CINCINNATI, OH — The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced the Freedom Film Series today, in partnership with the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission, beginning Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. with a free screening of Stories from an Undeclared War. A welcome reception will be held in the Grand Hall with the film screening promptly at 6:30 p.m. in the Harriet Tubman Theater. The Freedom Film Series is sponsored by Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.
“We are thrilled to partner and provide a festival like viewing and atmosphere for the community,” says Kristen Schlotman, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission. “The Freedom Film Series will inspire discussion and take advantage of the premier theater housed in the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.”
The Freedom Film Series will reveal stories about the pursuit of freedom past and present, reflecting on struggles and celebrating victories that encourage dialogue and change. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will screen films between November 2015 and June 2016, each featuring an in-depth discussion with film makers, producers, community leaders or other special guests.
“We are honored to partner on this initiative with the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission,” says Dr. Michael Battle, executive vice president and provost of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “Films have the power to connect us, move us to action – especially films about freedom struggles and triumphs. This series will not only bring the community together for film screenings; it will engage each of us in conversations that examine our place in the world around us.”
Stories from an Undeclared War, the first film in the series, is the powerful story of 150 at-risk students from Long Beach, California, who were considered unteachable. Inspired by their teacher, Erin Gruwell, and the writings of Anne Frank, the students discover a new way to express themselves. In a racially divided community where adolescents had been exposed to drugs, gang warfare and homicides, Gruwell made it her goal to teach students to put down their fists and guns and to pick up a pen – and become Freedom Writers. This documentary follows the students’ story from the first day of freshman year in 1994 to the present.
Following the screening of Stories from an Undeclared War, several of the at-risk students featured in the documentary – now adults – will engage the audience in a reflective and thought-provoking discussion on their experiences as Freedom Writers.
Other films included in the series include a special Work-in-Progress screening of documentary film Olympic Pride, American Prejudice in February 2016 in partnership with the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education, American Pastime in May 2016 and Get on the Bus in June 2016.
“We are proud to support the Freedom Film Series and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center,” said Amy Kendall, senior vice president and regional branch manager for Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. “The messages of these films and the Center’s mission are in line with our commitment of doing the right thing and treating our employees, customers and all the members of the communities in which we do business and beyond with the utmost fairness and respect.”
The screening of Stories from an Undeclared War on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. is free and open to the public. The Freedom Film Series, in partnership with the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission, is sponsored by Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. To learn more about the Freedom Film Series visit freedomcenter.org