WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian-American Congressman Dr Ami Bera has welcomed the launch of the ‘Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative’ by the State Department. The program, championed by the late Representative John Lewis, brings together young leaders from India and the United States to advance social justice and civil rights by exploring the life and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“As the longest serving Indian-American member of the United States Congress, I am very excited that the US State Department has officially launched the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative, which was championed by the late great Congressman John Lewis,” Bera said on Friday. Bera is the longest serving Indian-American Congressman in the US House of Representatives. “Like Lewis, Gandhi and Dr. King were towering figures who committed their lives to the advancement of civil rights and social justice. By exploring the legacies of Gandhi and Dr. King, this exchange program will empower young leaders in India and the United States to advance these values forward to future generations. The Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative will also further strengthen the bonds between the people of India and the United States,” he said. Bera, who serves as Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, has long advocated for the exchange program, including co-sponsoring and voting for the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act introduced by the late Congressman John Lewis.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WEEKEND (January 14-18, 2021)
Festival promotes Social Action and Positive Change through Films, Special Events, and Conversations to Celebrate the Legacy of Dr. King
GEETA GANDBHIR’S ‘HUNGRY TO LEARN’
In Film Slate
“As we observe the Martin Luther King Day weekend, we’re proud to support a film festival that seeks to bend our attention to the vision of a more just and equitable world.” – Anne del Castillo: Commissioner, – NYC Mayor’s Office / Media and Entertainment
“When we launched Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival in January 2020, we were blown away by participants’ passion for some of today’s most pressing issues,” – Isaac Zablocki, Director: The Carole Zabar Center for Film, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
The 2nd Annual Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival, in collaboration with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan announces the lineup for the Fest, which runs virtually January 14-18, 2021.
“The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and the resulting conversations around ending systemic racism have reaffirmed the crucial need for events such as this, which create an opportunity to learn, discuss, and advocate as a community for a better future,” said Isaac Zablocki.
Building on the success of the inaugural event and national conversations around racial and social justice this year, the festival will present impactful films and conversations exploring inequality, injustice, advocacy, and social responsibility through the lens of issues such as racial discrimination, LGTBQIA+ rights, environmental justice, immigrants’ rights, women’s rights, and religious intolerance.
Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival Screening Lineup:
OPENING NIGHT
MLK/FBI
Dir: Sam Pollard l USA l 2020 l Doc l 1h 44m
Martin Luther King/J. Edgar Hoover (Photo / DOC NYC 2020)
‘MLK/FBI,’ is the highly anticipated film and screened before its official release date January 15. Based on newly declassified files, Pollard’s resonant film explores FBI director J. Edgar Hoover’s relentless campaign of surveillance and harassment against Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, when Dr. King is celebrated across political spectrums as a moral hero, it’s jolting to confront the years when US agents targeted him as a villain. Inspired by the work of historian David Garrow, the film uses recently declassified files to study the FBI’s motives and methods. A Q&A with Sam Pollard, follows.
CLOSING NIGHT
JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE
Dir: Dawn Porter l USA l 2020 l Doc l 1h 36m
John Lewis, Congressman (Photo: DOC NYC 2020)
‘John Lewis: Good Trouble’ chronicles the life and career of the legendary civil rights activist and Democratic Representative from Georgia, John Lewis. The film is a tribute to one of Dr. King’s peers and fellow civil rights activists. It explores the 60-plus years of John Lewis’ social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health care reform, and immigration, leaving viewers—and the festival as a whole—with the urgent message that we must act now for a better, more just tomorrow.
