Four International Films To Be Screened at University in March

This March, the Women's and Gender Studies Minor Program at Texas A&M International University will celebrate Women's History Month with a special film series.

The "Women and Gender Studies Primavera Film Festival: An International Look at Gender Issues" will feature four films from around the world.

The Series schedule is as follows:

"The Official Story," Thursday, March 1, 7:30 p.m., Bullock Hall room 101;

"Bent," Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., Bullock Hall room 216;

"Yo, La Peor de Todas," Thursday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., Bullock Hall room 101; and

"Raise the Red Lantern," Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m., Bullock Hall room 101.

"The Official Story" (La Historia Oficial) is a 1985 Argentine production based on the fact that, during Argentina's military dictatorship of the 1970s and early 1980s, hundreds of children of political prisoners were kidnapped and adopted by the government elite and their friends. It is in Spanish with English subtitles. Dr. Jackie Jeffrey, assistant professor of anthropology-communications, will provide introduction and commentary for the film.

"Bent" is a 1997 film about two gay concentration camp victims at Dachau who use their relationship as an emotional crutch in their efforts to rebuff the horror of the Holocaust. The film is rated NC-17. Introduction and commentary for the film will be provided by Dr. Jeff Cass, associate professor of English.

"Yo, La Peor de Todas," (I, the Worst of All) is the story of the 17th-century Mexican writer and poet, Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz, and her close relationship with a Viceroy's wife who tried to warn her that "knowledge is always a transgression." The film, in Spanish with English subtitles, is based on the novel "The Traps of Faith" by Octavio Paz. Dr. Jose Cardona-Lopez, assistant professor of Spanish, will provide introduction and commentary for the film.

"Raise the Red Lantern," is a 1991 Chinese film based on the novel "Wives and Concubines" by Su Tong. The film is not rated but contains mature themes. It is in Mandarin with English subtitles. Introduction and commentary for the film will be provided by Dr. Xiaoming Zhang, assistant professor of history.

All films are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Dr. Kati Pletsch de Garcia, co-chair of the Women's and Gender Studies Minor Program, at 326-2614.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu