Still from Of Gods and Men by Xavier Beauvois
Each spring, the annual Kenan Ethics Film Series at Duke University features films that provide popular and accessible vehicles for discussing ethics around a particular theme. This year’s theme is “condemned to be free,” with films that explore how individuals—even under the most oppressive circumstances—claim their existential freedom by taking responsibility for their decisions and actions.
The screenings are free and open to the public. All screenings take place in the Griffith Film Theater, Bryan Center, Duke West Campus. Free parking is be available in the Bryan Center parking deck (validated parking passes are provided at the screenings, along with refreshments and snacks). Click here for a searchable map.
Presented by Duke’s Screen/Society, sponsored by the Kenan Institute for Ethics, co-sponsored by the Center for Documentary Studies, and the Program in the Arts of the Moving Image
The film Defiance was screened on January 17; remaining films in the series include:
Monday, February 20, 7 p.m. – LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
(Jim Hanon, 2010, 75 min, Palestine & Israel, English & Arabic w/ English subtitles)
This documentary film tells the story of three men of three different faiths living in Israel and Palestine. Writer and director Jim Hanon explores each man’s choice of nonviolent action in the face of constant violence, and in so doing, finds the humanity common to all three.
A panel discussion with Duke faculty members Miriam Cooke (Asian & Middle Eastern Studies), Laura Lieber (Religion), David Schanzer (Public Policy), and Rebecca Stein (Cultural Anthropology) will follow the screening.
CLICK here TO WATCH THE TRAILER.
Tuesday, April 3, 7 p.m. – OF GODS AND MEN
(Xavier Beauvois, 2010, 122 min, France, in French with English subtitles)
Based on true events, this Jury Grand Prize for Best Film winner at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival tells the story of eight French Trappist monks living in an impoverished village in Algeria. When faced with threats from fundamentalist terrorists and the military, the monks must decide between seeking safety or staying with the local villagers who have come to trust them.
CLICK here TO WATCH THE TRAILER.
Monday, April 23, 7 p.m. – HUMAN TERRAIN
(James Der Derian & David Udris, 2010, 82 min, USA, English)
This acclaimed documentary explores the controversy over a new U.S. military strategy—Human Terrain Systems—to use “culturally aware” soldiers and embedded social scientists in Iraq and Afghanistan to win hearts and minds. Human Terrain takes the viewer into the heart of the war machine and the shadowy collaboration between American academics and the armed services.
CLICK here TO WATCH THE TRAILER.
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