We’re proud to announce the 2010/11 season of ITVS Community Cinema in Nashville. Now in its third year in Nashville, Community Cinema returns with nine compelling documentaries from this year’s lineup on Independent Lens, followed by engaging panel discussions and Q&A sessions. The free screening series begins in Nashville on October 30 with Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian , director Neil Diamond’s entertaining trip through the evolution of North American Native people (“Indians”) as portrayed in famous Hollywood movies, from the silent era to today. All screenings are free and take place in the theatre at the downtown branch of the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street.
There are plenty of local ties and interest in the schedule this year. Deep Down (November ’10) focuses on mountaintop removal in Eastern Kentucky. Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story (February ’11) , which Nashville Film Festival attendees got a sneak peek of this year, follows the story of Cyntoia Brown, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of an Antioch, Tennessee real estate agent at the age of 16. Welcome to Shelbyville (May ’11) focuses on the town of Shelbyville, Tennessee as it struggles to come to terms with a new wave of immigrants and grappling with what it means to be American. For Once in My Life (January ’11) was a crowd favorite at the 2010 Nashville Film Festival snagging multiple honors, including the Impact of Music Award.
Rounding out the series are The Calling, Bhutto, Pushing the Elephant and Two Spirits. A complete schedule of Community Cinema in Nashville follows.
The series is coordinated by Allison Inman and presented in partnership with ITVS, Nashville Public Television, Nashville Public Library, Nashville Film Festival and Hands On Nashville. Community Cinema takes place in more than 70 cities nationwide and online.
Community Cinema in Nashville 2010/11 Season:
October 30, 2010, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian by Neil Diamond
Reel Injun is an entertaining trip through the evolution of North American Native people (“The Indians”) as portrayed in famous Hollywood movies, from the silent era to today.
November 6, 2010, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
Deep Down by Jen Gilomen and Sally Rubin
Deep in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky, Beverly May and Terry Ratliff find themselves at the center of a contentious community battle over a proposed mountaintop removal coal mine.
December 18, 2010, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
The Calling by Daniel Alpert
“A look at young Americans — Christian, Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim — preparing to become the nation’s next generation of religious leaders, The Calling explores the forces that are drawing young people to serve their communities and their faith.
January 22, 2011, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
For Once in My Life by Jim Bigham and Mark Moormann
Made up of 28 musicians and singers who all have severe mental and physical disabilities, the Spirit of Goodwill Band challenges preconceived notions of what it means to be disabled.
February 26, 2011, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story by Daniel H. Birman
Follow the story of Cyntoia Brown, who is serving a life sentence for murder at the age of 16. Me Facing Life challenges our assumptions about violence and explores how factors such as biology and family history can doom some young people from the start.
March 26, 2011, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
Pushing the Elephant by Beth Davenport and Elizabeth Mandel
Pushing the Elephant captures one of the most important stories of our age, in which genocidal violence is challenged by the moral fortitude and grace of one woman’s mission for peace.
April 23, 2011, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
Bhutto by Duane Baughman
This film offers an intimate look at one of the most fascinating and important world leaders of our time, Benazir Bhutto. As the first woman to lead an Islamic nation, the former Pakistani Prime Minister’s life story unfolds like a tale of Shakespearean dimensions.
May 14, 2011, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
Welcome to Shelbyville by Kim Snyder
On the eve of the 2008 election, the town of Shelbyville, Tennessee finds itself embroiled in a struggle to come to terms with a new wave of immigrants and grappling with what it means to be American.
June 11, 2011, 3:00 p.m. (2:30 reception)
Two Spirits by Lydia Nibley
Fred Martinez was one of the youngest hate-crime victims in modern history when he was brutally murdered at 16. Two Spirits explores the life and death of a boy who was also a girl, and the essentially spiritual nature of gender.