A.L. group to host free film festival

Albert Lea’s Human Rights Commission and Paths to Peace will host a new event — a free film festival on Saturday — and the community is invited to attend.

Taryn Israel Nechanicky, a member of the Human Rights Commission, said the purpose of the event is to show films and start a dialogue in the community about diversity and other issues.

One of the films, “Shrek,” will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles. The movie is rated PG, and Nechanicky hopes the film will attract Spanish-speaking families.

“It’s geared toward families so we’re hoping that makes the event accessible for the Spanish-speaking population,” Nechanicky said.

Two documentaries, “Bullied” and “Freeheld,” will be shown at 3 and 4 p.m., respectively. Each ranges from 30 to 45 minutes and will include a discussion after for those who are interested.

“Bullied” chronicles one student’s ordeal with anti-gay bullies and offers and inspiring message of hope to people fighting harassment. “Freeheld” is a documentary that follows a detective who investigates tough cases in New Jersey, who struggles to transfer her earned pension to her domestic partner.

“It’s an easy way to get a quick perspective on a topic,” Nechanicky said.

After a break from about 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., “The Visitor” will be shown. It’s a feature-length drama that’s rated PG-13. It follows a man who’s forced to face issues like identity, immigration and cross-cultural communication. Nechanicky said the Human Rights Commission’s goal is to increase awareness in the community about immigration, bullying and different cultures and ethnicities, among other things.

The Human Rights Commission also sponsors the Taste of Heritage event each spring held at the Northbridge Mall. Nechanicky said the group also hopes to someday do a project where members of the community read a book and discuss the topic.

The group partnered with Paths to Peace, which usually shows two films each fall for its annual film series. Paths to Peace will again have a film series offering in the spring.

If you go

What: Film festival
When: “Shrek” in Spanish at 1 p.m., “Bullied” at 3 p.m., “Freeheld” at 4 p.m. and “The Visitor” at 7 p.m.
Where: Albert Lea High School auditorium
Cost: Free

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