Immigration Film Series

Join us for our third annual winter film series - this year on immigration. All films begin at 7:00pm and are shown at the York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Rd., York, ME. All are welcome!! Donations are gratefully accepted.

1. JANUARY 8, 2011 Golden Door (2007) In this sweeping immigrant's tale from director Emanuele Crialese, Sicilian widower Salvatore Mancuso (Vincenzo Amato) leaves behind everything he knows to pursue a better life in America at the dawn of the 20th century. With his sons in tow, Mancuso survives the harrowing Atlantic crossing only to suffer more hardship and humiliation on Ellis Island. But along the way, he finds romance with a mysterious Englishwoman (Charlotte Gainsbourg).

2. JANUARY 15, 2011 Under the Same Moon (2007) Heart-warming story about a mother who leaves Mexico to make a home for herself and her son (Adrian Alonso). When the boy's grandmother dies, leaving him alone, he sets off on his own to find his mother (Kate del Castillo). Directed by Patricia Riggen. Fox Searchlight purchased this film at the Sundance Film Festival. Recognizing that this theme is more than just the plot for a movie, the film's website has provided links to organizations that help to reunite separated immigrant families.

3. JANUARY 22, 2011 Frozen River (2008). On a Mohawk reservation on the Canadian border, Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo, in an Oscar-nominated turn) teams with widowed tribe member Lila Littlewolf (Misty Upham) to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. Though the work provides the women with much-needed money, each trip puts them in peril. Charlie McDermott and Michael O'Keefe also star in this riveting drama nominated for multiple Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature.

4. JANUARY 29, 2011 God Grew Tired of Us (2006) Won the jury prize and audience award for U.S. documentaries at Sundance 2006. The film follows three Sudanese boys, refugees from Sudan's bloody civil war, as they try to adjust to life in the U.S. Coming from unspeakable conditions, young witnesses of unspeakable horrors, their honesty and goodness is unquestionable. And so the question raised is, "What conditions create a civilized society?"

Teaching Tolerance/Developing Empathy/Reducing Bullying

The York Diversity Forum will host a talk by Dr. Robert Bernheim, Ex. Director of the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine on December 11, from 10am to 12 noon, at the York Public Library. He will address issues of tolerance, development of educational programs to promote tolerance and reduce bullying, and creation of ethically literate populations. An active voice against intolerance and hate based activities, Dr. Bernheim has spoken to civic groups and published letters in Maine newspapers about the need for open dialogue, discussion, and involvement and commitment at the local level, to promote safe, diverse communities.

Dr. Bernheim is a graduate of Bowdoin college, holds a PhD from McGill University and has taught Holocaust History, Modern German and European History, Jewish History and Military History at Middlebury College, and the University of Vermont.

Since 2003, the York Diversity Forum(YDF) has addressed issues of diversity in the community. Our mission is to be a visible, peaceful, active voice and resource that promotes understanding, acceptance and respect for people of all races cultures, religions, sexual orientation ages and abilities.

There is no cost for attending, but donations will be accepted