Free Movie Screening with Boston Cares featuring the documentary Pushing the Elephant!

Submitted by BostonCares on Mon, 02/21/2011 - 12:06pm
From date: 
Tue, 03/15/2011 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Come explore what it means to become an active advocate for a peaceful and hopeful future.

In the late 1990s, Rose Mapendo was imprisoned with her family during violence that engulfed the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her harrowing experience included the nighttime arrest of her entire family by government agents, the execution of her husband, the birth of their twin sons in prison, and grim negotiations with prison guards to save the lives of her children.  She emerged from the harrowing experience advocating forgiveness and reconciliation.

In a country where ethnic violence has created seemingly irreparable rifts among Tutsis, Hutus, and other Congolese, this remarkable woman is a vital voice in her beleaguered nation’s search for peace. Now, Rose is confronted with teaching one of her most recalcitrant students how to forgive — Nangabire, the daughter who remained behind. When war came to Rose’s village, she was separated from Nangabire, who was 4 years old at the time. Rose managed to escape with nine of her 10 children and eventually resettles in Phoenix, Arizona.

More than a decade later, Rose and Nangabire are reunited in Phoenix where they must face the past and build a new future.

After the screening, participants will have an opportunity to hear about the refugee community in Boston from a panel of guest speakers.

Click here to view the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm35xGMpxHs

This screening is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Lavine Civic Forum located inside the City Year headquarter building (Back Bay/Boston) on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 6:30-8:30PM. You do not have to be a member of Boston Cares to attend.
 
This event is part of PBS' Emmy winning series Independent Lens, a free monthly film series hosted in partnership with Boston Cares, ITVS Community Cinema, and City Year. 
 
Boston Cares organizes and leads team-oriented volunteer opportunities and services that have a positive impact on individuals and communities. Boston Cares is currently the largest volunteer center in New England and is a founding member of the Hands On Network, with affiliates in 250 US and international locations.
 
Please contact Rachel Fontana for more information at rfontana@bostoncares.org or (617)422-0910x207.