News in the Arts: Series shines spotlight on diversity and community

Nelson Mandela takes in the view from his old cell in "Voices from Robben Island," which will be screened July 18.

Organized by Indie Memphis, the first "Freedom Series," which begins Thursday, is an ambitious attempt to celebrate human rights, showcase diversity and build bridges between local communities and cultures through the medium of film.

The movies screened during the series are intended to inspire talk -- literally and immediately, according to series curator Robin Salant. Each screening will be followed by a conversation involving the audience; the filmmakers (when available); people involved in civil liberties, health care, free speech issues or other topics related to the film; and the venue hosts.

At some screenings, the film will be only part of the show. For example, the opening night movie, "Complaints Choir," will be followed by a performance of the Memphis Complaints Choir -- a vocal ensemble that airs big and small grievances in song, as a means of catharsis, entertainment and protest.

Salant, a Memphis artist and longtime Indie Memphis supporter, said screenings in the Freedom Series will be held throughout the Memphis area. The Latin and Muslim communities will be represented, among others.

Salant said she was inspired to launch a Memphis freedom-themed film festival after a trip earlier this year to South Africa -- Cape Town, in particular.

"There were a lot of interesting art activities going on, and there are a lot of cultural parallels between there and Memphis," she said.

Among the cultural events she enjoyed was the "Free At Last" film festival, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release from prison of South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. The opening weekend of the Memphis Freedom Series coincides with "Mandela Day," the international celebration of Mandela's 92nd birthday, on July 18.

Programmed with the help of Indie Memphis executive director Erik Jambor and other volunteers, the Freedom Series runs through October, when it concludes with a couple of screenings that will be part of the Indie Memphis Film Festival, scheduled for Oct. 21-24.

All events are free, although a $5 donation is suggested, with proceeds benefiting various host organizations.

Here's the opening weekend schedule:

Thursday, 7 p.m., Malco's Studio on the Square, 2105 Court: "Complaints Choir," an hourlong feature examining a global performance-art phenomenon in which people join together to sing their personal and political grievances -- a seemingly harmless way to let off steam that nonetheless has met with resistance by some authoritarian regimes.

The film will be preceded by the animated short "Veiled Commodity," and followed by a performance by the Memphis Complaints Choir. Producer Frank Mauceri will attend. (Mauceri also is a member -- with punk rock legends Sylvain Sylvain and Cheetah Chrome -- of the Batusis, a band that will perform later that night at the Hi-Tone, 1913 Poplar.)

Friday, 7 p.m., Latino Memphis, 2838 Hickory Hill: The short "La Vos de los Sin Vos," followed by the feature "Intimidad," an acclaimed documentary, shot over four years, about a young Mexican couple trying to maintain their marriage -- and their dignity -- while supporting a family with pitiful factory wages.

A struggling Mexican couple is the focus of the documentary "Intimidad."

According to critic Michael Tully, the film offers "an unflinching glimpse into an underdeveloped Mexico that is teeming with poverty and struggle," while also playing "like a classic fictional romance."

3 p.m. July 17, Abundant Grace Fellowship, 1574 E. Shelby Dr.: The short " A .45 to 50th" with James Cromwell, followed by the feature documentary "Getwell," about the Church Health Center.

3 p.m. July 18, National Civil Rights Museum, 450 Mulberry: The short "From 'Helen Suzman's Story,' " featuring the late anti-apartheid activist, and "Voices from Robben Island," in which Nelson Mandela recalls his longtime imprisonment in the infamous island prison.

Later feature films will include "Talking Through Walls: How the Struggle to Build a Mosque United a Community," at 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Fogelman Executive Center, University of Memphis; and "Have You Heard from Johannesburg: The Bottom Line" (6 p.m. Aug. 12), "Change Comes Knocking: The Story of the North Carolina Fund" (6 p.m. Sept. 9), "The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter" (6 p.m. Oct. 14) and the Memphis-made "I Am a Man" (3 p.m. Oct. 24), all at the National Civil Rights Museum.

For more information, visit indiememphis.com/freedom.

'Outflix Summer Movie Series'

"Some Like It Hot" -- the classic 1959 comedy starring Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as 1920s Chicago musicians who disguise themselves as women and join Marilyn Monroe in an all-girl band to escape the wrath of vengeful gangsters -- screens at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Malco's Studio on the Square.

The movie is the first feature in the "Outflix Summer Movie Series," benefiting the gay-themed Outflix Film Festival, to be held Sept. 10-16.

Subsequent films in the summer series include 1996's "Beautiful Thing" (July 21), an acclaimed coming-of-age drama set in a London suburb; "Lady Sings the Blues" (Aug. 11), the 1971 biopic with Diana Ross as Billie Holiday; and "Steel Magnolias" (Aug. 18), with Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts.

Show time is 7 p.m. for each film, all of which will be screened at the Studio. Admission is a "suggested donation" of $10. For more, visit outflixfestival.org.

-- John Beifuss: 529-2394

© 2010 Go Memphis. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.