SHORTS
HIGH SCORE
DIRS: Serena Ryen & Ethan Itzkow l USA l 2020 l Narr l 16m
After a young man is fired from his job as a result of his casually offensive behavior, he finds the perfect people to blame: minorities. Newly inspired by the white supremacist ideology of the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, we watch as he sinks into the darkest pits of the internet and takes the ideas he finds there as his own. View the trailer youtu.be/oLMlf07xufk
IMAGINING THE INDIAN
DIRS: Aviva Kempner & Ben West l USA l 2020 l Doc l NYC Premiere l 22m
‘Imagining the Indian’ examines the ongoing movement surrounding the use of Native American names, logos, and mascots in the world of sports and beyond. Learn more at imaginingtheindianfilm.org
THE SACRIFICE ZONE
DIR: JULIE WINOKUR l USA l 2020 l Narr Doc l 32m
‘The Sacrifice Zone’ refers to The Ironbound district of Newark, New Jersey, which is one of the most toxic neighborhoods in the country. Maria Lopez-Nuñez, a Honduran-American resident there, is waging a war for environmental justice. She is part of the Ironbound Community Corporation, one of the most effective environmental justice organizations in the country. The film follows Maria as she leads a group of environmental justice fighters determined to break the cycle of poor communities of color serving as dumping grounds for our consumer society.
Watch the trailer player.vimeo.com/video/471460408?
Learn more at thesacrificezone.org
FEATURES
HUNGRY TO LEARN
DIR: GEETA GANDBHIR l USA l 2020 l Doc l 1h 25m
A scene from ‘Hungry To Learn.’ (Photo : DOC NYC 2019)
‘Hungry To Learn,’ by director Geeta Gandbhir is a poignant film about youth and food insecurity. It is the story of three American college students and a professor facing up to the painful reality that college tuition has gotten so high that some students can’t afford to pay it and also eat. This film explains how we got here and the high price paid on campuses around the country. To learn more, visit soledadobrienproductions.com/hungerfilm
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI
DIR: REGINA KING l USA l 2020 l Narrative l 1h 54m
‘One Night in Miami’ is a special presentation of Oscar-winning actor Regina King’s directorial narrative feature debut. A fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered to discuss their roles in the civil rights movement and cultural upheaval of the ‘60s.
NEVERTHELESS
DIR: Sarah Moshman l USA l 2020 l Doc l 1h 19m
‘NEVERTHELESS,’ takes a look behind the headlines of #MeToo and Time’s Up, ‘Nevertheless’ follows the intimate stories of seven individuals who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace or in a school context. Co-presented by Film Fatales.
MISSING IN BROOKS COUNTY
DIRS: LISA MOLOMOT & JEFF BERNISS l USA l 2020 l Doc l 1h 21m
The epicenter for migrant deaths in the United States isn’t on the border—it’s in Brooks County, Texas, 70 miles north of the Rio Grande. Two families arrive here to search for their missing loved ones and find a haunted land and very few answers. To learn more, visit missinginbrookscounty.com
BREAKING FAST
DIR: Mike Mosallam l USA l 2020 l Narr l 1h 32m
‘Breaking Fast’ is a romantic comedy that follows Mo, a practicing Muslim still reeling from heartbreak. The film is set against the twinkling lights of West Hollywood. When the all-American Kal offers to join Mo in his nightly Iftars (the traditional meal eaten by Muslims during Ramadan), the two start to discover that they have more in common than meets the eye.
THE CONDOR & THE EAGLE
DIRS: Sophie Guerra & Clement Guerra l USA l 2019 l Doc l 1h 30m
‘The Condor & The Eagle’ features Indigenous leaders deploying unparalleled global response and takes us on an adventure to unite the peoples of the Americas and deepen the meaning of “justice” while learning from each other’s long legacy of resistance to colonialism and its extractive economy. To learn more, visit thecondorandtheeagle.com
LOS HERMANOS / THE BROTHERS – Divided by Politics. United by Music
DIRS: Marcia Jarmel & Ken Schneider l USA l 2020 l Doc l 1h 24m
‘Los Hermanos’ is a film about virtuoso Afro-Cuban-born brothers—violinist Ilmar and pianist Aldo who live on opposite sides of a geopolitical chasm a half-century wide. Tracking their parallel lives in New York and Havana, their poignant reunion, and their momentous first performances together, this film offers a nuanced, often startling view of estranged nations through the lens of music and family.
