WSLR in Sarasota Launches Indie Doc Season with ‘Refuge’ Sept. 20
WSLR is proud to be a Screening Partner for the 2022-23 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers! Over the season, we will host six independent filmmakers for free Tuesday night screenings and conversations around important stories and the art of filmmaking. The first screening, “REFUGE,” takes place Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court.
“REFUGE” tells a story about fear and love in the American South. A leader in a white nationalist hate group finds healing from the people he once hated – a Muslim heart doctor and his town of refugees. Chris is a husband and father, a veteran, and until recently, a leader in the KKK. He started hating Muslims when the planes hit the Twin Towers on 9/11, but is forced to confront his hate when he receives a text from Muslim refugee, Heval.
“REFUGE” illustrates the false promises of hate and reveals where real and lasting refuge is found. Where there is love, there is refuge.
The Sept. 20 screening includes a talk with Din Blankenship, the film’s director and producer.
Save the dates for the rest of the 2022-23 season:
“Stay Prayed Up” – Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. – This fast-paced, foot-thumping documentary follows Lena Mae Perry and The Branchettes as they prepare to record their first, fully live album, a hallmark in the canon of Black gospel groups.
“Outta The Muck” – Tuesday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m. – Family, football and history come to life in an intimate portrait of the Dean family, longtime residents of the historic town of Pahokee, Florida.
“Home From School: The Children of Carlisle” – Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. – Among the many who died at Carlisle Indian Industrial School were three Arapaho boys. Now, more than a century later, tribal members journey from Wyoming to Pennsylvania to help them finally come home.
“Mama Bears” – Tuesday, March 21, 7 p.m. – This documentary follows Sara Cunningham and Kimberly Shappley, two “mama bears” – whose profound love for their LGBTQ children has turned into fierce advocates for the entire queer community – and Tammi Terrell Morris, a young African American lesbian whose struggle for self-acceptance perfectly exemplifies why the mama bears are so vitally important.
“Hazing” – Tuesday, April 18, 7 p.m. – Byron Hurt embarks on a deeply personal journey to understand the underground rituals of hazing, revealing the abusive lengths college students will go to fit in.
Visit HERE for the full schedule of screenings and talks.
To learn more about the Southern Circuit and browse other stops on the tour, visit South Arts – Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.
Southern Circuit screenings are funded in part by a grant from South Arts, a regional arts organization, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Photo from WSLR