Emerson to host events with Raoul Peck
Haitian-born director, producer, writer, and activist Raoul Peck will speak at a public screening of his 2009 film, Moloch Tropical, and present at a book signing for Stolen Images: Lumumba and the Early Films of Raoul Peck at Emerson March 15 and 16, 2012. With support from the Cultural Service of the French Consulate in Boston and Gallery Basquiat, the series of talks and screenings at Emerson, titled Visionary Filmmaker: Raoul Peck, marks the acclaimed director’s return to Boston for the first time in more than 15 years.
Peck’s feature films, documentaries, and miniseries have shown at multiple festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto. His films are known to reflect his international vision and historical and political insights, as illustrated in his 2005 HBO movie Sometimes in April starring Idris Elba, which raised awareness about the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. His 2000 film Lumumba was an enlightening depiction of the Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. In 1995, Peck founded the Foundation Forum Eldorado, which focuses on cultural development in Haiti. Between 1996 and 1997, he served as Minister of Culture of the Republic of Haiti. In 2001, he received the Irene Diamond Award for Human Rights from Human Rights Watch for his body of work. He currently serves as the chairman of the École Nationale Supérieure des Métiers de l’Image et du Son (La Fémis), the prestigious French national film school.
“I’m looking forward to the Boston presentation of Moloch Tropical at Emerson College, as well as the first stop to introduce the new book, Stolen Moments,” said Peck, who resides in Paris. “And it’s a pleasure to have the opportunity to exchange with the Boston community.”
Recognized as having one of the nation’s top film programs, which extends beyond Boston to Los Angeles and Prague, Emerson College is well-poised to host the internationally renowned filmmaker. “Emerson’s filmmaking ‘lens’ is global, so it’s exciting to host Raoul Peck, whose films are recognized worldwide,” said Emerson College President Lee Pelton. “His visit to campus is a wonderful chance for our students to engage with an international filmmaker and to further understand the power that films have to transcend cultural boundaries. I’m happy to extend this opportunity to public audiences as well.”
At Emerson, Peck will introduce his film, Moloch Tropical, for its Boston premiere, and participate in a Q&A after the screening. The prolific filmmaker will also speak about his current projects and sign copies of his new book, Stolen Images: Lumumba and the Early Films of Raoul Peck (Seven Stories Press). The book officially releases on April 10 but will be available at the book-signing event at Emerson on March 16. (See below for the complete schedule of events.)
“Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck ‘s work, including his documentary and feature films, deals with some of the most troubling questions of the contemporary world,” said Artistic Attaché at the French Consulate in Boston, Eric Jausseran. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Emerson College in welcoming this award-winning director in Boston.”
“Raoul Peck’s return to Boston will be another opportunity for members of the Haitian community to show support and appreciation of the significant contribution that he continues to make in filmmaking,” said Managing Partner of Gallery Basquiat, Dumas F. Lafondant.
Schedule of events:
Thursday, March 15, 7:30 pm—The Department of Visual and Media Arts Presents: The Boston Premiere of Moloch Tropical, 107 minutes (in French and Creole with English subtitles). Introduction and Q&A with director Raoul Peck. In a fortress perched on the top of a mountain, a democratically elected president and his closest collaborators are getting ready for a state celebration. On the morning of the event, he wakes up to find the country inflamed, the streets in turmoil.
Screening takes place in the Bright Family Screening Room, Paramount Center (Admission is free, and seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
Friday, March 16, 2:00–4:00 pm—The Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing Presents: A book signing and conversation with filmmaker and author Raoul Peck for the release of his new book Stolen Images: Lumumba and the Early Films of Raoul Peck (Seven Stories Press). The book includes screenplays and piercing images from four of Raoul Peck’s major features and documentary films.
Book signing and talk takes place in the Bright Family Screening Room, Paramount Center. Admission is free, and seating is first come, first served. Books will be available for purchase at the event. (The book’s official publication date is April 10). Doors open at 1:30 pm.
Friday, March 16, 6:00 pm—ArtsEmerson Presents: A screening of Lumumba, 35mm color, 115 minutes (in French and Lingala with English subtitles). Based on a true story that depicts the powerful story of the martyred African leader Patrice Lumumba.
Screening takes place in the Bright Family Screening Room, Paramount Center. Admission is $10; $7.50 for ArtsEmerson members and seniors (65+); $5 for students; and free to Emerson students. Doors open at 5:30 pm.
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