UK Kicks Off Anti-Apartheid Film Series

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2010) -The global struggle against South African apartheid has been called the most important international social justice movement of the 20th century.

"Have You Heard from Johannesburg" tells the story behind the crusade for freedom. The seven-part documentary series, produced and directed by Academy-Award nominated filmmaker Connie Field, chronicles the history of the global anti-apartheid movement that took on South Africa’s well-established apartheid regime and its supporters.

The first installment of "Have You Heard from Johannesburg," titled "Road to Resistance," will be shown at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, in 213 Kastle Hall.

"This documentary, shown previously in Boston and New York, has met with critical acclaim," said Program Director Lauren Kientz, "and each evening will be followed by a special speaker and time for discussion. This is a great opportunity for UK as well as the Lexington community."

Mark Kornbluh, dean of University of Kentucky's College of Arts and Sciences, will speak after both showings of the first film on Sept. 30, about the connections between the South African anti-apartheid movement and the United States’ civil rights movement.

Field’s production sheds light on the global citizens’ movement that took on South Africa’s apartheid regime. The series spans the world over half a century, beginning with the very first session of the United Nations and ending in 1990 – when, after 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela, the best known leader of the African National Congress, toured the world as a free man.

"This film will give us the opportunity to learn about race relations in South Africa and the U.S.," said Kientz, "as well as the way activists protest within a democratic government, the ethical responsibilities of businessmen and workers and the relationship between the international government and an individual country."

A&S will show each film in sequence on Thursdays from Sept. 30- Nov. 11. Parents, students, alumni, children and other community members are welcome to attend one showing or all of them. Each film can be viewed individually. Parking is available at Parking Structure #2 for the 7 p.m. showings.

Paralleling the film, Kientz is teaching a two-credit experiential learning course, A&S 100-049, from Sept. 23-Dec 7.

The College of Arts and Sciences is embarking on a year-long exploration of South African culture and history with its South Africa Initiative, themed "Different Lands, Common Ground." This program hopes to engage the Lexington community in crucial global conversations spark an ongoing exchange of ideas and promote awareness of race, human rights and political change.