EthicsDaily.com’s new video on Baptists and racism will be screened at an international film festival on Sunday, October 19, at 12:00 p.m., at the Avon Williams Campus of Tennessee State University in downtown Nashville.
“Beneath the Skin: Baptists and Racism,” which shows how Baptists have fallen down and stood up on race relations, will be shown at the International Black Film Festival of Nashville. The IBFF began in 2006 and “strives to insure culturally accurate depictions in film with special emphasis on providing a forum for unheard, unseen and unknown viewpoints,” according to its Web site.
“Beneath the Skin” is one of more than 30 films that will be shown at the festival, which runs Oct. 15-19.
Members of local churches are urged to attend the screening, which is rooted in theology and shaped by a practical vision for dealing with racial injustices.
“Beneath the Skin” considers past mistakes and future challenges regarding racial unity and social justice. From the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the current immigration debate, “Beneath the Skin” peels back prejudices and confronts them with biblical mandates. Interviewees come from nearly a dozen states and represent the best in Baptist life, including: preacher and activist Will Campbell, Aidsand Wright-Riggins of American Baptist Churches USA, and Javier Elizondo of Baptist University of the Americas.
“We are honored that our new DVD has been accepted for viewing in such a unique film festival. That in itself speaks to the quality of what we have produced,” said Robert Parham, executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics. “We think our documentary-style DVD is being released in the fullness of time and will become a timeless resource for all Americans concerned about race relations.”
EthicsDaily.com produced two versions of “Beneath the Skin: a longer one running 47 minutes and a trimmed version running 35. The longer version will screen at the festival. The DVD itself includes both versions, as well as four featurettes.
Features, shorts and documentaries will all screen at the festival. Significant documentaries in competition include “Segregating the Greatest Generation,” about the experience of black men in World War II, and “Matthew Kennedy: One Man’s Journey,” about a former director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
In addition to the slate of screenings, the festival also offers a variety of workshops on acting, writing, music in film, and other industry specialties.
IBFF’s partners include Delta Airlines, Nashville’s historic Belcourt Theatre, FilmHouse and Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Sponsors include Tennessee State University, BET and First Tennessee Bank.
“Beneath the Skin: Baptists and Racism” will screen at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19 at the Avon Williams Center. Tickets to the screening are $8 ($5 for seniors and students) and are available for advance purchase. The ticket includes a showing of the documentary “Malcolm’s Echo,” about Malcolm X, which will be screened immediately after “Beneath the Skin.”
A question-and-answer session with Robert Parham and Cliff Vaughn, who produced and directed the film, will immediately follow the screening of “Beneath the Skin” and “Malcolm’s Echo.”
