Reel America: Free films on Slater Mill spotlight America’s diverse cultures

(Pawtucket, RI) Slater Mill rolls out the big screen this summer, offering a Wednesday evening outdoor film series that explores America’s culturally diverse populations and communities.
Reel America: a Mosaic of Diverse Communities in Film is a six-week film program presented by the Old Slater Mill Association with funding from a Rhode Island Foundation Community Grant.
The selected films explore themes that range from celebrated cultural contributions of artists and athletes, such as Selena, Sugar, and Bend it Like Beckham, to more series portrayals of the struggles and conflicts faced by refugees and immigrants, such as God Grew Tired of Us and Papers: The Stories of Undocumented Youth. All films are rated PG or PG-13. Most will be shown with Spanish language subtitles.
“As different as the films are, they unify around the concepts of identity, resolve, and belonging across international borders,” said Erika Davis, Events and Programs Manager at Slater Mill. “We chose these eight films because they represent the diverse people and cultures in Rhode Island, and the stories that need to be told and shared in ways other than just headline news sound bytes.”
The program is intended as a free opportunity for enrichment through film, and a nice evening under the stars at Slater Mill’s historic downtown Pawtucket campus.
The films will be projected onto a 17-foot screen installed on the side of the Slater Mill bell tower. Patrons may set out blankets or chairs on the grassy area aside the mill, and are welcome to bring their own snacks and beverages. The Slater Mill store will also be open for concessions and restrooms.
The films will be presented on Wednesday evenings at 8:00 p.m., 67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket RI. The schedule includes: July 19, The Namesake. July 26, Under the Same Moon. August 2, Bend it Like Beckham. August 9 (double feature), Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth and God Grew Tired of
Us. August 16 (double feature), Sugar and Selena. August 23, The Secret of Grain. The site is accessible to those with limited mobility. Parking is available in the Slater Mill lot, off Slater Avenue.
For more information, visit slatermill.org