The new season of Community Cinema kicks off in September! Screenings are held at the Starz FilmCenter on the Auraria campus in Denver (address below). All screenings are free and include a panel discussion afterward. Parking is also free – take a ticket at the entrance and have it validated at the theater. See you there!
Chicago 10
Mixing animation with archival footage, "Chicago 10" explores the buildup to and unraveling of the protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the ensuing 1969 Conspiracy Trial. The film portrays the struggle of young Americans speaking out and taking a stand in the face of an oppressive and armed government.
Wednesday, September 24, 7 p.m.Lioness
They went to Iraq as cooks, clerks and mechanics and returned a year later as part of America's first generation of female combat veterans. "Lioness" gives an intimate look at war through the eyes of women and the U.S. military policy that bans them from combat.
Wednesday, October 29, 7 p.m.I.O.U.S.A.
As the Baby Boomer generation prepares to retire, many experts warn that if we continue down this financial road, America will be flat broke in a generation. This film looks at how America must mend its spendthrift ways or face an economic disaster of epic proportions.
Tuesday, November 25, 7 p.m.Helvetica
The typeface Helvetica is ubiquitous, spelling out everything from IRS tax forms to the corporate logos of Target, Crate & Barrel and Fendi. This film explores urban spaces, the typefaces that inhabit them and speaks with historians and designers about the choices and aesthetics behind the use of fonts.
Wednesday, December 10, 7 p.m.Tulia, Texas
In 1999, undercover narcotics agent Thomas Coleman executed one of the biggest drug stings in Texas history. Coleman and his drug task force arrested 46 Tulia residents – of which 39 were African American – on charges of suspected drug dealing. This is the story of a small town's search for justice and the price Americans pay for the nation's war on drugs.
Wednesday, January 28, 7 p.m.Tuesday, January 13, 6pm (Mesa County Library, Grand Junction)Arusi Persian Wedding
Iranian American filmmaker Marjan Tehrani chronicles her brother's return to Iran during the start of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, as he travels with his American wife to have a traditional Persian wedding and explore his lost heritage. In weaving the couple's personal story with historical footage, the film examines the history, impact and troubled relationship between Iran and America.
Wednesday, February 25, 7 p.m.
Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai
This film follows Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai in her quest to reclaim her land and her culture through the disarmingly simple act of planting trees. Her call to action fostered community solidarity, environmental literacy and political resolve that helped to bring down Kenya's 24-year dictatorship.
Wednesday, March 25, 7 p.m.Crips and Bloods: Made in America
South Los Angeles is home to two of America's most infamous African-American gangs: the Bloods and the Crips. The director interviews current and former gang members, family members and experts to examine the conditions that have lead to the devastating gang violence.
Wednesday, April 19, 7 p.m.
Ask Not
This film offers a rare exploration of the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. It exposes the tangled political battles that led to the discriminatory law and profiles charismatic activists determined to abolish it. As the war rages on, the film reveals personal stories of gay Americans who serve in combat under a veil of secrecy.
Wednesday, May 27, 7 p.m.
Starz FilmCenter
900 Auraria Parkway
Denver, CO 80205
303-595-3456
directions and parking informationAbout Community CinemaITVS Community Cinema is a free monthly screening series featuring films from the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens. Every month between September and May in over 50 cities nationwide, Community Cinema screenings convene community members, leading organizations, and public television stations to encourage dialogue and action around the important social issues raised in the films.
