The film department is hosting screenings of movies by Black Americans.
Bryan Cardinale-Powell, chair of the film department and associate professor of film, said the weekly screenings are traditionally structured by students, but the recent demonstrations of social justice inspired change.
“Traditionally, we have had a screening night that’s been organized by the department, and we just thought this was an appropriate time to have a specific theme,” Cardinale-Powell said. “In the past, we haven’t really necessarily had a theme.”
Cardinale-Powell said Hollywood has made improvements over recent years toward racial equity, but there is still a long way to go.
“Mainstream filmmaking can do a lot of good and a lot of bad. If you have a progressively leaning mainstream industry, I think you’ll see attitudes will change over time,” Cardinale-Powell said. “If you don’t, then I think you’ll end up seeing an industry that just reinforces the status quo.”
Billy Palumbo, visiting professor of film, said he and Cardinale-Powell selected films their students may have not heard of or considered.
“A lot of the recommendations I was seeing over the summer being passed around were so much about trauma: Black trauma in America. Not to say it’s not an important piece, but it’s not the only thing that Black artists want to talk about,” Palumbo said. “So, I think it’s important to hear whatever it is that filmmakers want to say.”
Cameron Hawkins, film junior, said the recent screenings offer an opportunity to better understand different perspectives through art.
“With the current climate that we’re in, with Black Lives Matter, they felt it would be really beneficial for us to watch films that are made from Black directors, so we can all experience that perspective through film,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said racial equity within film has always been a struggle, but he said he believes it is getting better over time.
Cardinale-Powell said he hopes film students appreciate and enjoy the films for their perspectives and craftsmanship. He also said he hopes this series sticks with students when they work on their own projects.
“I hope it gets them to think about the value of their own work and the value of encouraging work from people around them that may not have the same kind of perspective,” Cardinale-Powell said.
Palumbo said space is limited for screenings, but if there is enough interest, accommodations can be made.
“A total of 12 people can fit in the room, but if there’s enough interest, we can add another room or add another date,” Palumbo said. “People shouldn’t feel like they can’t come. If they want to come, we can figure something out.”
Palumbo said students can follow the film department’s Instagram @okcufilm for updates on upcoming films. The screenings are on Wednesdays at 7 p.m in the screening room in Dawson Loeffler Science and Mathematics Center. The last screening was “Da 5 Bloods” directed by Spike Lee, shown Sept. 2.
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