FILM & DISCUSSION SERIES: “Finding Community in Post-Pandemic America”

The Arts Club of Washington Cinematography Committee

&

Emmy Awarded Producer, Todd Clark

Present

FILM & DISCUSSION SERIES:

"Finding Community in Post-Pandemic America"

Tuesday,  June 22, 2021,   at 6:00 pm

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

ACW Members & Guests Free  -  Non-Members $10

This week our speaker will be:

Featured movie:

SERIES: Curated and hosted by local EMMY Awarded Producer, Todd Clark, this timely series will provide its audiences with a weekly brief panel presentation and full film screening that will explore this idea of Community- and the importance people attach to being a part of a Community that is meaningful, comfortable and stable. With everyone coming out of Covid fears and political chaos, where are people turning to find a community, or communities, where they feel they are trusted and fully part of?   Are there currently many new communities or just new versions of past communities? How and why have different communities thrived and others dissolved or become dysfunctional, or even dangerous?

SPEAKER:  Alexander M. Padrois the executive director of Shaw Main Streets, Inc. in Washington, DC, the 2016 Great American Main Street Award-winner. Mr. Padro is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Shaw neighborhood’s commercial revitalization and historic preservation efforts. The organization has helped to attract over $3.5 billion in public and private investment to this commercial district, as well as over 400 new businesses. Mr. Padro helped found Shaw Main Streets and served as chair of the organization’s Board of Directors before being asked to assume the role of executive director. in 2004. Mr. Padro is a graduate of New York University and has been a corporate executive in the publishing industry, as well as a small business owner. A Shaw resident since 1997, he served 20 years as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and chairman of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C/6E in Shaw, is a board member for several non-profits, and advocates for preservation, affordable housing and the DC Public Library system.

FILM:  Moonlight is a 2016 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Barry Jenkins, based on Tarell Alvin McCraney's unpublished semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. It stars Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Naomie Harris, and Mahershala Ali.

The film presents three stages in the life of the main character: his childhood, adolescence, and early adult life. It explores the difficulties he faces with his sexuality and identity, including the physical and emotional abuse he endures growing up. Filmed in Miami, Florida, beginning in 2015, Moonlight premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2016. It was released in the United States on October 21, 2016 by A24, receiving universal acclaim and grossing over $65 million worldwide.

Moonlight has been cited as one of the best films of the 21st century. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with Best Supporting Actor for Ali and Best Adapted Screenplay for Jenkins and McCraney from a total of eight nominations, at the 89th Academy Awards. It became the first LGBTQ film, the first film with an all-black cast and the second-lowest-grossing film domestically (behind The Hurt Locker) to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Joi McMillonbecame the first black woman to be nominated for an editing Oscar, and Ali became the first Muslim to win an acting Oscar.

This event includes a cocktail reception, a panel discussion and a movie screening.

 The entire event will be outdoors in the patio area weather permitting.

Complimentary parking after 6 pm at 2001 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

RSVP required, reserve online.

6:00 pm Cocktail Reception

7:00 pm Movie & Discussion