Congo in Harlem II: October 17 - 23, 2010

Congo in Harlem 2 is the second annual series of Congo-related films, performances and discussions at the Maysles Cinema in Harlem, New York. This year's program runs from October 17 - 23rd, and showcases a wide range of films by Congolese and international directors, representing the most important issues facing the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most screenings will be followed by panel discussions, special events, musical performances, and receptions. Click here to see complete listing of films and discussions and purchase tickets online.

Congo in Harlem 2 will provide audiences with more than the traditional movie-going experience -- it will offer opportunities to celebrate Congolese culture, learn about the ongoing humanitarian crisis, engage in dialogue, and get involved.

Highlights of the program include:

Sunday, October 17th
Friends of Congo kicks off Break the Silence: Congo Week with a special screening by Cultures of Resistance, performances by Harlem’s own IMPACT Repertory Theatre and Toni Blackmon,
and a tribute to legendary soukous singer Kanda Bongo Man, who will participate in an engaging dialogue about the Congolese music scene and social and political situation in the Congo.

Wednesday, October 20thFollowing the films Jazz Mama by Petna Katondolo and Weapon of War by Isle and Femke Van Velzen, a discussion will ensue with Dr. Roger Luhiriri (human rights advocate and former fistula doctor at Panzi Hospital), Jocelyn Kelly (gender-based violence Research Coordinator with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative) and Dr. Lee Ann De Reus (President of the Board of Directors of Panzi Hospital Foundation).

Friday, October 22nd
The featured film is “Tragedy in the Congo” by Jihan El-Tahri. The film will be followed by a discussion with director Jihan El-Tahri, Jason Stearns (Congo researcher/analyst, former UN investigator) and Luc Côté (Lead investigator/writer of the UN mapping report), and moderated by Samar Al-Bulushi (Congo researcher) & reception.

Saturday, October 23rd
Saturday afternoon will be an engaging panel discussion focused on solutions to the child soldier problem, featuring Ishmael Beah (author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier), Jimmie Briggs (author of Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War) and Kambale Musavuli, Student Coordinator and Spokesperson, Friends of the Congo.

Saturday night, the closing night film will be Thierry Michel's expose of mining operations in Congo, Katanga Business, followed by a panel with Peter Rosenblum (Professor of Human Rights Law, Columbia University), New York Times Reporter Howard French and Congolese scholar currently at the Hoover Institution, Mvemba Dizolele.

Join us in Harlem and spread the word to your friends, family and loved ones as Congo Week takes place throughout the globe from Australia to Sweden, Japan to South Africa, Brazil to United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Congo and elsewhere.