Complexity of diverse world subject of films at Elizabethtown College

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (01/30/2014)(readMedia)-- Elizabethtown College's Diversity Film Series features closed-captioned movies that address the sometimes sensitive subjects of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic stratification, culture and politics.

Shown at 7 p.m. in the College's Gibble Auditorium, the films, sponsored by Academic Advising, are free. Each is followed by a discussion led by College faculty members.

Monday, February 17 -- "Do the Right Thing"

"Do The Right Thing" is a 1989 American drama film produced, written and directed by Spike Lee, who also is a featured actor in the movie. The film was inspired by an actual incident in Howard Beach, N.Y., when a group of white kids chase down and kill a young black man on the hottest day of the summer.

A discussion of the film is led by Dr. Fletcher McClellan, Dean of the Faculty and professor of political science at Elizabethtown.

Monday, March 24 -- "Mississippi Masala"

"Mississippi Masala" is a 1991 romantic drama primarily set in rural Mississippi; the film explores an interracial romance between African-Americans and Indian-Americans in the United States.

Dr. Rita C Shah, assistant professor of sociology, and Dr. Jeffery Long, professor of religion and Asian Studies, discuss the film.

Monday, April 7 -- "Hairspray"

The 1988 comedy film "Hairspray," written and directed by John Waters, was inspired by "The Nicest Kids in Town," a short essay Waters wrote for his 1981 book, "Shock Value." In the story he professed his love and obsession with dance crazes, behind-the-scenes drama and gossip he saw on Baltimore's "The Buddy Deane Show."

A discussion, led by Dr. Sarah Daughtrey, assistant professor of music, follows the film.

Contact: Jean-Paul Benowitz at benowitzj@etown.edu or 717-361-1110.

Read about additional events at Elizabethtown College.

Elizabethtown College, located in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a private coed institution offering more than four dozen liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education degrees. Learn more: http://www.etown.edu/about/

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Harvey

Manager, Marketing and Communications

Marketing and Communications

Elizabethtown College

harveye@etown.edu

717-361-6412 (o)

717-371-2631 (c)

Map and Directions