Community Cinema: The Powerbroker
Wed, February 13 7pm
Whitney M. Young, Jr. was one of the most celebrated - and controversial - leaders of the civil rights era. As head of the National Urban League, he helped thousands of people struggling against discrimination. Unique among black leaders, he took the fight directly to the powerful white elite, gaining allies in business and government, including three presidents. He was the man working behind the scenes, shaking the right hands, making the right deals, and opening the doors of opportunity for all Americans.
The Powerbroker follows Whitney Young's journey from segregated Kentucky to the national campaign for equal rights. During the turbulent 60s, he was a dilpomat between those in power and those striving for change. Young had the difficult tasks of calming the fears of white allies, relieving the doubts of fellow civil rights leaders, and responding to attacks from the militant black power movement. This complex tale explores the public and private trials of the man at the center of the storm.
Rialto Cinemas Elmwood will present Community Cinema on the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm.
CATALYST FOR CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Every month between October and June, Community Cinema presents an upcoming Independent Lens program. We work with leading organizations, local communities and public television stations to provide community engagement around the important social issues raised in the films. Each screening event features panel discussions with leading community-based organizations, special guest speakers, information, resources and other programming designed to help people learn more and get involved.
NATIONAL FORUM FOR PRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES
ITVS convenes thousands of community members nationwide for dialogue, education and awareness around hard-to-tackle issues such as the death penalty, homophobia, racism, globalization, and freedom of religion. Participants walk away educated and empowered with resources and action steps. Last season, Community Cinema produced 900 events, worked with more than 1200 partner organizations and welcomed more than 50,000 participants to events around the country.
SHOWCASE FOR ENTERTAINING AND IMPACTFUL DOCUMENTARIES
Community Cinema provides a chance to explore the world of the acclaimed PBS series Independent Lens outside your living room. Independent Lens takes you on a journey to unexpected places to meet ordinary people living extraordinary lives; stories not told anywhere else on television. The award-winning series features documentaries that bring to light unforgettable stories about a unique individual, underrepresented community or moment in history.
Rialto Cinemas™ Elmwood • 2966 College Avenue at Ashby, Berkeley, CA 94705