Amherst Cinema Presents Free Juneteeth Screening And Community Discussion

Source: Amherst Cinema

Amherst Cinema will celebrate Juneteenth this Sunday, June 18, with a free film screening of Denzel Washington’s film adaptation of August Wilson’s play FENCES. Directed by and starring Washington, FENCES co-stars Viola Davis (in an Oscar-winning performance) and Stephen McKinley Henderson. The Oscar-nominated screenplay was adapted by Wilson, based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name.

“In bringing Wilson to the screen for the first time, the star does the playwright proud.” said Peter Travers, in Rolling Stone

The film starts at 4 p.m. Following the screening, at 6:30 p.m., the cinema will host a panel discussion titled “The Journey, Joy & Love of Black Fatherhood.” Panelists and local fathers Stefan Bradley, Sid Ferreira, Nigel Greaves and Paul Wiley will offer their perspectives on the film and make connections to their own journeys in fatherhood in the time of #BlackGirlMagic, #BlackBoyJoy and #BlackLivesMatter.

Amherst Books will be on site from 3:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. selling works by August Wilson and more.

Tickets are available for free and also in advance at the Box Office only (not online) on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is supported by the Mass Cultural Council and the Amherst Cultural Council.

FENCES Directed by Denzel Washington | PG-13 | 139 minutes | 2016

SYNOPSIS: A working-class African-American father raises his family in 1950s Pittsburgh, while coming to terms with the events of his life. Denzel Washington directs and stars in this adaptation of August Wilson’s play, which also features Viola Davis (in an Oscar-winning performance) and Stephen McKinley Henderson.

“Amherst Cinema was delighted to coordinate our program with others across our community, amounting to a joyful three-day celebration,” said Amherst Cinema Executive Director, Yasmin Chin Eisenhauer.

Additional events include:

• Saturday, June 17 at 10:00 a.m. Ancestral Bridges presents “Celebrating the Legacy That Makes Amherst an Important Place in the History of Juneteenth”
• Monday, June 19 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Free Juneteenth Brunch & Books with Dr. Shirley Jackson Whitaker at the Mill District Local Art Gallery
• Monday, June 19 from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m The Town of Amherst celebrates the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Jubilee on the Town Common: Our Voices. Our History. Our Vision. Our Stories.

About Amherst Cinema
Amherst Cinema is an independent, nonprofit arts and education center brimming with world-class programs. The comfortable, fully accessible theater offers state-of-the-art projection and sound and is a welcoming crossroads for all. Amherst Cinema presents over 250 programs a year on four screens in more than 35 languages. For more information, visit: www.AmherstCinema.org