For Immediate Release: November 1, 2005
Media Contact: Micki Leventhal 312-344-7383
A Seat at the Drum Documents the Challenges of Preserving Tribal Identity
Native American Filmmakers Examine the Lives of 21st Century Urban Native Americans
WHAT: Preview of A Seat at the Drum segment of the Native American Public Telecommunications and Adanvdo Vision series Indian Country Diaries -- Screening and discussion
In Indian Country Diaries: A Seat at the Drum, which will air nationally in Spring or Fall of 2006, journalist and playwright Mark Anthony Rolo (Bad River Objiwe tribe) seeks to learn how Native American communities in 21st century urban neighborhoods honor their cultures, survive economically and cope with the pressures of assimilation in a challenging metropolis.
A panel discussion, moderated by Jeff Spitz, Coordinator of Documentary at Columbia College Chicago, and featuring Frank Blythe, Executive In Charge of Production and Executive Director of Native American Public Telecommunications; Ernest Whiteman, Coordinator of the First Nation's Film & Video Festival and Native staff members from Chicago's American Indian Center, will follow the screening. Spitz calls Indian Country Diaries "a groundbreaking new public television series by Native Americans and about Native Americans." A Seat at the Drum itself is "unique in its portrayal of Native Americans in urban settings rather than the traditional view of reservation life."
This screening of A Seat at the Drum is a Doc Week event sponsored by Columbia College Chicago, American Indian Center, First Nations Film & Video Festival and Native American Public Telecommunications. Funding for Indian Country Diaries is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Public Broadcasting Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Independent Television Service and Native American Public Telecommunications.
WHEN: Thursday, November 17, 6-9 p.m., screening begins at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Columbia College Film Row Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., 8th Floor
HOW MUCH: Free and open to the public; space is limited; please RSVP to ensure a seat.
RSVP: 312-344-6725
MORE INFO: Call Jeff Spitz at 312-344-6725 or e-mail at jspitz@colum.edu
-end-