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Lorenzo Society presents new UNB Saint John Film Series

Author: UNB Newsroom

Posted on Sep 22, 2021

Category: UNB Saint John

UNB Saint John’s Lorenzo Society has launched its inaugural UNB Saint John Film Series, with this year’s festival highlighting Indigenous film. The series is offering free screenings of Reel Injun, Blood Quantum and Dawnland to community members.

The festival takes place throughout the fall and starts on Sept. 23 with Reel Injun. October and November are reserved for Blood Quantum and Dawnland respectively. There are two screenings of each film, with both events taking place at the end of the month.

In Reel Injun (2009), Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond takes an entertaining and insightful look at the "Hollywood Indian," exploring the portrayal of North American Indigenous peoples through a century of cinema. Traveling through the heartland of America, and into the Canadian North, Diamond looks at how the myth of “the Injun” has influenced the world’s understanding – and misunderstanding – of Indigenous peoples. Screenings of Reel Injun take place on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ganong Hall Lecture Theatre (registration and proof of vaccination required) and Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Lily Lake Pavilion, Rockwood Park. Admittance is free for both screenings and a freewill offering will be accepted, with proceeds going to Eastern Circle educational programs.

In Blood Quantum (2019), the dead are coming back to life and almost all of Earth’s population is decimated due to a zombie virus, except for the isolated Mi’kmaq reserve of Red Crow, whose Indigenous inhabitants who are strangely immune to the zombie plague. Screenings of Blood Quantum take place on Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ganong Hall Lecture Theatre and Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Imperial Theatre. Please note that this movie is rated 18A as several of the scenes are quite disturbing. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. Costumes and zombie make-up is strongly encouraged, though optional.

Dawnland (2018) highlights how, for decades, child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their homes to “save them from being Indian.” In Maine, the first official Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the United States begins a historic investigation. Dawnland goes behind the scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations. Screenings of Dawnland take place on Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ganong Hall Lecture Theatre and Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Sq.

All screenings are free and open to the public. For more information about the events, email lorenzo@unb.ca.