September 17, 2007

Control Room

November 13, 2007
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Intercultural & Diversity Center
240 Student Union

"The military. The media. The war in Iraq. Who is making history?" In the early days of the war in Iraq, Americans could turn on their televisions twenty-four hours a day and take a front row seat with coalition troops careening across the desert. We could follow the action live as precision bombers brought Iraqi cities to their knees and American POWs were rescued and triumphantly returned home as television heroes. We could watch soldiers toppling statues of Saddam Hussein. But as Americans witnessed U.S. victory at home, a different story unfolded on television sets throughout the Arab world. Qatari-based Al-Jazeera broadcast images of Iraqi civilian casualties and American POWs that were taboo in the American media. Many claim that as a result, America barred Al-Jazeera journalists from reporting on Wall Street and bombed their headquarters in Baghdad. As the saying goes there are always two sides to every story, but in a media-managed war where does the truth lie? With exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Al-Jazeera, American journalists, and the players at Central Command, "Control Room" takes an unprecedented look at the business of war. Run Time: 1 hour 23 minutes. MPAA Rating: NR.

Whale Rider

October 16, 2007
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Intercultural & Diversity Center
240 Student Union

"One young girl dared to confront the past, change the present and determine the future." "Whale Rider" is a contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. Featuring Keisha Castle-Hughes. Run time: 101 minutes. MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief language and a momentary drug reference.

Higher Learning

September 18, 2007
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Intercultural & Diversity Center
240 Student Union

"Question The Knowledge." This John Singleton drama examines the personal, political, and racial dilemmas facing a group of college freshmen as they begin their first semester at Columbus University in the mid-1990’s. Students from all different walks of life are strained to the breaking point by prejudice, inexperience, and misunderstanding as they encounter racial tension, rape, responsibility, and the pressure to perform in the classroom, on the track, or in front of their friends. Ultimately leading each character to examine the meaning of an education on a university campus. Featuring Omar Epps, Ice Cube, Tyra Banks, Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Rapaport. Run time: 127 minutes. MPAA Rating: R - Scenes of violence and sexuality, and for strong language.

Dawn Whited, Program Coordinator for the Intercultural Diversity Center, will facilitate a guided dialogue following the film.

Fall 2007 Selections

The Intercultural & Diversity Center (IDC) & the Professional Staff Senate (PSS) Diversity Committee are excited to offer another semester of the Diversity Film Series! This semester, we are screening three films 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:
"Higher Learning" - Tuesday, September 18, 2007
"Whale Rider" - Tuesday, October 16, 2007
"Control Room" - Tuesday, November 13, 2007