MSP Film Society, in partnership with the Capri Theater and the Minnesota Historical Society, presents the Oscar-Nominated biographical historical drama Harriet on Thursday, February 6at 7 p.m. at North Community High School, 1500 James Ave., door 18. North High serves as the alternate location for this film series while the Capri Theater is closed for expansion and renovation. Tickets to First Thursday Filmsare $5; purchase in advance at mspfilm.org or at the door the night of the show.
Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post calls Harriet “a rich, enlightening portrait – as sturdy and straightforward as the title character herself.” Lead actress Cynthia Erzo was recently nominated for an Oscar by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman.
Each First Thursday Films screening is followed by a passionate discussion of the movie, this month led by John Wright,
a Morse-Amoco Distinguished Teaching Full Professor of African American & African Studies and English at the University of Minnesota. A fourth generation Minnesotan, whose family originally migrated to the state following the Civil War and Reconstruction era, Wright received several degrees from the University of Minnesota and participated in the student movement that helped found both the University’s Martin Luther King Program (which he subsequently administered for three years) and its Department of Afro-American & African Studies. While chairing the Afro-American & African Studies department at Carleton from 1974-82, he spent research leaves at Harvard and Atlanta Universities and returned to the University of Minnesota to chair the renamed Department of African American & African Studies from 1984-89 and 1995-96. He has twice been appointed a Research Associate at Harvard University’s W. E. B. Du Bois Institute (1982 & 1991); and he joined its Working Group on Black Intellectual History from 1991-93. In 1991 he served as a Scholar in Residence at the Schomburg Research Center in Harlem.
The First Thursdays seriescontinues with Cine Latino audience award runner-up We Are The Radical Monarchs with conversation leader Robin Hickman on March 5. The acclaimed documentary Charm City will screen on April 2.
Topical and relevant in these turbulent times, First Thursday Films aims to create a space for dialogue and better understanding. Come for the movies. Stay for the conversation. More info: thecapritheater.org and mspfilm.org.
Capri programs are generously supported by Target.