Film Series in African American Studies

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Welcome to our Film Series. Each year, we bring you four selections of some of the best educational and entertaining films available to the public. Our films will feature blacks in the United States, as well as Africans throughout the diaspora. With each film we will feature informed individuals who can help our audience place the film into context. Our discussions will include audience participation.

Showings

March 24, 2009: "Game of Change," (Mississippi State University men's basketball team v. Loyola
                University in 1963)

March 24, 2009: Game of Change. On March 15, 1963, the Mississippi State University Basketball team defied Governor Ross Barnett and the state legislature to play an integrated team, Loyola of Chicago, in the NCAA tourney. That game marked the first time that a Mississippi State University athletic team played a team with African American players. This milestone in race relations, heralded as one of the "25 Defining Moments in the First 100 years of the NCAA," was the subject of an hour-long documentary, "GAME OF CHANGE."

Produced by Jerald Harkness, son of Loyola's star forward Jerry Harkness, the film features commentary by two MSU professors, James C. Giesen (History) and Marty Wiseman (Political Science).

The documentary was shown for the first time at the NCAA Detroit Regional last year, the 25th anniversary of the game. To commemorate the pathbreaking act of the MSU basketball team, its second showing will be at Mississippi State Tuesday March 24 at 7 PM in Dorman 140. Harkness and Giesen are scheduled to discuss the film and answer questions following the presentation.

This event is sponsored by the Department of History, College of Arts & Sciences, and the Office of the Provost. For further information, contact James Giesen 5-7079 or jcg245@msstate.edu.

Location: Dorman 140
Time: 7:00 pm

Commentator: Dr. James Giesen and Jerald Harkness

February 26, 2009: "Sometimes in April," Rwanda, 1994

February 26, 2009: Sometimes in April. A selection in the 2005 Berlin Film Festival, "Sometimes in April" is a gripping presentation of a genocide in African history. In April 1994, over the course of approximately 100 days, almost 800,000 people were killed during an ethnic cleansing assault initiated by the Hutu tribe against the Tutsi tribe. They once shared the same country, friendships, and families, but all of that ended during the purge of 1994. People Magazine called the film "compelling." Entertainment Weekly said it was "stunning." And LA Weekly said it was "extraordinary." Rwanda in 1994 tested the will of people to survive and their courage to endure during times of shock and awe.

Location: Swalm Auditorium, Room 001
Time: 5:30 pm (Free Pizza and Drinks)

Commentator: Dr. Godfrey Uzoigwe, Professor of History

November 3, 2008: "The Vernon Johns Story: The Road to Freedom"

November 3, 2008: The Vernon Johns Story: The Road to Freedom. Staring Oscar nominee James Earl Jones, this movie is based on the life of Dr. Vernon Johns, the outspoken leader of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama in 1948. Outraged by the injustices African Americans faced in the South, Rev. Johns went on a one-man crusade against it. In many ways he planted the seeds at Dexter, which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. watered, until he was thrust into the national spotlight in 1956.

Location: Swalm Auditorium
Time: 6:30 pm

Commentator: Dr. Molefi Kete Asante

October 23, 2008: "The Great Debaters (2007)"

October 23, 2008: The Great Debaters (2007) - A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. Directed by Denzel Washington.

Location: McCool Hall, Rm. 100(Old Auditorium)
Time: 6:30pm