Listen to Aldo Lopez Gavilian play the piano at youtu.be/rMgHMPZ9l7Y
Listen to “Pan con Timba” by Aldo Lopez-Gavilan (with violinist Ilmar) and the Harlem Quartet at youtu.be/SdiGXL9FeFk
To learn more, visit hermanosbrothersfilm.info
BLACK BOYS
DIR: Sonia Lowman l USA l 2020 l Doc l 1h 35m
‘Black Boys,’ a film for this historic moment, exposes the dehumanization of Black males in America at the intersection of sports, education, and criminal justice in a nation still struggling to rectify its past.
SHARED LEGACIES
DIR: Shari Rogers l USA l 2020 l Doc l 1h 35m
In ‘Shared Legacies,’ the crucial historical lessons of Black-Jewish cooperation are revisited and revived in this utterly fascinating and urgent call to action. Common cause was found in the turbulent ‘60s Civil Rights era, as Jewish leaders backed Dr. King’s efforts at racial equality and harmony. Yet, the relationship has frayed in recent years, as a once mighty bond of support and respect has seemingly faded, been forgotten or ignored. Shared Legacies is a collaboration between the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, the Jewish Museum, and Film at Lincoln Center.
TICKETS
The early bird full festival pass that includes access to all conversations and films, can be streamed on demand during the event. Tickets for individual screenings are also available.
For more information, up-to-date schedule, speaker information and tickets, visit cinematters.film
About Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival
The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan’s Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival presents impactful films that engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society. In the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy, the Center’s goal is to promote social action that leads to positive change in our society and beyond. For updates and more information, visit mmjccm.org/arts-film/film/cinematters
About The Carole Zabar Center for Film
The JCC’s film program showcases films that promote change and examine important topics. The Center hosts four film festivals: The ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, The Other Israel Film Festival, the Israel Film Center Festival, and the Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival. To learn more, visit mmjccm.org/node/8331
About The Joseph Stern Center for Social Responsibility
The Joseph Stern Center for Social Responsibility educates, inspires, and empowers people to work toward a better and fairer world through learning, volunteering, and activism. To learn more, visit mmjccm.org/node/8326
About the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Together with its community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan creates opportunities for people to connect, grow, and learn within an ever-changing landscape. The cornerstone of progressive programming in Manhattan, the JCC has been committed to serving the community by offering programs, classes, and events that reach beyond neighborhood boundaries, reaching people at all stages of their lives. Learn more at mmjccm.org
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)
“The word ‘Satyagraha’ in Sanskrit means two things ‘non-violence’ and ‘insistence on the truth’….. And that is what John Lewis was all about.”
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker – US House of Representatives
He Always ‘Insisted On The Truth’
‘The Conscience of the Congress’
‘When He Spoke, People Listened When He Led, People Followed’
‘One Country, One Destiny’
‘Living Example of Courage and Faith and Action’
Among Big Six leaders of the Civil Rights Movement
At the funeral of Civil Rights Icon Congressman John Lewis held on July 30 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of John Lewis, “when he spoke, people listened; when he led, people followed.” She also said that ‘Satyagraha’ is what John Lewis was all about.
He said to Pelosi, “ In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and non-violence is the more excellent way. Answer the calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe in.” Pelosi went on to say, “Non-violently he insisted on the truth wherever he went: in Nashville, in Selma, in Washington D.C., at the Lincoln Memorial; and he insisted on the truth in the Congress of the United States.”
USA. Selma, Alabama. October 7, 1964. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organized “Freedom Day”, an attempt to get residents registered to vote. John Lewis being arrested.
John Lewis died on July 17, 2020.
Inspired and mentored by Rev. Martin Luther King and his visit to India, in 2009 Congressman John Lewis led a congressional delegation visit to India in order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s visit to India.
Inspired by his own visit, Congressman Lewis started the Gandhi-King Exchange Act to seek to apply the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to conflict resolution efforts and current policy challenges.
