Allyship and Film Series: Myanmar’s Killing Fields

Event Details

The Allyship and Film Series project is a partnership between YWCA Northeast Indiana’s Racial Justice program and the Fort Wayne Cinema Center. The goal of the film and discussion series is to create space for viewers to develop empathy and understanding of diverse cultures, model ways for viewers to practice allyship for other communities, promote the voices and stories of marginalized groups (including local stories) and educate viewers through specialized scholar facilitation and thought-provoking community discussion.

This month’s film is Myanmar’s Killing Fields, which utilizes secret footage and eyewitness accounts to shine new light on a brutal campaign by the Myanmar military against Rohingya Muslims—an effort that has been described by both the United Nations and the United States as “ethnic cleansing.”

The post-film discussion will emphasize allyship with the Burmese community. Dr. Art Herbig, director of the Fort Wayne Cinema Center, will host a conversation that provides context to learn about what it’s like living in Fort Wayne as a Burmese immigrant and the experience of Burmese immigrants in the community. There are not many opportunities for an in-depth glance into Burmese history and culture despite the large Burmese population in northeast Indiana (20,000). Promoting awareness and understanding of this key cultural group is essential for members of the community in their practice of allyship.

All programming takes place at the Fort Wayne Cinema Center, located in downtown Fort Wayne. The Cinema Center is easily accessible via local bus routes and also has a parking lot across the street. Films will be shown in the Spectator Lounge, which is a secondary theater that is easily accessible from the entrance of the building and includes the box office.

For more information, visit YWCA Northeast Indiana’s website, email ckilgore@ywcaerw.org or call 260.424.4908.

This program received support from an Indiana Humanities Action Grant.