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About the Film
Directed by Daniel Mermet and Olivier Azam, Howard Zinn, A Popular American History is a documentary film inspired by Howard Zinn’s best-selling book A People's History of the United States and revisits the entire history of the United States. In this documentary, hear interviews with Howard Zinn, renowned historian and professor at Boston University, linguist Noam Chomsky, war reporter and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Chris Hedges among others. Don't miss the premiere of Howard Zinn, a Popular American History before its official release in the U.S. The film will be introduced by directors Daniel Mermet and Olivier Azam, and discussion moderated by Erin Trahan. A Q&A session and reception will follow.
This event is co-presented with Les Mutins de Pangée and TV5MONDE.
About the directors
Daniel Mermet is a radio producer, journalist and writer. He produces and hosts the radio program Là-bas si j’y suis (for 25 years on France Inter and now on the website la-bas.org). Filmography: Chomsky & Cie (2008) and Chomsky & le pouvoir (2009), Howard Zinn, A Popular American History (2015)
Olivier Azam is a director, producer, and founding member of the audiovisual cooperative Les Mutins de Pangée. Filmography: Je déboule à Kaboul (2002), Désentubages cathodiques (2005) Chomsky & Cie Chomsky & le pouvoir (2009), Grandpuits et petites victoires (2010), Une histoire de la grève générale (2011), Howard Zinn, A Popular American History (2015), La cigale, le corbeau et les poulets (2016)
About the moderator
Erin Trahan writes regularly about film for WBUR (Boston’s NPR News Station) and has also contributed to The Boston Globe, MovieMaker Magazine, The Independent, New Hampshire Public Radio, AGNI, Women’s Review of Books and elsewhere. She frequently serves on film festival juries and panels and has taught film-related courses for Montserrat College of Art and currently at Emerson College. She has a particular fondness for facilitating post-film dialogue and has created adult education classes that travel to film festivals, including to Montreal. She has also co-authored seven Frommer’s Guides to Montreal and Quebec City.
Watch the trailer
New Cinema Programming
Starting this Spring, cinema is taking the leap at the French Library. We have revisited and expanded our programming to offer you new ways to experience the best of French and Francophone cinema. While continuing the monthly Ciné-Clubs to catch up on recent films from the Francophone world, we are launching Ciné-Rétro, a two-evening marathon to discover or re-discover some 1940s to 1970s French classics and Ciné-Loulous, where children and their families can enjoy French animated gems followed by arts and crafts activities inspired by the film. As always, you will be able to mingle and discuss the films with our in-house film expert, fellow cinéphiles and francophiles.
Through the Lens
Through the Lens: A Multilateral Perspective on Today's World is a series of events inviting artists, journalists, and experts in politics, economy and ethics from both sides of the Atlantic to share their analyses and participate in debates about some of today’s most pressing issues. Organized by the French Library in partnership with local and international partners, the series will take place from September 22nd, 2016 through May 2nd, 2017 in the Center’s historic brownstone. Through the Lens includes panel discussions, art exhibits, a film screening, workshops, and a stage reading on a variety of themes ranging from the upcoming presidential elections in France and the United States, to freedom of speech in the post-Charlie Hebdo era, to protection of journalists’ autonomy and security and some of the XXIst century’s most memorable trials.
Sponsors
This event is sponsored by Les Mutins de Pangée and TV5MONDE, This Program is made possible thanks in part to the Institut Français, the Mosaïque Cultural Fund and Steven Galante, Chairman of the French Library.
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