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Rocky Mountain PBS and Mesa County Libraries are pleased to bring ITVS Community Cinema to the Grand Valley. The second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., Community Cinema features a free screening of an “Independent Lens” film which is scheduled for broadcast on Rocky Mountain PBS. Each independent film screening is followed by a community discussion featuring local experts or people familiar with the issues covered in the film.
Community Cinema began in January with “Tulia, Texas,” a film about a drug raid gone bad in a small Texas town. The February film, “Arusi Persian Wedding,” set against the backdrop of Bush’s “axis of evil” speech, captures the struggle and excitement of a young Iranian-American couple who travel to Tehran to celebrate their wedding.
Mesa State student and football player Josh Yashahvari was a wonderful addition to the discussion following “Arusi Persian Wedding.” Yashahvari’s parents and older sister were born in Iran, and his father was a pilot in the Shah’s Imperial Air Force, and later the U.S. Air Force. His knowledge and personal understanding of Persian culture, his willingness to share and thoughtfully answer questions brought the issues home to the local audience.
“I’ve been to both ‘Tulia, Texas’ and ‘Arusi Persian Wedding,’ and I’m looking forward to the whole series,” said Teri Ahern of Grand Junction. “Like reading a book, these films expand your mind so you want to learn more. There’s a chance to share with others and hear different perspectives. It’s like belonging to a book club, but it’s a movie club.”
Coming up next: Tuesday, March 10, brings “Taking Root” to the Grand Valley. “Taking Root” is about Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai of Kenya, a professor and community organizer. In 1977 Maathai suggested rural women plant trees to address problems stemming from deforestation. Under her leadership, their tree-planting grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, defend human rights and promote democracy.
According to the filmmakers, it was not only what Maathai had accomplished that was stunning; it was also the way she had done it. She had a way of choosing the right issue at the right time and not letting anything or anybody get in her way. Her story was organic; her rural roots connected her deeply to the earth and despite her education and years in academia, she never lost that connectedness.
The April 14 film will be “Crips and Bloods: Made in America.” It’s a civil war that’s lasted 40 years. Passed down from son to son, fought eye for an eye, with over 15,000 dead and counting while the world stands by. Welcome to South Central Los Angeles. Filmmaker Stacy Peralta speaks with former and current members of the Bloods and the Crips, two of the most notorious and violent street gangs in America.
May 12 will bring the first Community Cinema season to a close with “Ask Not.” As wars rage in the Middle East, the U.S. military is eager for more recruits — unless you happen to be openly gay. “Ask Not” explores the tangled political battles that led to the infamous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and reveals the personal stories of gay Americans who serve in combat under a veil of secrecy.
Following an academic schedule, ITVS Community Cinema’s 2009-2010 season will begin in September.
The Emmy Award-winning PBS series “Independent Lens” advertises itself as “a film festival in your living room.” ITVS Community Cinema brings the film festival to the Central Library each month, with popcorn and conversation afterward. It’s a wonderful program and a great opportunity to expand your world, share your ideas with others … and you can be home by 8 p.m.
Penny Mitchell is the development director for Rocky Mountain PBS KRMJ.
Community Cinema began in January with “Tulia, Texas,” a film about a drug raid gone bad in a small Texas town. The February film, “Arusi Persian Wedding,” set against the backdrop of Bush’s “axis of evil” speech, captures the struggle and excitement of a young Iranian-American couple who travel to Tehran to celebrate their wedding.
Mesa State student and football player Josh Yashahvari was a wonderful addition to the discussion following “Arusi Persian Wedding.” Yashahvari’s parents and older sister were born in Iran, and his father was a pilot in the Shah’s Imperial Air Force, and later the U.S. Air Force. His knowledge and personal understanding of Persian culture, his willingness to share and thoughtfully answer questions brought the issues home to the local audience.
“I’ve been to both ‘Tulia, Texas’ and ‘Arusi Persian Wedding,’ and I’m looking forward to the whole series,” said Teri Ahern of Grand Junction. “Like reading a book, these films expand your mind so you want to learn more. There’s a chance to share with others and hear different perspectives. It’s like belonging to a book club, but it’s a movie club.”
Coming up next: Tuesday, March 10, brings “Taking Root” to the Grand Valley. “Taking Root” is about Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai of Kenya, a professor and community organizer. In 1977 Maathai suggested rural women plant trees to address problems stemming from deforestation. Under her leadership, their tree-planting grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, defend human rights and promote democracy.
According to the filmmakers, it was not only what Maathai had accomplished that was stunning; it was also the way she had done it. She had a way of choosing the right issue at the right time and not letting anything or anybody get in her way. Her story was organic; her rural roots connected her deeply to the earth and despite her education and years in academia, she never lost that connectedness.
The April 14 film will be “Crips and Bloods: Made in America.” It’s a civil war that’s lasted 40 years. Passed down from son to son, fought eye for an eye, with over 15,000 dead and counting while the world stands by. Welcome to South Central Los Angeles. Filmmaker Stacy Peralta speaks with former and current members of the Bloods and the Crips, two of the most notorious and violent street gangs in America.
May 12 will bring the first Community Cinema season to a close with “Ask Not.” As wars rage in the Middle East, the U.S. military is eager for more recruits — unless you happen to be openly gay. “Ask Not” explores the tangled political battles that led to the infamous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and reveals the personal stories of gay Americans who serve in combat under a veil of secrecy.
Following an academic schedule, ITVS Community Cinema’s 2009-2010 season will begin in September.
The Emmy Award-winning PBS series “Independent Lens” advertises itself as “a film festival in your living room.” ITVS Community Cinema brings the film festival to the Central Library each month, with popcorn and conversation afterward. It’s a wonderful program and a great opportunity to expand your world, share your ideas with others … and you can be home by 8 p.m.
Penny Mitchell is the development director for Rocky Mountain PBS KRMJ.
