Jan. 22, 2019
NORTH ADAMS, MASS. — As part of the ongoing Social Change Film Series and in collaboration
with Williams College and Bennington College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
(MCLA) will present a screening of “Rafiki,” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, in Amsler
Campus Center’s Sullivan Lounge.
The Social Change Film Series is free and open to the public. All films will begin
at 7 p.m. and take place on Tuesdays at one of the three college campuses.
“Rafiki” (2018) is a Kenyan film directed by Wanuri Kahiu. It tells the story of the
friendship and love that develops between two women, despite familial and social pressures.
The film will be facilitated by Dr. Jenna Sciuto, assistant professor of English at
MCLA, who will lead a talk back at its conclusion.
According to Michael Obasohan ’11, assistant director of diversity programs and the
Multicultural Education Center at MCLA, the series aims to encourage the audience
to think about social change and to heighten their awareness of the social issues
that happen around them in their communities.
Professors from each campus select the films and lead the discussions that follow
each screening. Members of the campus’s surrounding communities are invited to join
this dialogue.
Subsequent screenings will include “Jewel’s Catch One” at Williams College on Feb.
19 in the Paresky Auditorium, with a talk back lead by Dr. Kai Green, assistant professor
of women’s, gender and sexuality studies; “Real Women Have Curves” at Bennington
College on March 12 at the CAPA Symposium, with a talk back led by Dr. Natalie Scenters-Zapico,
professor of literature; and “The Mask You Live In” at Williams College on April 16
in the Paresky Auditorium, with a talk back led by Kendra Werst, graduate program
art history lecturer.
Free transportation will be provided. For Bennington, contact Anya at Apiotrowski@bennington.edu.
For MCLA, contact Obasohan at M.Obasohan@mcla.edu, and for Williams, contact Shawna
at sps3@williams.edu.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is the Commonwealth's public liberal
arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts state university system. MCLA promotes
excellence in learning and teaching, innovative scholarship, intellectual creativity,
public service, applied knowledge, and active and responsible citizenship. MCLA graduates
are prepared to be practical problem solvers and engaged, resilient global citizens.
For more information, go to www.mcla.edu.
