[Reellife] Black History Month

[dave olsen]

Vancity Theatre <http://viff.org/theatre/venues/vancity-theatre> has an 
excellent series of documentaries lined up for Black History Month (i.e., 
February) this year.

I've enjoyed two of them recently, /The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the 
Revolution 
<http://viff.org/theatre/films/fc8732-the-black-panthers-vanguard-of-the-revolution>/ 
and /Ninth Floor <http://viff.org/theatre/films/fc8750-ninth-floor>/.  Both are 
stellar in their own way, but both could also be part of a series that exposes 
Government's efforts to control "its" population at all costs.

Margaret Mead is attributed to saying, "Never doubt that a small group of 
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing 
that ever has."  The Black Panthers certainly did this in an incredibly short 
period of time.  At least until J. Edgar Hoover noticed.

The film transitions from documenting how people with so little made life so 
much healthier for a lot, to documenting how the American Government became 
obsessed with destroying this "terrorist threat".

Look no further than Fred Hampton.  He was so very young when the FBI invaded 
the apartment in Chicago that he was sleeping in.  The evidence is right on the 
screen and irrefutable, including testimony from their plant.  Fred was murdered 
because he was brilliant, courageous, committed, and an amazing organizer.

Once divided, the Panther's fall was spectacular, but not without a valiant 
attempt at conforming and getting elected first.

/The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution 
<http://viff.org/theatre/films/fc8732-the-black-panthers-vanguard-of-the-revolution> 
/plays Monday Feb 15 @ 8:20 pm, Tuesday Feb 16 @ 8:30 pm, and Wednesday Feb 17 @ 
1:00 pm


/Ninth Floor <http://viff.org/theatre/films/fc8750-ninth-floor>/ is much more 
than a documentary; Mina Shum wrote and directed and really created a beautiful, 
moving, insight to Canada's seminal moment of being outed for systemic racism 
directed at Blacks.  Indigenous people have been blatantly targeted for centuries.

Before it became Concordia University in downtown Montréal, Sir George Williams 
University is the workplace of an assistant biology professor that pushes the 
limits of decency even further than that day's norm.  That he acted is a 
racially discriminatory manner is also irrefutable, despite the exoneration he 
eventually received.

What the film focuses on though, is the maelstrom that ensued after a few 
students officially lodged a complaint against him.

Mina uses Montréal's bleak winter as a perfect accompaniment to the telling of 
this story.  Despite little archival footage and lots of talking, she creates 
montages that are visually pleasing but still relevant to the story.

And again, the Government's actions make it clear: do as we say or die.  Only in 
Canada, it's a nicer death, by fire and smoke inhalation.

/Ninth Floor <http://viff.org/theatre/films/fc8750-ninth-floor>/ plays Monday 
Feb 15 and Tuesday Feb 16 @ 6:30 pm

I really think both of these films would do well in a White History Month.  So 
Black or White or someone else, I can't urge you enough to check out these films!
-- 

Warmly,
dave/
//
Parenting with an Open Heart: a seminar series for all Parents, Caregivers, and 
Parents-to-be: for info and session dates, please visit/ 
/http://humanpowered.wordpress.com <http://humanpowered.wordpress.com/>

Movie and Theatre lovers who know a saner world is possible may enjoying reading 
and sharing their thoughts on Reel Life, Real Ideas: Movies and more... 
<http://reellife.wordpress.com/>

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