Tonight, Vermilionville is hosting its free monthly cultural film series, Les Vues, held the last Monday of the month in their Performance Center. The free film series is curated by filmmakers and enthusiasts, mostly from around the state. The films will center around the curator’s interest and can range from features to documentaries, student film, shorts, animation, etc. Following the screenings will be an open discussion between the audience and the curator about the movie and how it applies on a local level.
The October screening will be curated by Dr. Natalie Keefer, assistant professor of social studies education at the University of Louisiana, who will be showing Our Spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding School_,_ winner of the Best Feature Documentary at the International Cherokee Film Festival, the 2008 Accolade Competition Award of Excellence and the 2008 Best Documentary at the Columbus International Film Festival.
Our Spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding School takes a Native American perspective on the educational system that was built to remove indigenous culture and destroy tribal unity. Produced by Rich-Heape Films, Inc., this film uncovers the dark history of the U.S. government policy that took Native American children from their homes, forced them into boarding schools and enacted a policy of educating them in the ways of Western Society. The film gives a voice to the countless Native American children forced through a system designed to strip them of their Native American heritage and traditions.
The Les Vues Film Series screens Our Spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding School on Monday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Vermilionville, located at 300 Fisher Road in Lafayette. Admission to the film series is free, but a suggested $5 donation will go towards screening and curating costs. To find out more about upcoming films, view trailers or for more details visit Vermilionville.org or call (337) 233-4077.