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Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival
\nJan 16-20, 2020
\nThe Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan<\/p>\n
From Thursday, January 16th to the 20th, 2020, Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival will be held at\u00a0The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (which is also its primary sponsor). It offers films which address timely social issues including racial discrimination, LGTBQIA rights, environmental and water justice, immigrant rights and religious intolerance. Coinciding with the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day,\u00a0the festival’s films, special events, and conversations are all meant to inspire audiences to take action in the spirit of Dr. King\u2019s legacy. The festival\u2019s goal is to promote social action that leads to positive change in the world at large. JCC\u2019s Carole Zabar Film Center senior director Isaac Zablocki noted, “We selected films for the festival which touch on some of the most important topics that are relevant to our community today. We believe films can impact like no other form of communication and can help reshape our society by inspiring towards action.”<\/p>\n
Added JCC\u2019s Joseph Stern Center for Social Responsibility director Sheryl Parker, “This festival\u00a0is about much more than showing timely films on important issues. Our goal is to show\u00a0great\u00a0films that inspire people to want to do something \u00a0\u2014 and then provide them with concrete ways to move from inspiration to meaningful action.”<\/p>\n
Opening Night\u00a0selection: All Rise Closing Night\u00a0selection: Harriet<\/strong><\/em> Other highlights include:<\/p>\n Thrist For Justice<\/strong><\/em>: The East Coast premiere of\u00a0Leana Hosea\u2019s eye-opening documentary explores the devastating fallout felt by communities across the U.S. (from Flint, Michigan to the\u00a0Navajo Nation) whose water supplies have been contaminated and\u00a0where our most precious of resources, clean drinking water, is not being treated as a basic human right.<\/p>\n Changing The Game<\/strong><\/em>: Emmy Award-winning filmmaker\u00a0Michael Barnett\u2019s dynamic and transformative documentary takes us into the lives of three transgender high school athletes\u2014all at different stages of their athletic seasons, personal lives, and unique paths experiencing both success and fierce resistance in the world of sports.<\/p>\n We Are the Radical Monarchs<\/strong><\/em>: Linda Goldstein\u2019s thought-provoking documentary follows\u00a0a group of 8 to 12-year-old girls of color in Oakland, CA, called the Radical Monarchs–a social justice-oriented alternative to the Girl Scouts–whose\u00a0mission is to create and inspire a new generation of social justice activists.<\/p>\n The All-Americans<\/strong><\/em>: Billy McMillin\u2019s debut documentary tells of the East LA Classic–an annual football game between\u00a0the country\u2019s fiercest high school football rivals, James A. Garfield High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School, located in the nation\u2019s largest Latino immigrant community\u2014and the personal obstacles some of their players face while they strive to make sense of their\u00a0place in today\u2019s America.<\/p>\n Always In Season<\/strong><\/em>: Jacqueline Olive\u2019s debut feature documentary follows the harrowing story of a mother as she dives deeper into her son\u2019s horrific murder and sparks a national conversation to find justice for his case.<\/p>\n Slay The Dragon<\/em><\/strong>: Barak Goodman\/Chris Durrance\u2019s stirring documentary about a secretive, high-tech gerrymandering initiative launched 10 years ago which threatens to undermine our democracy and hailed by Variety as \u201cthe most important political film of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n The festival will also host events throughout the weekend:<\/p>\n Shabbat Shabbang: Presented in Partnership with Cinematters<\/strong> Cinematters R&R: Shabbat at the JCC<\/strong> Cinematters Social Justice Fair<\/strong> From Intention to Action: A Morning of Advocacy + Service<\/strong> Activism Caf\u00e9<\/strong> For an up-to-date schedule and speaker information, visit cinematters.film.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/strong>Formerly known as \u201cMonster,\u201d Anthony Mandler\u2019s timely criminal justice story tells of Steve Harmon, a young black teenager, honors student and aspiring filmmaker, who is charged with felony murder. Adapted from the best-selling novel by Walter Dean Myers, Mandler\u2019s debut feature premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and stars Jennifer Hudson, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jennifer Ehle, Jeffrey Wright and Tim Blake Nelson.
\nThursday, January 16
\n7 pm., followed by a Q&A and the opening night reception.<\/p>\n
\nThis special screening of\u00a0Kasi Lemmons\u2019 award nominated narrative feature tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America\u2019s greatest heroes. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn and Janelle\u00a0Mon\u00e1e, it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September and opened in theaters nationwide last month.
\nMonday, Jan. 20
\n5:30 pm., followed by a Q&A.<\/p>\n
\nOur dinners will include films, panels, and music that inspires social action\u2014taking the spiritual practice of breaking bread together and using our shared time to explore social justice, history, current and political happenings, and other matters of interest to Jewish and NYC audiences.\u00a0Pre-registration required.
\nFriday, Jan. 17
\n7 p.m. $18 per person<\/p>\n
\nAn amazing opportunity to experience the Cinematters Festival as a family and as a community, R&R is an incredible alternative to the typical New York Saturday and it\u2019s all free! Suitable for adults and children, this day will include films and artists, storytelling, the Peace of Heart Choir, text study on social justice, art, yoga, musical performance, discussions, panels, open play, and more.
\nSaturday, Jan. 18
\n2\u20135 pm. Free<\/p>\n
\nMeet face-to-face with representatives from community organizations doing powerful social justice work across a wide variety of issues, including climate change, housing justice, immigrant and refugee rights, and more! Come find a way to plug in, get connected, and take action.
\nSunday, Jan. 19
\nNoon\u20135 pm. Free<\/p>\n
\nJoin us\u00a0on Martin Luther King Jr. Day\u00a0for a morning of learning, reflection, service, and action to honor Dr. King\u2019s legacy. Participate in workshops on how to take action on immigrant rights, environmental justice, racial equity, and more; or participate in hands-on service projects, including cooking a meal for the B\u2019nai Jeshurun\/Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew Homeless Shelter.
\nMLK Day: Monday, Jan. 20
\n11 am.\u20132 pm. Free<\/p>\n
\nOn Martin Luther King Jr. Day there will be a series of conversations about the most critical issues of our time. Learn from artists and experts doing the work, and leave with a deeper understanding of how you can commit to making a change in the world.\u00a0Endless coffee included.
\nMLK Day: Monday, Jan. 20
\n11 am.\u20132 pm. Free<\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>