Monthly Film Screenings
-
Every Tuesday 6pm @ the American Center Auditorium
Entrance Free! Seating is limited and is first-come, first-served. Please contact the American Center at amcentersl@state.gov or at (11) 249-8100 with any questions. No parking available.
-
February 5 - Glory
As the US Civil War protracts and drains even the vast resources of the north, an experiment is made with black troops, serving in a special regiment under an all-white officer corps. Since the traditional military establishment considers this a bad joke, the young abolitionist idealist Robert Gould Shaw from a very privileged family gets the rank of Colonel with the dubious honor to command the black volunteers, mainly illiterate former slaves. Even his personal friend and second in command, Major Cabot Forbes, lacks confidence in the project. They must overcome countless difficulties in training and procurement before the unit can even enter the war, but end up covering themselves and the Union army with glory against the Confederates. (Running time: 122 minutes)
-
February 12 - The Tuskegee Airmen
Based on a true story, The Tuskegee Airmen chronicles the experiences of the first African-American fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Using Hannibal Lee (Laurence Fishburne) as a focal point, the movie follows the airmen from their initial training at Tuskegee, Alabama, through their combat assignments during World War II. Featuring fascinating vintage military planes and exciting air-combat footage, the film also depicts the racism encountered by the pilots. In one example, the airmen are forced to give their seats on a crowded train to German prisoners of war. Even after the airmen complete their training, the military brass is reluctant to trust them in battle. But First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt publicizes their plight by going to Tuskegee and having one of the African-American pilots take her for a plane ride, and shortly thereafter the airmen are assigned a combat role. (Running time: 111 minutes)
-
February 19 - Malcolm X
A biography of Malcolm X, the famous African American leader. Born Malcolm Little, his father (a minister) was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. He became a gangster, and while in jail discovered the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad. He preaches the teachings when let out of jail, but later on goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, there he converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim. He changes his name to El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz and stops his anti-white teachings, as he realizes the error of his mistakes. Denzel Washington was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Malcolm X. Reuniting with Spike Lee at his best on Malcolm X, Washington again slipped inside the skin of the controversial black leader in a superb lead performance. (Running time: 201 minutes)
-
February 26 - The Pursuit of Happiness
The rousing, true-life story of a single dad who went from living on the streets to owning his own brokerage firm is brought to the big screen by superstar Will Smith, appearing for the first time opposite his real-life son Jaden Smith. Set in early-'80s San Francisco, this academy award nominated film charts the hard times and eventual comeback of Chris Gardner, a suddenly single salesman who has custody of his son, but finds that providing for the two of them is a challenge in the increasingly unstable economic climate. He struggles to work his way from unpaid intern at Dean Witter to something more substantial, even as life continues to offer him setbacks. (Running time 117 minutes)