Office of Multicultural Affairs director, 308.865.8127
The film “Amistad” will be shown Wednesday, Feb. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. in Copeland Hall Room 142 on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus.
The movie showing, which is being held as part of African American Heritage Month observances, is being sponsored by the UNK Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“Amistad,” originally released in 1997, is the story of a mutiny aboard a slave ship, the Amistad, that is traveling towards America in 1839. After the ship reaches America, the revolting slaves are put on trial, and the ensuing courtroom action challenges the basis of slavery. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne, Anthony Hopkins and Matthew McConaughey.
Dr. Bryan Samuel, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said, “John Quincy Adams and other prominent public figures at that time advocated that slavery was wrong and unjust, and that the slave-started mutiny aboard Amistad was justified. When you think of slavery and abolition you think of African Americans. There were a number of famous people advocating on the slaves behalf.”
After the film, there will be an opportunity for a question-and-answer session.
