intimate documentary presents complicated truths about America’s struggle to come of age on issues of race, class and opportunity. See the website.
To Cross An Ocean Four Centuries Long
Wednesday, Feb. 11
2 p.m. in Bierce Library 154
Join this mystical captain as she takes you on a journey through time with the assistance of beautifully arranged spirituals and African dance. Meet Phillis Wheatley, Hannah, servant to John Woolman, and John Jay's Abby all enslaved but determined to be free. Recording of a performance of the play, written by Dr. Amanda Kemp
Time of Fear
Thursday, Feb. 12
Noon: in the Student Union Theater
Time of Fear tells the story of the 16,000 men, women, and children who were sent to two relocation camps in southeast Arkansas - one of the poorest and racially segregated places in America. See the website.
A Lot Like You
Thursday, Feb. 12
Noon: in Bierce 154
A Lot Like You is a documentary film that explores the complex intersection between mixed race identity, culture and home. It follows Eliaichi Kimaro, who is a first generation American of Korean and Tanzanian ancestry back to Tanzania upon her parents’ retirement. Dr. Toja Okoh will introduce the film and facilitate discussion afterward. Dr. Okoh is Assistant Professor of African History here at the University of Akron. She researches and teaches about questions of race and identity.