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By Jill Yesko, University Relations
Contact (336) 334-3890
Posted:10-1-08
GREENSBORO, N.C. – “The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo,” a film depicting sexual violence against women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will be shown on Thursday, Oct. 23.
The film, which received a Special Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, will be screened at 7 p.m. in Room 225 of the Curry Building. The public is welcome at no charge.
The film will also be shown on Friday, Oct. 24, at North Carolina A&T.
Emmy Award-winning producer and director Lisa Jackson will answer questions following the film. The film is part of Congo Week taking place Oct. 19-25 at colleges and universities around the world.
Since war began in the Congo in 1998, more than four million lives have been lost. Jackson traveled to the Congolese war zones in 2006 interviewing some of the estimated tens of thousands of women and girls who had been captured and raped by soldiers from both foreign militias the Congolese army. She also interviewed a self-confessed rapist. The film is her journey into a literal heart of darkness that uncovers horrors alongside shining examples of resiliency, courage and grace.
Jackson’s own experience of having been raped in the U.S. allowed her to make an immediate connection with the women, lending a special intimacy to their conversations.
The event is sponsored by UNCG’s departments of History, Sociology, International and Global Studies, the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, the Lloyd International Honors College, the International Programs Center and North Carolina A&T’s Multicultural Students Center.
For more information about Congo Week visit www.congoweek.org.
University Relations
Location: 500 Forest Street
Mailing Address: PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
Telephone:336.334.3783
Fax:336.334.4602