Three documentary films, with topics ranging from communities in the Austrian Alps to nomadic people in Ethiopia, will be shown in the Karl Anatol Center on Friday from 2-8 p.m. during the Margaret Mead Film and Video Festival.
The festival is the longest-running premiere showcase for international documentaries in the United States. It debuts at the American Museum of Natural History and travels to universities and museums across the country.
There are six films in the festival, and each venue may choose which films to show.
“The Mead Festival is a great opportunity for students to be introduced to different stories from around the world,” said Steven Rousso-Schindler, assistant professor of anthropology and organizer of the event.
The Anthropology Graduate Student Association is co-sponsoring the event at CSULB. Three of the six films will be shown due to budget constraints. This is the third consecutive year the festival has been shown at CSULB.
“The films were chosen to promote issues that are going on in the world and to educate people about issues that are not prominent in the media,” said Julia Wignall, president of the Anthropology Graduate Student Association.
The first film to be shown is 2008’s “A Mountain Musical,” directed by Eva Eckert. Focusing on an Alpine culture in the heart of Bavaria, this musical documents the lives of the people living in the rural and industrial communities around the Erzberg mountain in the Austrian Alps.
“Shooting with Mursi,” a 2009 film directed by Olisarali Olibui and Ben Young, documents the nomadic Mursi tribe in Ethiopia’s Oma Valley. The tribe is facing extinction due to an increase in tourism, game hunting and newly zoned national parks.
The third film, “There Once was an Island,” is a 2010 film directed by Briar March. This film focuses on the Takuu, who live on the island of Papau New Guinea. The waters of the South Pacific are eroding their shores, making it nearly impossible for them to continue living as they are accustomed.
“Anthropology and ethnography are used as a means to tell stories,” Wignall said. “The festival will provide a space for students and professors to have a discussion about world issues and anthropology in an informal context.”
According to Wignall, the festival has been promoted better than previous years.
Both undergraduate and graduate anthropology students have been contacted about the event, as well as other schools in the area, such as USC.
The festival is free and snacks will be sold. All proceeds will benefit the Anthropology Graduate Student Association.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
