Looking for some free family fun this summer? The Tallgrass Film Association, with the Kansas African American Museum, Power CDC, and Evergy Community Investment Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation, along with the Historic Dunbar Theatre present four films, film discussions and more in June under the stars. All four films will be shown on the site of the Historic Dunbar Theater, 1007 N. Cleveland, Wichita.
Many Fires This Time: We The 100 Million (2021)
June 4, 8 p.m.
Director: Jason Foster
Running Time: 70 min
Poetic docudrama about the nearly a third of the nation — living below 200% of the federal poverty level or in economic insecurity. The film follows the journey of poet and activist A Scribe Called Quess? as he connects with fellow activist poets and the communities they represent from Oakland to Chicago to Kentucky to his hometown of New Orleans. Along the way, the film takes a glimpse into the worlds of everyday people fighting for equity and justice in issues ranging from housing and gentrification, to police violence, to environmental The film by African American director Jason Foster, was an official Tallgrass Film Festival 2021 selection to the Gordon Parks Black Excellence in Filmmaking category.
A post screening Q&A with feature Foster, subject Michael “Quess” Moore and Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp.
Imitation of Life (1959)
June 11, 7 p.m.
Director: Douglas Sirk
Running Time: 125 min
Lora Meredith (Lana Turner), a White single mother who dreams of being on Broadway, has a chance encounter with Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), a Black widow. Annie becomes the caretaker of Lora’s daughter, Suzie (Sandra Dee), while Lora pursues her stage career. Both women deal with the difficulties of motherhood: Lora’s thirst for fame threatens her relationship with Suzie, while Annie’s light-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner), struggles with her African-American identity.
The panel discussion for this film will preced the screening and will be moderated by The Kansas African American Museum.
BlacKKKlansman (2018)
Director: Spike Lee
Running Time: 128 min
June 18, 8 p.m.
Ron Stallworth is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. The detective soon recruits a more seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman, into the undercover investigation of a lifetime. Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream.
There will be a post screening Q&A with Kevin Willmott, who shared an Academy Award with Spike Lee for Best Adapted Screeplay for Black Kkklansman.
Space Jam (1996)
Running Time: 88 min
June 19, 3 p.m. street party – 4 p.m. Space Jam
In a desperate attempt to win a basketball match and earn their freedom, the Looney Tunes seek the aid of retired basketball champion Michael Jordan.
Before this screening, come out and enjoy a street party with music by Pioneer DJ Don in the Mixx, and pick up some food from U-Hungry Truck and My Madea’s Soul Food Truck. Free popcorn will be provided prior to the screening.