RIFF & Berry College Present
The Documentary Series: Through a Different Lens
Black Barbie: A Documentary. SEptembrer 16 at 7 pm. Berry College Intracultural Center
Love her or hate her, almost everyone has a Barbie story. Even if they don’t have a story, there’s a story as to why they don’t have a story. In this film, we tell the story behind the first Black Barbie, because yes, she has a story too. It started with the filmmaker’s 83-year old aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell, and the seemingly simple question, “Why not make a Barbie that looks like me?”
The ONLY Doctor. October 12 at 7:00 pm. The DeSoto Theatre
This contemporary story of rural healthcare in the United States highlights Dr. Karen Kinsell, for nearly 20 years the only doctor in Southwest Georgia’s Clay county.
The film begins when Dr. Kinsell comes to the realization that she can no longer afford to be the one-and-only volunteer doctor in rural Clay County, Georgia. But ever committed to her community, she looks to forge a partnership with a medical university in order to keep her clinic open. After several options, a possibility emerges and so does disappointment. Then the pandemic creates new challenges, but also opportunities and new decisions.
The Elephant 6 Recording Co. November 4. The Rome Inernational Film Festival
THE ELEPHANT 6 RECORDING CO. shares the unique inside story of the collective creative evolution behind the sounds of 1990s psychedelic rock bands the Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, and the Apples in Stereo – the founding groups behind the Elephant 6 collective, as well as a host of other artists -- with inspirational resonance for today’s music makers, and music lovers everywhere.
This film will be part of the 20th Anniversary Rome International Film Festival.
Butterfly In The Sky. February 11. Time TBD. The Rome City Auditorium
Butterfly In the Sky tells the story of the beloved PBS children’s series "Reading Rainbow," its iconic host LeVar Burton, and the challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of reading through television. Two seconds into the bubbling synth sounds of its theme song will have a child of the 1980s or ‘90s exclaiming “Reading Rainbow!” Such is the beloved nature of the classic children’s literary television show that introduced millions of kids to the wonder of books.
Not only did the series insist on having kids speak to kids about their favorite stories,Reading Rainbow introduced the world to one of the most adored television hosts of all time, LeVar Burton. Thanks to his direct, non-patronizing and, most importantly, kind delivery, Burton became a conduit to learning for children of every background - delving behind the pages to the people, places, and things each new story explored.