Indie Film: American History X!

Our next once-a-month Independent Film Night will be on Saturday, November 28 (Read further for film synopsis.) Because of limited space, the event is limited to the first twelve individuals who RSVP Yes. If you don't get a seat in time, feel free to sign up on the waiting list to receive an automatic RSVP seat and e-mail notification in the event of a cancellation. Those who RSVP will receive the Downtown Tempe address (and directions for free parking right on-site) over e-mail the day before. There is no cover charge and free parking, but we ask that you bring an hors d'oeuvre (as opposed to a munchie) for twelve and a bottle of wine to share. If you RSVP Yes and later find you cannot make it, please change your RSVP to No so someone on the waiting list can be given your seat. Please arrive no later than 7:50 (7:30 please if you need to heat an hors d'oeuvre yet). The movie will begin at 8:00. So bon appetit in both the mental and culinary realms! American History X, a highly disturbing, powerful film, landed a best actor Oscar nomination for Edward Norton in 1999. Still, it is one of the most overlooked films of its time. The film is a violent, realistic and moving portrayal of racism in the United States. It follows the path of a bright young man, Derek, from a relatively normal adolescence, to Nazi skinhead leadership, to a changed man. Some movies are rated R for strong language, some for sexual content, some for graphic violence. Be warned: This movie does it all. The violent scenes will stay with you forever, the word "f***" is repeated over 300 times, and the effect is not at all softened with a happy ending. If there is no way such a film can have redeeming qualities for you, trust me, you need to stay the f*** home. But I can testify that none of this is gratuitous. As I tell my students before they sign and legally consent to this exposure, "Racism cannot be made fluffy." This film is the most accurate and powerful study I have encountered of origins of racism, recruiting strategies of hate groups, and the dangerous, escalating feedback loop such acts of hate create.