On April 29, the current leader of the free world, Donald Trump, reached 100 days in office, and news outlets went nuts crunching the numbers. What’s his approval rating? Around 40 percent. How many executive orders has he signed? Somewhere between 29 and 33. How many days did he spend golfing? Probably 19. Tomahawk missiles launched at Syria? 59. How many people were at his inauguration? Oh God, not that again.
Undistracted by this flurry, a nationwide coalition of community centers and movie theaters, including the Doris Duke Theatre, collectively decided that one number matters most: seven. That’s the number of predominantly Muslim nations whose citizens Trump attempted to ban from entering the United States with his Executive Order 13769—which, along with its subsequent replacement, was blocked for being discriminatory.
Throughout the month of May, more than 50 venues present the Seventh Art Stand—the cinematic community’s act of solidarity against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination (film is known as the “seventh art”—the others are architecture, sculpture, painting, music, poetry, and dance). The mixed-format event features films from and about the seven affected nations, and provides a number of workshops, panels, and lectures.
In addition to being one of the only theaters presenting films from all seven of the nations listed in the original ban, the Doris Duke Theatre offers a slate of exciting programming—from May 27 to June 7—much of which is free, designed to inform, inspire and spur dialog.
Opening talk: An interview with Hawai‘i Attorney General Doug Chin
May 27, 1pm • Free, ticket required
Honolulu Civil Beat presents a one-on-one interview with Hawai‘i Attorney General Doug Chin (pictured at top), who drew national attention for filing the state’s lawsuit that ultimately halted President Donald Trump’s revised executive order on immigration.
For further background, see Civil Beat’s recent coverage and a short clip of the attorney general: Meet The Man Taking On Donald Trump.
Film + talk: The Salesman + Women’s rights in Iran
May 28, 1pm • $10 | $8 museum members
Oscar-winning director Asghar Farhadi’s The Salesman was one of the most highly anticipated films at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won Best Actor and Best Screenplay awards. The Salesman went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film; however, Farhadi did not attend the 89th Academy Awards ceremony in protest of the U.S. Executive Order 13769.
Following the May 28 screening Roshan Institute Instructor of Persian Language and Culture at UH Mānoa Ladan Hamedani gives a talk about women’s rights in Iran.
Talk: Art’s Role in Protecting First Amendment Rights
May 29, 7pm • Free, ticket required
The ACLU of Hawai‘i’s legal director Mateo Caballero discusses art’s role in advancing free speech and equal rights. Caballero talks about art as a potent weapon, powerful shield, and form of visionary resistance.
Stills from the short film series ‘Libya in Motion.’
Workshops: America I Believe In
May 31, June 1 + 2 • Free, tickets required
Hosted by Amnesty International Hawai‘i Chapter, America I Believe In provides training and the necessary tools for people who wish to become better informed, and be stronger advocates for our Muslim, refugee, and immigrant communities.
May 31, 6-7pm: Confronting fear, hate, and bigotry
June 1, 6-7pm: Real facts on immigrants and refugees
June 2, 6-7pm: Anti-Muslim Hate
Performance: Syrian violinist Mariela Shaker
June 3, 8pm • $25 | $20 museum members
Mariela Shaker, violin virtuoso from Aleppo, Syria, shares her story and music to promote peace and raise awareness for the plights of the Syrian people.
Workshop: Art Without Borders: A Shangri La Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon
June 4, 9am-4pm • Free, ticket required
This event takes place in the Education Lecture Hall, located below the museum’s Palm Courtyard.
Shangri La, in partnership with the Doris Duke Theatre, presents Art Without Borders, a Wikipedia edit-a-thon to enrich and diversify information about art found by online search engines. Participants will learn about critical issues and how to edit entries on Wikipedia. Prior knowledge of Wikipedia and online editing is not required.
Director chats
Skype and in-person conversations with directors follow these films: The Dark Wind, House Without Roof, A New Day in Old Sana’a (the first feature film from Yemen), God Grew Tired of Us, Libya in Motion, Fishing Without Nets (in person chat), After Spring, Last Men in Aleppo (panel with Hawaii J20+) + In the Last Days of the City.
See all of the Doris Duke Theatre’s programming for The Seventh Art Stand.
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Pictured at top: Hawai‘i Attorney General Doug Chin
5.5.2017