What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1072716
6 WHAT'S UP! JANUARY 20-26, 2019 Monday Movie Mania Screening inspires conversations about women LARA JO HIGHTOWER NWA Democrat-Gazette T he Bentonville Film Festival Foundation is sponsoring a special screening of the documentary "Women Like Us," directed by Sally Colón-Petree, at 6 p.m. Monday at the Skylight Cinema in Bentonville. The movie, an official selection of the 2018 festival, details the efforts of women in the United States and in Africa as they try to move the world in a positive direction through their work with women and girls in vulnerable populations. "This is something that I've always wanted to do," says Colón-Petree. "I've always been fascinated by powerful and unique women willing to go out and do whatever it takes to help people. My mom is one of those people, and her death inspired this documentary. She was a social worker and passed away in January, and I started this documentary in February in honor of her." Colón-Petree says she hopes the documentary will help raise awareness of the serious issues that currently plague young women and girls in society — like sex trafficking — as well as inspire others to get involved and help effect change. "Your basic abilities matter and could be a miracle in somebody's life," says Caroline Barnett, a co-founder of the L.A. Dream Center, in the film's trailer. "[The Bentonville Film Festival focuses] on inclusion — we look for content and stories that have a focus on women's empowerment and gender, as well as diverse studies on screen and behind the camera," says Wendy Guerrero, the festival's president of programming. "Sally really filled all of those buckets. She's a Latinx, female filmmaker shining a light on women and stories that matter, and that's really important to bring to the festival. These types of stories are so powerful. She was a perfect fit for what the Bentonville Film Fest is all about.' Colón-Petree is currently in post- production on a documentary about the re-building of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. She'll be making an appearance at the screening of "Women Like Us" on Monday in Bentonville, where she starts filming a Latinx documentary this week. The film is part of a series titled BFF Movie Mondays, according to Ashley Edwards, programming manager for the festival, which is scheduled for May 7-11. Pre-sale festival badges are being offered at a discount through March 1, and full- price single tickets go on sale April 1 at bentonvillefilmfestival.com. Courtesy Image Women featured in Sally Colón- Petree's documentary "Women Like Us" include Sherri Shepherd, Catt Sadler and Caroline Barnett; Moby contributed music to the film. BENTONVILLE FAQ 'Women Like Us' WHEN — 6 p.m. Jan. 21 WHERE — The Skylight Cinema, 350 S.W. A St., Bentonville COST — $8 in advance, $10 at the door INFO — 367-7629 BONUS — BFF 2018 film- maker Sally Colón-Petree will be in attendance for a 5 p.m. reception open to ticketholders and a Q&A discussion immediately following the screening of the film hosted by BFF Movie Mondays with partner Visit Bentonville.