Italian

Screening of “Inside Buffalo” followed by Q&A with director Fred Kuwornu: Inside Buffalo is the story of the 92nd Infantry Division—the first African-American combat unit to fight in World War II—and the Italians who recall the valor, generosity and heroism of the “Buffalo Soldiers” who fought alongside them. (2010; Italian with English subtitles)

Screening of documentary “18 IUS SOLI” followed by Q&A with director Fred Kuwornu: 18 Ius Soli tells the stories of 18 young people born and raised in Italy, whose parents are originally from Africa, Asia and Latin America. They go to school in Italy, they speak the language and dialects, yet they are not recognized as Italian citizens. (2012; Italian with English subtitles)

Dr. Sharon Hecker, art historian, curator, and leading scholar of Medardo Rosso (1858-1928), author of A Moment’s Monument: Medardo Rosso and the International Origins of Modern Sculpture. Dr. Hecker considers the artist’s work, his unusual casting techniques and exhibition strategies, as well as his influence on modern and contemporary artists.

Sponsored by Middlebury College Museum of Art, Department of History of Art and Architecture, Department of Italian

Lecture by Graziella Parati, Professor of Italian, Comparative Literature, and Women’s and Gender Studies;Paul D. Paganucci Chair of Italian Literature and Language; Director, Leslie Center for the Humanities, Dartmouth College

Screening and discussion of documentary “Blaxploitalian” with filmmaker Fred “Kudjo” Kuwornu. “BlaxploItalian” is a diasporic, hybrid, critical, and cosmopolitan dimension documentary that uncovers the careers of a population of entertainers seldom heard from before: Black actors in Italian cinema starting from 1915 when the first black actor appeared in an Italian film.

“Asmarina” film screening and Q&A with Medhin Paolos: The Eritrean/Ethiopian community has been present in Italy for at least half a century and it has been actively integrated into the social and cultural life of the city. Starting from the collective memories of the community, on the ground of photo documents, the film gathers together the legacy of personal stories, exploring the different shades of identity, migration and the aspirations of the people. Directed by Alan Maglio and Medhin Paolos (69 mins., English)

Fuocammare (“Fire at Sea”, 2016), is Gianfranco Rosi’s award-winning documentary on the arrival of migrants in Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost island and a tourist location. Screened with English subtitles.

Commencement reception for seniors and their families for the departments of Arabic, Chinese, Comparative Literature, German, Italian, Japanese Studies, Luso-Hispanic Studies, and Russian.