Described as both a “serialized cinematic experience” and an “experimental fictional drama,” Cariños is the work of local filmmaker Christopher Michael Roybal. This “visionary auteur” (his words, we’re assuming) has directed a number of short films and documentaries over the years. (He’s also running for governor.) Cariños follows a group of New Mexicans as they “collide in unconventional and unexpected ways, all while trying to both uncover and keep secrets that could change their life.” Originally shown as 53 weekly episodes online, the story has finally been compiled into one narrative and is premiering this Thursday, Feb. 8, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s Bank of America Theatre (1701 Fourth Street SW). The screening starts at 7pm. Donations will be collected in lieu of tickets. All donations go to the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.
Reel World: Who Indeed? Who Indeed?
The Green Party of New Mexico hosts a free screening of the documentary feature Who Bombed Judi Bari? this Saturday, Feb. 10. While driving through Oakland on their way to a benefit concert for the Redwood Summer campaign to save California’s redwood forests, environmental activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney were injured by a pipe bomb that detonated under the driver’s seat of their car. Authorities tried to prove the pair had been injured by their own explosive device, which accidentally detonated. The two were never charged with a crime, however, and were eventually awarded $4.4 million for civil rights violations by the FBI and the Oakland Police Department. The award-winning film about these events screens at Botts Hall in the Special Collections Library (423 Central Ave. NE) starting at 2:30pm. A call-in Q&A with producer Darryl Cherney is planned afterward.
Reel World: Higher Education Higher Education
In honor of Black History Month, New Mexico PBS and the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs are offering a free Indie Lens Pop-up Screening of the documentary Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges & Universities. It happens this Saturday, Feb. 10, from 12:30 to 4pm at the African American Performing Art Center at EXPO New Mexico (310 San Pedro NE). The film screening is followed by a panel discussion. The topic “HBCUs: Why Are They Important” will be tackled by Destiny Dickerson from Virginia State University, Idris Somoye from Morgan State University, Rasheeda Johnson from Howard University and Jasmine Scott from NC A&T State University. A complementary lunch is served. Admission is free. For more info go to pbs.org/independentlens/indie-lens-pop-up.
