Thursday, February 7, 2013

Cinema Politica tomorrow - United in Anger

Cinema Politica at the University of Winnipeg is presenting another film screening tomorrow, this one in cooperation with  the UWSA LGBT* Centre and Genderfest Winnipeg. We'll be showing United in Anger: A History of Act Up  at Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall on Friday, February 8th at 6:00 p.m.

Directed by veteran celebrated film maker Jim Hubbard (US, 2012), United in Anger: A History of Act Up is a unique feature-length documentary that combines startling archival footage that puts the audience on the ground with the activists and the remarkably insightful interviews from the ACT UP Oral History Project to explore ACT UP (the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) from a grassroots perspective – how a small group of men and women of all races and classes, came together to change the world and save each other’s lives.

The film takes the viewer through the planning and execution of a half dozen exhilarating major actions including Seize Control of the FDA, Stop the Church, and Day of Desperation, with a timeline of many of the other zaps and actions that forced the U.S. government and mainstream media to deal with the AIDS crisis. United in Anger reveals the group’s complex culture – meetings, affinity groups, and approaches to civil disobedience mingle with profound grief, sexiness, and the incredible energy of ACT UP.

Please join us after the film for a panel discussion and art presentation of 'Poster Virus' works. The aim of the event is to examine dominant biomedical approaches towards HIV prevention priorities, and allow for a discourse regarding ‘expert truths’ and their relation to real lived experiences of those affected by HIV.  Panelists include Jessica Whitbread (Canadian Treatment Action Council) and Gina McKay (Nine Circles Community Health Centre).

All screenings will be open to all audiences – everyone is welcome. Admission is free, but donations to offset the costs of screening the film are welcome.

Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall is located on the third floor of Centennial Hall at The University of Winnipeg. Parking.

Gallery 1C03 and the UWSA wish to thank Cinema Politica for making it possible for us to participate in this network. We are grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for generously supporting this initiative.

Image: Scene from United in Anger.

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