events!

in case you haven't heard, the other journal is putting on the third annual showing of their film, faith, and justice (FFJ) festival. i haven't been yet, but it seems like a great event--award winning documentaries from the human rights watch traveling film festival, crazy cool speakers from around the nation, discussion panels that include local community leaders, nonprofit volunteer opportunities--wow.

generally speaking, when i watch films like hotel rwanda or the devil came on horseback, i'm paralyzed by a stark understanding of my own monetary, time, knowledge, and geographical limitations; i'm caught by that ugly question, what now? however, with FFJ, i'm hopeful that the illuminating lectures, discussions, and nonprofit booths will help provide some context, thought, and directive for how i am to respond to these kinds of films.

you can check out FFJ on facebook or the FFJ site (buy tickets here).

you can see some of the movie previews here:

• up the yangtze: this one seems like a must-see.
• a promise to the dead: the exile journey of ariel dorfman: the story in this film seems interesting, but the music at the end of the trailer really catches my attention--it seems so eerie, beautiful, and disquieting.
• the greatest silence: rape in the congo: this one looks tough. it reminds me of a dan allender essay we're publishing in our book remembering the future this month.
• project kashmir: this one looks beautifully filmed and rather engaging.

also, monday night at 5pm (october 12), there's a mock debate at the SE senior center at rainier and holly. if you go, be sure to say hi to mike and mari, friends of the 17 point scale, and perhaps me.