Films on the History of the Civil Rights Movement

Films on the History of the Civil Rights Movement

11 - 24 March 2010


The Association for Historical Dialogue & Research has the pleasure of inviting you to its next series of film screenings, featuring films that showcase the history of the struggle for civil rights in America. Along with showing one of the earliest films of the feminist movement, there will be a special focus on the role played by music, such as jazz and blues, in the civil rights movement. Following the screening of each film, there will be discussions led by guest speaker, Dr. Peter Rutkoff, Professor of American Studies at Kenyon College, and Rena Choplarou, AHDR Board Member. All screenings will take place at the J William Fulbright Center.


11 March, 18.30 Salt of the Earth

17 March, 19.30 Eyes on the Prize

18 March, 19.30 Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (co-hosted by the Cyprus Fulbright Commission and co-facilitated by U.S. Scholar, Dr. Beauty Bragg)

23 March, 18.30 Deep Blues

24 March, 18.30 Bird


For reservations and for more information, please email: "AHDR-MIDE" at ahdr.mide@gmail.com, or call: Andrea Nicolaou Tel: +357.99935683 and/or Shirin Jetha Tel: +90.5338650702


We look forward to seeing you there!


This event is part of Association for Historical Dialogue and Research’s (AHDR) project on Multiperspectivity and Intercultural Dialogue in Education (MIDE) and is supported by the Cyprus Fulbright Commission.

Multiperspectivity and Intercultural Dialogue in Education (MIDE) is supported by the United Nations Development Programme – Action for Cooperation and Trust (UNDP-ACT). The European Commission partially supports one of AHDR’s latest research projects on Representations of History.


Films on the History of the Civil Rights Movement
11 - 24 March 2010


Salt of the Earth: 11 March 2010, Thursday – 18.30

Written (Michael Wilson), produced (Paul Jarrico) and directed (Herbert Biberman) by members of the “Hollywood Ten” – a group of individuals who were blacklisted by the Hollywood establishment due to their involvement in Socialist politics. This 1954 film has been hailed as one of the first “Feminist” motion pictures. Based on an actual strike which occurred in New Mexico against the Empire Zinc Company; Salt of the Earth deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers who sought to claim wage parity with their Anglo colleagues. The producer and directors used actual miners and their families who participated in the strike, to create a realistic aspect to the film.


Eyes on the Prize: 17 March 2010, Wednesday – 19.30

Part of an extraordinary 14-hour documentary series about the African-American Civil Rights Movement, Eyes on the Prize tells the definitive story of the civil rights era. The narrative of the film tells the story from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions launched a movement that changed the fabric of American life. Directed by Henry Hampton and narrated by Julian Bond, Eyes of the Prize is the winner of numerous Awards. Moreover, the film has been used extensively in schools and other educational settings as a way to convey the experiences and history of the civil rights era.ial marriages. Up until June of 1967, the year in which the film was released, interracial marriages in seventeen southern American states were still illegal. Produced and directed by Stanley Kramer and written by William Rose, Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner tells the story of Joanna Drayton, a young White American woman who has a whirlwind romance with African American Dr. John Pretience. The film cleverly shows the uncomfortable reactions of Joanna’s family and friends to her choice of partner, as well as tackling black-on-black racism.


Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to the Crossroads: 23 March 2010, Tuesday - 18.30


A 1991 documentary film that delves into the Delta Blues music scene. Directed by Robert Mugge, written by Robert Palmer and produced by brothers David and Robert Stewart, the film takes a voyage into the locations of the Blues music scene, including places such as Memphis, Clarkesdale and Greenville. Deep Blues provides a fascinating insight into the history and background of Blues music with narration by Robert Palmer.



Bird: 24 March 2010, Wednesday – 18.30

A tribute to legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker. This 1988 biographical film uses a collage of scenes to play homage to Parker’s life from his childhood in Kansas City, up until his death life at the age of 34. Produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, with the screenplay written by Joel Oliansky.



ALL FILMS WILL BE SHOWN AT THE J WILLIAM FULBRIGHT CENTER,

UN BUFFER ZONE, NICOSIA