This week, the Library celebrates Money Smart Week with financial education programs for children and adults. Visit the Library's website, www.mtpl.info for more details.
Next week, a showing of the award-winning film, Fruitvale Station, will be offered on Monday, April 14th at 6:00 P.M. Then, apart from that, our Film Forward Screenings begin on Saturday, April 19th. Hope you can join us.
The Manheim Township Public Library is proud to announce they are a participating library with Film Forward: Advancing Cultural Dialogue, a partnership of Sundance Institute and four U.S. federal cultural agencies that has been awarded to the State Library of Pennsylvania. Only eight locations in the world were selected to host this prestigious program, and Pennsylvania was among them. Film Forward is an international program designed to enhance greater cultural understanding, collaboration and dialogue around the globe by engaging audiences through the exhibition of films, workshops and conversations. An initiative of the Sundance Institute and the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services Film Forward promotes cultural dialogue through independent documentary and narrative film, using film’s unique ability to tell stories that explore universal themes to ignite meaningful conversations.
Free screenings and moderated discussions of the thought-provoking films are scheduled at the Library as follows:
Saturday, April 19 at 10:00 A.M.
The World Before Her – International Documentary
Moving between two extremes—the intimate verité drama of the Miss India pageant’s rigorous beauty “bootcamp” and the intense regime of a militant Hindu fundamentalist camp for young girls—The World Before Her delivers a provocative portrait of India and its current cultural conflicts during a key transitional era in the country's modern history.
Saturday, April 19 at 1:00 P.M.
Dancing in Jaffa – International Documentary
Renowned ballroom dancer, Pierre Dulaine, takes his belief that dance can overcome political and cultural differences and applies it to 11 year old Jewish and Palestinian Israelis. What occurs is magical and transformative.
Tuesday, April 22 at 6:00 P.M.
Circles – International Narrative
Five people are affected by a tragic heroic act. Twenty years later, all of them will have to confront the past through their own crises. Will they overcome the guilt, frustration, and the urge for revenge? Will they do the right thing, at all costs?
Wednesday, April 23 at 6:00 P.M.
If You Build It – US Documentary
If You Build It spends a year in the life of one of America’s most innovative classrooms. Designer/activists Emily Pilloton and Matt Miller, together with their high school students, unleash the power of humanitarian design to help their struggling community in rural North Carolina.
Tuesday, April 29 at 6:00 P.M.
Valentine Road – US Documentary
On February 12, 2008, eighth-grade student Brandon McInerney shot his classmate Larry King twice in the back of the head. With keen insight, the film connects the human wreckage of Larry’s and Brandon’s troubled lives—both bullied and both searching for a sense of belonging.
Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30 P.M.
Twenty Feet From Stardom – US Documentary
Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. Twenty Feet From Stardom shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century.
On April 30th, at 5:00 P.M., just prior to the final film screening at 6:30 P.M., the Library will host a Film Forward Reception for all those who attended any of the films.
Moderators, from Elizabethtown College, who will facilitate the discussions following each film include: Dr. Mahua Bhattacharya, Associate Professor of Japanese; Dr. Jeffery Long, Professor of Asian and Religious Studies; and Jonathan Rudy, Peacemaker-in-Residence, Center for Global Understanding and Peacemaking. Other moderators include: Tatjana Neidhardt, Architect from Bosnia; Meghan Carlton, Professor of English at Penn State, York; and Katrina Anderson, Director of Manheim Township Public Library.
“Libraries strengthen communities by bringing people together to a safe place where they can connect, exchange ideas, and explore new worlds. They are a perfect venue for the thought provoking films presented through Film Forward,” said Susan H. Hildreth, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “We applaud the State Library of Pennsylvania for connecting 22 public libraries through Film Forward and encouraging a statewide dialogue on cultural understanding.”
Katrina Anderson, Director of Manheim Township Public Library, comments that “28 languages are represented in our school district alone, so we look forward to welcoming those from various cultures in our community by hosting these award-winning films and the accompanying exchange of ideas and sharing of viewpoints. Each film is a feast of food for thought. “
For more information and registration details, call the Library at 560-6441 or refer to our website, www.mtpl.info. All programs are free and open to the public.