Join the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a free film festival called Films That Matter in July. The Center will present four thought-provoking contemporary hits with civil and human rights themes. All films will be shown in Woodruff Park in Downtown Atlanta. Enjoy dinner at 6:30 p.m at a nearby restaurant and get comfortable on the lawn for the films at dusk.
Film Schedule:
July 8-Invictus
July 15-Milk
July 22-Hotel Rwanda
July 29-The Secret Life of Bees
For the next four weeks I’ll go in to some detail about why each film was chosen and what we’re hoping you will take away from it.
.jpg)
The first film, Invictus, will be shown on the evening of July 8. Director Clint Eastwood tells the story of how President Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) inspired the South African National Rugby Team captain (Matt Damon) and his teammates to win the World Cup in 1995. Beyond the inspirational ability of sports films to bring people together, this film was a clear choice for Films That Matter because it ably handles the socio-political climate in South Africa when Mandela became President after being released from 27 years in prison.
We hope that screening this film for free in a public setting will allow droves of people to witness the strength change agents have displayed in our world. Watching Invictus left me with questions like:
- What can we learn from the non-violent political and social tools Mandela uses to lead his country through a fractious time?
- How and why do sports and the arts play such powerful roles in healing troubled regions?
- How might we replicate Mandela’s knack for tapping talents useful to his purposes in young and old, across racial lines, and representing a spectrum of sectors and spheres?
If you haven’t seen Invictus, you’re in for a powerful treat. If you have, come see it again. You will notice things you didn’t the first time and the outdoor setting will make it all the more special. Check back next week for some thoughts on Milk.