WEEKEND FILM SERIES
Sunday, February 20, 2011
3 PM & 5:30 PM
3:00 pm Freedom Riders
USA / 120 minutes / Rated: Not Rated
***
5:30 pm FOUR LIONS
UK / 102 minutes / Rated: R
Freedom Riders
In 1961, segregation seemed to have an overwhelming grip on American society. Many states violently enforced the policy, while the federal government, under the Kennedy administration, remained indifferent, preoccupied with matters abroad. That is, until an integrated band of college students -- many of whom were the first in their families to attend a university -- decided, en masse, to risk everything and buy a ticket on a Greyhound bus bound for the Deep South. They called themselves the Freedom Riders, and they managed to bring the president and the entire American public face to face with the challenge of correcting civil-rights inequities that plagued the nation.
Veteran filmmaker Stanley Nelson's inspirational documentary chronicles a chapter of American history that stands as an astonishing testament to the accomplishment of youth and what can result from the incredible combination of personal conviction and the courage to organise against all odds.
Based partly on Raymond Arsenault's acclaimed book Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice.
“A superb piece of filmic journalism.” – Variety
FOUR LIONS
Chris Morris' Four Lions is a whip-smart, laugh-out-loud comedy about four would-be British jihadists who have a pick ‘n’ mix approach to the Koran. Omar (Riz Ahmed) is disillusioned about the treatment of Muslims around the world and is determined to become a soldier. This is the most exciting idea Waj (Kayvan Novak) has ever heard. Better still it's a no brainer because Omar does his thinking for him. Opposed to Omar and everyone else on earth is the white Islamic convert Barry (Nigel Lindsay). Faisal (Adeel Akhtar) is the odd man out. He can make a bomb – but he can't blow himself up just now coz his sick dad has "started eating newspaper." Instead he's training crows to fly bombs through windows. The film, neither pro nor anti-religious, crackles with wit and tension, quarrelous banter and sharp comic timing.
“Four Lions is one of the funniest movies of the year.” – Associated Press
“You laugh until the laughter turns to ashes in your mouth. And then you laugh some more.” -- A.O. Scott, New York Times
“Brilliant written, superbly acted, and frequently hilarious.” -- ViewLondon
Tickets to each film, $15, are available at the BUEI gift shop.
Bermuda Docs is on Facebook, where filmgoers can find trailers of the two films.
Media Contact:
Duncan Hall
Programming Director, Weekend Film Series
bermudadocs@northrock.bm
or
Wendy Tucker
Director, BUEI
Wendy.tucker@buei.org
