SULPHUR, Okla. - The Chickasaw Nation, in collaboration with the Sundance Institute and partners, will present "Film Forward: Advancing Cultural Dialogue."
This special film event, featuring the work of independent filmmakers, is set for Sept. 6-8 at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur.
Friday and Saturday film screenings and events are free and open to the public.
Film Forward, an initiative of the Sundance Institute and partners, promotes cultural dialogue. Independent documentaries and narrative film are featured. The initiative utilizes film's unique ability to tell stories that explore universal themes.
Seven films and filmmakers from the U.S., U.K., and Australia will be featured at the Cultural Center's Anoli' Theater.
"Film Forward offers a unique avenue to promote a greater level of understanding among diverse cultures," Gov. Bill Anoatubby said. "This project helps shine a light on indigenous filmmakers and others striving to remain true to their own cultures while relaying stories of universal significance. We are very pleased to be hosting this prestigious and important event."
Dr. Amanda Cobb-Greetham, administrator of the Division of History and Culture, said hosting the event at the Cultural Center was a huge honor.
"The Film Forward project has chosen the Chickasaw Cultural Center to showcase its selection of 2012 films," she said. "As one of only three locations in the United States to host Film Forward, this is an incredible honor for the Chickasaw Nation and the Cultural Center."
All films at the event will be screened at the Cultural Center's Anoli' Theatre.
"Film Forward was created to enhance cross-cultural understanding through film, and we are pleased to highlight two films directed by Indigenous filmmakers," Dr. Cobb-Greetham said. "This event will showcase the films themselves, all of which will be shown on our 40-foot tall Anoli' Theater screen, as well panel discussion and question-and-answer sessions with Rachel Perkins, director of the Indigenous feature film 'Bran Nue Dae,' and Asif Kapadia, director of the documentary, 'Senna.'
"We hope you will join us for this very special event."
Film Forward films collectively illustrate coming-of-age stories, explore identity and reveal the transformation process, both political and personal.
"Somewhere Between" follows the story of four Chinese-American girls struggling with their identities as they grow into young women. "Another Earth" explores the lives of two strangers whose lives become intertwined after the discovery of a duplicate Earth.
"Buck" is the story of Buck Brannaman and his extraordinary work with horses.
Activities begin Sept. 6 at the Chickasaw Cultural Center with the Sundance Institute's Native Filmmakers Summit.
A panel of Native filmmakers including Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Creek) and Jason Asenap (Comanche) will open the event at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 7. The topic of the roundtable discussion is "Perspectives in Indigenous Filmmaking."
Indigenous film "Bran Nue Dae" will be presented at 11 a.m. Director Rachel Perkins will be on hand following the screening to take questions.
"Senna" will be screened at 1:30 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session with director Asif Kapadia.
"On the Ice" will show at 3:30 p.m., followed by "Buck" at 5:30 p.m., and "Beginners" at 7:30 p.m.
A panel of Oklahoma filmmakers discussing perspectives on Oklahoma filmmaking will open Saturday's events at 10 a.m.
"Senna" will be screened at 11 a.m.; "Bran Nue Dae" will be presented at 1:30 p.m. Both will be followed by time with the films' directors.
"Somewhere Between" will be presented at 3:30 p.m., and "Another Earth" at 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 9 will spotlight Chickasaw filmmaking with a presentation of "Pearl."
All Film Forward films will be shown free of charge. Film schedule is subject to change.
For more information about the Cultural Center Film Forward event, contact Brian Cooke at (580) 622-7138 or log on to www.sundance.org.
Film Forward travels to four U.S. and five international locations each year. In addition to the Chickasaw Cultural Center the program will be presented in Arizona, California, China, Columbia, India and Morocco in 2012.
Film Forward is an Initiative of Sundance Institute and The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
About the Sundance Institute
The Institute promotes independent storytelling to unite, inform and inspire, regardless of geo-political, social, religious or cultural differences.
Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival and its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
2012 Featured Film Forward Films
Beginners / USA (Director: Mike Mills) — BEGINNERS imaginatively explores the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver, whose life is rocked by two announcements from his elderly father: that he has terminal cancer, and that he has a young male lover. Cast: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Melanie Laurent.
Bran Nue Dae / Australia (Director: Rachel Perkins) — This musical, set in the Summer of 1969, tells the story of a young man who flees the Catholic mission where he is studying to join the priesthood. He journeys across Australia on a life-changing journey that ultimately leads him back home. Cast: Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Geoffrey Rush.
Buck / USA (Director: Cindy Meehl) — BUCK profiles famous "horse whisperer" Buck Brannaman, tracing his life from an abusive childhood to his career as a world-renowned horse handler and trainer. By teaching people to communicate with horses through instinct, not punishment, he frees the spirit of the horse and its human comrade.
On the Ice / USA (Director: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean) — Two Alaskan teenagers deal with guilt and a web of deceit after accidentally killing a friend in a fight that got out of control. With their future in the balance, the two boys are forced to explore the limits of friendship and honor. Cast: Frank Irelan, Adamina Kerr, John Miller.
Senna / UK (Director: Asif Kapadia) —The story of Ayrton Senna, perhaps the greatest race car driver who ever lived, is an epic tale that literally twists at every turn. Facing titanic struggles, he conquered Formula One and became a global icon who was idolized in his home country.
Somewhere Between / USA (Director: Linda Goldstein Knowlton) – Somewhere Between tells the story of four teenaged girls adjusting to life in the US after their Chinese birth parents are forced to part with them due to China's "One-Child" policy. The film provides an intimate look into the lives of teenage adoptees as they come to terms with their unique identities.
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