Free Diversity with Films Event in SURC Theatre This Week

November 2, 2009

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Central Washington University is hosting a mini movie series Tuesday, Nov. 3 and Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the SURC Theatre. The two-day Diversity with Films movie event features “Beauty of the Fight” and “Power of the Powerless.” Both showings are free and open to the public. Screenwriters and filmmakers will be on hand following each screening to answer audience questions.

The goal of the event, which is sponsored by CWU departments of history, political science, philosophy and foreign languages; the CWU film and video studies and humanities programs; the College of Arts and Humanities and the Diversity Education Center, is to use film as a medium to showcase the multiplicity of perspectives and ideas.

The November 3 showing, “Beauty of the Fight,” gives a voice to the daily struggles of the residents in the two Panamanian barrios, Barraza and El Chorrillo, which were invaded by US forces in 1989 to capture General Manuel Noriega. Directed by John Urbano, the film brilliantly depicts the dignity and joy of an entire community as its members fight to hold on to their homes and way of life in the face of private and commercial development. Moviegoers are invited to a question and answer period following the screening with the film’s screenwriting consultant, Rick Clark, who will share what it was like filming a community that was crumbling before his eyes. For more information on the documentary, visit http://www.beautyofthefight.com.

Wednesday’s showing of “The Power of the Powerless,” narrated by Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons, examines the harmful effects of erasing history 20 years after the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia. Featuring original interviews with dissidents such as former President Vaclav Havel, this film deftly contrasts the experiences of those who fought against the regime with the majority who silently complied with the communist way of life. The film also tells the inspirational story of the young people of former Czechoslovakia and their courageous role in the Velvet Revolution of 1989. In addition, it looks into why today's Czech youth aren't being taught about their own history.

“In this way the experience of the Czech and Slovakian people who fought the regime is inspiring and uplifting,” says Cory Taylor, the movie’s filmmaker, who was quick to note the harmful effects of erasing history. As he explains, “Societies that fail to address past injustices are tragically destined to repeat the same mistakes.”

Taylor, along with the film’s other filmmaker, Darin Nellis, will be available to answer audience questions following the showing. More information on this film can be found at http://www.powerofthepowerless.org.

CWU is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by calling the Center for Disability Services at 509‑963‑2171 or TDD 509‑963‑2143.

Media Contact: Marian Lien, CWU Diversity Education Center, 509-963-1685, lienma@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of placebound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.