Press/Journalists

Press Release nr99-29
Press Release · Friday, November 20, 1998

Washington, DC

Press Release
November 20, 1998
Films at the National Archives in January

Washington, DC . . . In January, the National Archives and Records Administration presents film screenings featuring topics in Black History and World War II cartoons.

The screenings will be held in the theater of the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, and in the auditorium the National Archives at College Park, which is located at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD. All programs are free and open to the public. Free parking is available at the National Archives at College Park. The times and dates may be verified by calling the National Archives public events line at (201)501-5000. The hearing impaired should call TDD (202) 501-5404 for information.

Please Note: The theater at the downtown National Archives Building is equipped with a system that allows the hearing-impaired to use a set of headphones, or neck loop and a small receiver, to enhance the volume of the public address system. Visitors may request these devices in the projection booth.

Washington, DC Events

Friday, January 8—Black History 4 Little Girls, released in 1997. On September 15, 1963, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in segregated Birmingham, Alabama was bombed. Addie Mae Collins (14), Carol Denise McNair (11), Cynthia Wesley (14) and Carole Rosamond Robertson (14) died in the blast. This film is director Spike Lee's critically acclaimed documentary about the four young girls whose violent deaths helped galvanize the civil rights movement in the early 1960's. Lee combines archival footage from the period with interviews with family members, civil rights leaders, celebrities, and politicians to create a eloquent and profoundly moving film. (Please note: this film contains scenes that may be disturbing to certain audience members). (102 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Friday, January 15—Black History Mississippi, America, released in 1995. Narrated by Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, this documentary chronicles the Freedom Summer of 1964 that changed the state of Mississippi and the country forever. That summer, people of different races, occupations, and ages worked together to register blacks to vote. It also sparked a growing national commitment to the right to vote for all Americans— resulting in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Produced by Judith McCray. (60 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Friday, January 22—World War II Ductators, released in 1997, is a fascinating and unique look at the use of cartoons during the Second World War. Throughout the war, cartoons produced by both the Hollywood studios and the U.S. Government proved to be an effective way to deliver propaganda and educational ideas to the general public and armed forces. This film is by Walter Braamhorst and Guus van Waveren. Following the screening of Ductators, NARA will present examples of wartime cartoons from the holdings of the National Archives' motion picture collection. (70 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Friday, January 29—Black History The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords, released in 1998. This new documentary chronicles the history of the Black press and its central role in the construction of modern African American identity. From the forming of the first Black newspaper in 1827, Freedom's Journal, this film demonstrates that the written word has been as fundamental as music or religion in the evolution of African American consciousness. Produced and directed by Stanley Nelson. (86 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

College Park, MD Events

(For descriptions of College Park films, see above listings)

    JANUARY 6

  • 4 Little Girls (102 minutes.) Noon
  • JANUARY 13

  • Mississippi, America (60 minutes.) Noon
  • JANUARY 20

  • Ductators (70 minutes.) Noon
  • JANUARY 27

  • The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords (86 minutes.) Noon

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

99-29

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