Audiences from Bosnia to Columbia, from Maine to Puerto Rico, from China to Tacoma will grab a taste of independent film, as the Sundance Institute's Film Forward program rolls on for a fourth year. Film Forward will travel to eight locations - four in the United States, four overseas - from February to October 2013 - including a run in Tacoma, Sept. 3-7. The touring program doesn't focus on a traditional movie audience, but aims to "enhance greater cultural understanding, collaboration and dialogue around the globe by engaging audiences through the exhibition of films, workshops and conversations with filmmakers," according to its website.
Eight films will be screened to the public, for free: Town of Runners, the Light in Her Eyes, Chasing Ice, the Loving Story, Bones Brigade, Valley of Saints, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and Under the Same Moon. Moderated discussions following each screening, and filmmakers Julia Meltzer (The Light in Her Eyes)and Jerry Rothwell (Town of Runners) will be present Sept. 4 and 5.
"Truly a community effort, the city of Tacoma's Arts Program is partnering with The Grand Cinema, Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma Public Schools, Metro Parks, University of Washington-Tacoma, University of Puget Sound and more to present this robust and insightful program," said Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride in a release. "There is no cost to see any of these screenings and everyone is welcome. In particular, we would love to see those who are new to independent film, students and the local filmmaking community come out and attend."
In secular (pre-uprising) Syria, where women were not required to wear the hijab head covering, Houda al-Habash, the subject of Julia Meltzer and Laura Nix's film, The Light in Her Eyes, chose to wear it. Welcome to the Women's Mosque Movement, part of a global Islamic revival, in which women like Houda actively choose to be religious and girls' schools, like Houda's, seek liberation for women through intellectual ownership of Islam - much like it was during the "golden age" of Islam, when women commonly were teachers and religious leaders.
"My job as a filmmaker is to tell truthful stories about the world. I am hoping The Light in her Eyes will help audiences gain a greater understanding of women's roles and rights within conservative Islam, especially now while the Middle East is undergoing great change." said Meltzer in a release. "I am excited to meet audiences in Washington through the Film Forward program and participate in a dialogue about universal themes that unite and affect us all."
In Jerry Rothwell's latest film, Town of Runners, the innovative filmmaker introduces viewers to the peaceful, rural town of Bekoji in central Ethiopia where the majority of its inhabitants make a hard living as farmers. Aside from the seasonal crops that feed the town as well as the outlying regions of Ethiopia, this small breadbasket produces an astounding number of Olympic gold medal runners.
"Town of Runners is a film about opportunity, which is a theme that connects audiences from Ethiopia to Washington state," said Rothwell in a release. "From growing up in Kenya, to living in the United Kingdom, to filming around the world, I have come to realize how film can be a powerful medium to discuss global issues. I look forward to using Town of Runners as a catalyst for conversation."
Film Forward Schedule
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4
5 p.m.
Location: University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St.
Post film discussion: Moderated by Peter Wimberger, professor of Biology and director of the Slater Museum of Natural History at University of Puget Sound
Special screening with director Julia Meltzer
7 p.m.
Location: The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Ave.
Post film discussion: Julia Meltzer, director of The Light in Her Eyes; Dr. Therese Saliba, professor of Middle East Studies and international feminism at The Evergreen State College; moderated by Dr. David Coon, associate professor at University of Washington Tacoma
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5
(In-school screening for students at Truman Middle School)
Bones Brigade: An Autobiography
3:30 p.m.
Location: Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S.
Post film discussion: Ryan Spence, skateboarder and skate park designer; Robert Boyle and Kevin Carlton, Grit City Grindhouse; Ben Warner, Alchemy Skate Center; moderated by Taylor Woodruff, Grit City Grindhouse
Reception
4:30-5 p.m.
Location: Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St.
Meet Julia Meltzer, director of The Light in Her Eyes, and enjoy the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf and Book Art Exhibit, "Al-Mutanabi Street States Here." Light refreshments served
Special screening with director Julia Meltzer
5 p.m.
Location: Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St.
Post film discussion: Julia Meltzer, director for The Light in Her Eyes; moderated by Dr. Turan Kayaoglu, professor of Middle East Studies at University of Washington Tacoma
Tacoma Runners Thursday Beer Run
6:30-7:15 p.m.
Tacoma Runners will meet at The Grand Cinema, complete their run and return for refreshments preceding the screening of Town of Runners.
Special screening with director Jerry Rothwell
7:30 p.m.
Location: The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Ave.
Post film discussion: Jerry Rothwell, director of Town of Runners; moderated by Dr. Bill Kunz, University of Washington Tacoma
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
Time: 6 PM
Location: Jason Lee Middle School, 602 N. Sprague Ave.
Post film discussion: TBA
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
2 p.m.
Location: Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S.
Post film discussion: Moderated by Dr. Joanne Clarke Dillman, University of Washington Tacoma
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