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September 13, 2006
VA: Tour of "Up The Ridge" about VA Prison System
Announcing the Virginia Tour of “Up the Ridge,” a new documentary film about the Virginia prison system and human rights.
Touring October 2nd through the 8th.
Up the Ridge is a documentary film produced by Nick Szuberla and Amelia Kirby. In 1999, Szuberla and Kirby were volunteer DJ’s for the Appalachian region’s only hip-hop radio program in Whitesburg, KY when they received hundreds of letters from inmates transferred into nearby Wallens Ridge State Prison, the newest prison built to prop up the region’s sagging coal economy. The letters described human rights violations and racial tension between staff and inmates. Filming began that year and, through the lens of Wallens Ridge, the film offers viewers an in-depth look at the United States prison industry and the social impact of moving hundreds of thousands of inner-city minority offenders to distant rural outposts. Up the Ridge explores competing political agendas that align government policy with human rights violations, and political expediencies that bring communities into racial and cultural conflict with tragic consequences.
View the Up the Ridge preview/trailer at: http://www.appalshop.org/h2h/film/screenings.htm
Where:
Oct. 2nd Newport News, VA (7pm) Christopher Newport University, Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 University Place
Oct. 3rd Roanoke, VA (7pm) Blue Ridge Public Television, 1215 McNeil Drive
Oct. 4th Charlottesville, VA (7pm) Sojourners United Church of Christ, 1017 Elliot Ave
Oct. 5th Alexandria, VA (to be announced)
Oct. 6th Richmond,VA (7pm) Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1720 Mechananicsville Turnpike
Oct. 7th Norfolk, VA (to be announced)
Oct. 8th Harrisonburg, VA (2pm) Eastern Mennonite University, 1200 Park Road
The filmmakers will be present for discussion after the film, along with a panel from the community.
All screenings are free and open to the public.
How you can help:
-Support turnout in your community by downloading and posting a flyer from our website.
-If the tour is not coming to your community arrange your own screening! Sign up for a house party version at our website.
-Pass this e-mail on to your friends or suggest someone to invite.
Learn how at: http://www.appalshop.org/h2h/film/screenings.htm
Contact us:
Nick Szuberla
Tel: 606.633.0108
e-mail: nick@appalshop.org
website: http://www.appalshop.org/h2h/film/screenings.htm
Co-Sponsored by: Appalshop, Holler to the Hood, Virginia CURE, Resource Information for the Disadvantaged, Blue Ridge Public Television, WMMT-FM, Virginia Organizing Project, Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice, FedUp, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Sojourners United Church of Christ, and Christopher Newport University.
Up the Ridge is a project of Appalshop, a media arts center located in the central Appalachian coalfields.
Posted by lois at September 13, 2006 11:16 AM