<< Back 9/25/02 Peace and justice film festival includes post-movie discussions SMN The Western North Carolina Peace Coalition is sponsoring a Peace and Justice Film Festival to be held at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday evening from Sept. 26-Oct. 31 downstairs at Jubilee Community Church at 101 Patton Ave. Each film and be followed by a discussion of issues raised with regard to the current world situation, with the exception of the final film, which will be followed by a Halloween party. A list of the films and the days they are showing follows. ° Sept. 26: “Born on the Fourth of July” (2 hours, 25 minutes) — A depiction of the life of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran who comes to oppose the war that leaves him disabled. The film explores not just the wars in Vietnam and at home but also how the idea and ideals of a nation create its people's philosophy, and vice versa. ° Oct. 3: Double Feature: “War is Not a Game” (32 minutes) and “The Good War and Those Who Refuse to Fight It” (1 hour) — The first film documents the devastating effects of war on the lives of children. It combines testimonies of refugee children with comments of professionals in this field, all interwoven with original music and refugee children's artwork. The second film tells the stories and explores the legacies of World War II’s conscientious objectors (COs), who paved the way for a generation of nonviolent activists that would change American society. ° Oct. 17: “Deadly Currents” (1 hour, 55 minutes) — A thoughtful film which documents the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, yet goes far beyond the stereotypes to create an amazing portrait of societies at war. Arabic and Hebrew with English voice over and subtitles. ° Oct. 10: “Slam” (1 hour, 39 minutes) — Cinema-verite is used to follow Raymond Joshua (U.S. poet Saul Williams) through his rounds, from the rough neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., to jail on a drugs charge where he realizes the potential of his poetic talent. Real prisoners were used for the jail scenes in which anger and bitterness are palpable. ° Oct 24: “Marriage of the Blessed” (1 hour, 10 minutes) — One of the most controversial works of of Iranian cinema. A veteran of the Iran-Iraq war struggles to adjust to civilian life. An honest depiction of the personal price of war. In Farsi with English subtitles. ° Oct 31: “King of Hearts” (1 hour, 40 minutes, Halloween Party and Masquerade) — During World War I, the inhabitants of a French town flee after hearing that the Germans have planted explosives there. However, the door to a mental hospital is left open, allowing the inmates to escape and take over the village. When Peter, a Scottish soldier, arrives to defuse the bombs, he becomes involved with the patients — who crown him their king. However when German and English troops march in, Peter finds he must choose between the lunatics of the town, and the lunatics of war. French, German and English, with subtitles. For more information, contact Cicada at 828.277.0758 or by email at wncpc@main.nc.us