The Congressional committee on July 29 honored the two icons (King and Lewis) of Civil Rights by passing a bill written by the late American Civil Rights leader John Lewis (and co-sponsored by Congressman Ami Bera). The Act would establish an exchange initiative between the United States and India to study the work and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE, The Film
“She’s (Dawn Porter, Director) dedicated her career to giving voice to the voiceless, and I like to think of my job as an ally, fighting for her vision.” – Laura Michalchyshyn, Co-Producer
“Dawn Porter directed this documentary and she brilliantly puts the spotlight squarely on Congressman John Lewis. Good Trouble is his show. – Erica Alexander, Co-Producer
“RIGHT ALWAYS WINS” – John Lewis
JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dawn Porter (TRAPPED, GIDEON’S ARMY), chronicles the life and career of the legendary Civil Rights activist and Democratic Representative from Georgia. Using interviews and rare archival footage, JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE chronicles John Robert Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, now 80 years old, Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life.
In Porter’s film, John Lewis gets the opportunity to tell us about his life, in his own words. His story. And it’s a good story.
A Profile in Courage and Principles: Persistent Yet Calm
‘It’s going to be okay, because right always wins,’ he told co-producer Erica Alexander “to keep my eyes on the prize and never give up, never give in. Don’t become bitter and hostile.” She learned from John Lewis how to be young, gifted and black in American politics when she campaigned with him and other supporters in Georgia. “Mr. Lewis was the perfect teacher and a patient host. He was also a gentleman, who opened our doors and helped us up the steps. It was heaven. I didn’t know then that that real-world work, and access, would lead to making the congressman’s documentary.” Alexander said.
John Lewis with peaceful protestors, Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965.
Early Life
Now we get to know what it was like for him growing up a black sharecropper in Alabama in a large, loving family. He honed his fiery, oratorical skills, by preaching to the family’s chickens. He tells us how he met Martin Luther King and began his work as a student activist with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), traveling through Jim Crow south as a Freedom Rider. As the young chairman of the SNCC from 1963 to 1966, Lewis was one of the ‘Big Six’ Civil Rights leaders of the era. This all leads to the fateful day on the Edmund Pettus Bridge (Selma, AL), where white policemen stormed their peaceful march and cracked his skull open, nearly killing him. In his appearance on national television that afternoon, bloodied and bruised, Lewis called for President Lyndon Johnson to intervene on behalf of voting rights. Until his last, he still bore scars from that brutal encounter.
ABOUT REP. JOHN R. LEWIS :
The Conscience of the Congress
But John Lewis not only survived all of that, and more, he thrived and became a husband to his beautiful wife and political partner, Lillian Miles, a father to his son John Miles Lewis, and was elected to the Congressman from Georgia who earned the respect of his red and blue state peers, who lovingly call him, “The conscience of the Congress.”
“To young legislators, he demonstrates that you can live your principles and get things done, while still being true to yourself. To his seasoned colleagues, he’s a consistent and loyal friend. So, my goal was to include the kinds of voices that would speak to each of these different experiences,” Porter said.
A Timely Topic
John Lewis: Good Trouble explores a variety of issues that are associated with Lewis but pays particular attention to one that is perhaps most closely associated with the Congressman’s tenure in politics: the Voting Rights Act. “Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made the comment that John Lewis can’t be separated from the Voting Rights Act, and she’s absolutely right,” says Porter. “Many of his early activities were centered on gaining access to the vote, so we really wanted to highlight what that battle has been like for both him and the country. And considering how much voter suppression we’ve seen recently, that subject speaks volumes right now.”
Key Credits
Dawn Porter: Director
Laura Michalchyshyn, Dawn Porter, Erika Alexander and Ben Arnon: Producers
Jessica Congdon: Editor
Tamar-kali: Music
Length: 1h 36m
Release Date: Currently running
Tickets: johnlewisgoodtrouble.com
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, Spirituality, The Arts and Entertainment, and Health & Wellness)
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