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| TWN July News: Screenings, Grants & More
Third World Newsreel and NewFilmmakers Series Present Asian American Shorts Program
Life or Liberty by Konrad Aderer, 8 minutes
Shokriea Yaghi copes with the senseless incarceration of her husband in 9/11's aftermath. A Japanese American woman who lived through the WWII camps shares her bitterness and her fears for the future, as immigration law expert Cyrus Mehta and former federal prosecutor Michael Wildes debate the larger context of anti-terror policies. Part of the Call to Media Action series.
Rising Up: The Alams by Konrad Aderer, 11 minutes
See how a Bangladeshi-American family targeted by Special Registration fights back. As part of the Homeland security measures, immigrant men from 25, mostly Muslim countries were required to enroll in a Special Registration program. The result: no evidence of terror, but some 13,000 people are now being deported mostly for expired visas. The Alams were among the many families who believed that voluntarily participating in the Special Registration would show their loyalty. Instead, they face the prospect of breaking up their family, despite a decade of hard work and the raising of two children. Working with DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving), the Queens South Asian activist group, the Alams have become activists, organizing to fight for their right to stay. Part of the Call for Change series.
Two Months to Home by Janice Ahn, 8 minutes
Samira Rahman is an Afghan mother who narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Taliban just months before September 11, 2001. Upon arrival in the U.S., she is unduly held in a makeshift detention center for two months. Her husband and four children and are elated and relieved when she is finally released and allowed to remain in New York City. Samira learns a hard lesson about life in the U.S.; the price of immigration; the joy of motherhood; and the importance of finding strength in herself.
Dastaar: Defending Sikh Identity by Kevin Lee, 12 min
A restaurant owner beaten. A policeman fired. A 20 year subway conductor born in the U.S., threatened with job loss: All for wearing the signature turbans of their religion, Sikhism. Since 9/11, hate crimes and job losses have plagued the Sikh-American community, whose religion originated in India, and is not even Islamic. In response, the NYC Sikh community has organized to confront the bias and attacks, through legal suits, pressure on city officials and proactive public education. An excellent introduction to an often misunderstood religion and the success of community activism. Part of the Call for Change series.
December 7/September 11 by Ann Brandman & Paul Nishijima, 15 minutes
A comparison of how the events and possible after effects of September 11th may mirror those of the attack on Pearl Harbor. A collection of interviews with Japanese-American veterans who witnessed the events of December 7 in Hawaii offer their insight into what has happened and what might be to come. Part of the Call to Media Action series.
Tuesday, July 5th, 6PM
Anthology Film Archives
32 Second Avenue, corner of East Second Street
New York, NY
Admission: $6
more info
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Enemy Alien Sneak Preview at Anthology Film Archives
Join Japanese American filmmaker Konrad Aderer to a sneak preview of his upcoming documentary film Enemy Alien.
Enemy Alien, a first-person documentary, is the gripping story of the fight to free Farouk Abdel-Muhti, a gentle but indomitable Palestinian-born human rights activist detained in a post-9/11 sweep of Muslim immigrants. Told through the eyes of the filmmaker, the grandson of Japanese Americans interned during World War II, this documentary takes on unprecedented intimacy and historical resonance.
As the filmmaker confronts his own family legacy of incarceration, his involvement in the current struggle deepens. Resistance brings consequences: In retaliation for organizing a massive protest from inside detention, Farouk is beaten and locked in solitary confinement, and his American-born son Tarek is arrested in a counterterrorism investigation into the documentary itself.
Tuesday, July 5th, 9:30PM
Anthology Film Archives
32 Second Avenue, corner of East Second Street
New York, NY
Admission: $6
more info
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Ebony Goddess: Queen of Ilê Aiyê at Modern Dance Festival
This short documentary follows three women competing to be the carnival queen of Ilê Aiyê, a prominent and controversial Afro-Brazilian group with an all-black membership. The selection is based on Afro-centric notions of beauty, in counterpoint to prevailing standards of beauty in Brazil, a country famous for slim supermodels and plastic surgery. Contestants for the title of Ebony Goddess dress in flowing African-style garments, gracefully performing traditional Afro-Brazilian dances to songs praising the beauty of black women.
Friday, July 8th, 6PM
Sunday, July 10th, 12PM
Modern Dance Festival
Modern Art Museum of Forth Worth
3200 Darnell Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107
more info
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