Monsoon Wedding

November 28, 2006
5:30 - 7:30pm
Intercultural Diversity Center
240 Student Union

An exuberant family drama set in Punjabi culture, where ancient tradition and dot-com modernity combine in unique and perfect harmony. As the romantic monsoon rains loom, the extended Verma family reunites from around the globe for a last-minute arranged marriage in New Delhi. "Monsoon Wedding" traces five intersecting stories, each navigating different aspects of love as they cross boundaries of class, continent, and morality. The film celebrates a contemporary India never before seen on screen. The film is filled with music, including ghazals (traditional love songs), modern Indian pop, jazz, bhangra (Punjabi folk/pop) and Bollywood music, all of which help to capture the varied and joyful sounds of a Punjabi wedding.

Rima Aranha, a doctoral student in the Social Foundations program in the Educational Leadership and Policy department, will facilitate a guided dialogue following the film.

We encourage you to use the comments section to discuss any subject related to the film.

Smoke Signals

October 24, 2006
5:30 - 7:30pm
Intercultural Diversity Center
240 Student Union

Critically acclaimed and a distinguished winner at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival! Set in Arizona, this is the story of two Native American boys on a journey. Victor is the stoic handsome son of an alcoholic father who has abandoned his family. Thomas is a gregarious goofy young man who lost both his parents in a fire at a very young age. When Victor's estranged father dies, the two men embark on an adventure to Phoenix to collect the ashes. You're in for a rare entertaining comic treat as this most unlikely pair leave home on what becomes an unexpectedly unforgettable adventure of friendship and discovery. "Smoke Signals" is the first movie to be written, directed, and co-produced by a Native American.

David Bray, Assistant Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity, & Affirmative Action Administration (EDAAA), will be facilitating our film discussion.

We encourage you to use the comments section to discuss any subject related to the film.

Entre Luz y Sol (Between Light & Sun)

September 26, 2006
5:30 - 7:30pm
Intercultural Diversity Center
240 Student Union

Young filmmakers, Clorinda Andrade and Kevin A. Lopez, UB alumna & graduate student, traveled to Cuba to explore one of its most apparent paradoxes, its tourism industry. Having traveled through the island for a month, both captured a more personal side of Cuba that many are never exposed to, a view of the country where Cubans are able to speak for themselves. Tourism has become the most important sector of the Cuban economy, and researchers predict that once it opens up to the U.S., one million visitors will arrive to the island. This film which was partly funded by the Miramax Minority Scholarship Fund, explores the current social effects of tourism on Cuban society.

The filmmaker & UB alumna, Clorinda Andrade, will be on hand to moderate a guided dialogue following the film.

We encourage you to use the comments section to discuss any subject related to the film.

Fall 2006 Diversity Film Series

The Intercultural & Diversity Center (IDC) & the Professional Staff Senate (PSS) Diversity Committee invite you to the Diversity Film Series. We are screening 3 films this semester highlighting diversity issues.

Immediately following the movie, a faculty/staff member will lead a group discussion examining the film and its themes.

Free Popcorn & Refreshments will be provided.

All films will be shown at:
Intercultural & Diversity Center
240 Student Union
5:30pm - 7:30pm

The films & dates are:
"Entre Luz y Sol (Between Light and Sun)" - Tuesday, September 26, 2006
"Smoke Signals" - Tuesday, October 24, 2006
"Monsoon Wedding" - Tuesday, November 28, 2006