Keyholes: Short Films from Israel/Palestine
Isenberg Flavin Family Auditorium (SOM 137)(map)
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Funny, poignant, heartbreaking, and consistently stunning, these shorts allow us keyhole glimpses into a world outside expected Israeli and Palestinian narratives. A rare chance to experience films not often seen for both political and social reasons (1 hour 29 min). Introduced and Guest Curated by Olga Gershenson (UMass).
"The Juniper Tree"
Isenberg Flavin Family Auditorium (SOM 137)(map)
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
The story centers on a Margit and her sister Katla who must flee after their mother killed and burned for witchcraft. They eventually seek solace with a father and son, Johan and Jonas, yet the presence of Katla's growing magic threatens their peaceful union. Introduced by Jeremi Szaniawski (UMass).
"Thirteen Ways"
Isenberg Flavin Family Auditorium (SOM 137)(map)
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Thirteen Ways elicits the hidden wonders of the natural world, confronts environmental dangers, and also delights in the myriad, sometimes astonishing, discoveries and insights of people from diverse walks of life as they encounter plants, animals, and the elements. Introduction by Malcolm Sen (UMass).
"Bento Harassment"
Isenberg Flavin Family Auditorium (SOM 137)(map)
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
A single mother struggles to connect with her rebellious teenage daughter until, in a fit of desperate, creative, mischievous inspiration, she prepares an overly cutesy chara-ben (character bento) lunch for her. When the bento box draws the unwanted attention of the daughter’s classmates at school, an escalating battle of wills ensues between mother and daughter until something has to give. Introduction by Amanda Seaman (UMass).
"Lives Well Lived"
Isenberg Flavin Family Auditorium (SOM 137)(map)
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
In this imaginative documentary, forty people aged 75 to 100 years, representing a collective life experience of 3000 years, share their secrets, wit, wisdom, and lessons on what it means to live life well. Introduction by Martin F. Norden (UMass).
OTV (New Series Preview Screenings)
Isenberg Flavin Family Auditorium (SOM 137)(map)
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Open Television (OTV) is a Chicago-based, award-winning, online platform for intersectional television that functions as both an entertainment site and a project of research and development. We are pleased to present the East Coast premiere of four new program episodes, none of which are online yet. Stay tuned for new episodes of Conspiracy Theorist, Code-Switched, Sex is A God Thing, and Sweaty Scales. Introduction by Shawn Shimpach (UMass).
Selection of Short Films by Lindsay Eve Van Dyke
Isenberg Flavin Family Auditorium (SOM 137)(map)
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Lindsay Van Dyke is a UMass Amherst alum (’12) returning to campus now as a director and Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker to share with us four short film projects she has recently made. Introduction by Bernadine Mellis (Mount Holyoke College).
"The Infiltrators"
Isenberg Flavin Family Auditorium (SOM 137)(map)
7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
A hybrid of cinematic approaches, The Infiltrators, directed by Cristina Ibarra and Sundance award winner Alex Rivera, combines vital documentary filmmaking with a gripping human-rights thriller in this true story of immigrant detention and deportation. Introduction by David Hernández (Mount Holyoke College).
