FREDONIA – The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present a special one-night-only screening of the controversial and impactful documentary, “The Lottery,” on Fri., July 9, at 8 p.m. In a country where 58% of African American 4th graders are functionally illiterate, “The Lottery” uncovers the failures of the traditional public school system and reveals that hundreds of thousands of parents attempt to flee the system every year. “The Lottery” follows four of these families from Harlem and the Bronx who have entered their children in a charter school lottery. Out of thousands of hopefuls, only a small minority will win the chance of a better future.
Directed by Madeleine Sackler and shot by award-winning cinematographer Wolfgang Held, “The Lottery” uncovers a ferocious debate surrounding the education reform movement. Interviews with politicians and educators explain not only the crisis in public education, but also why it is fixable. A call to action to avert a catastrophe in the education of American children, “The Lottery” makes the case that any child can succeed.
The film features Fredonia native Jim Manly in his role as principal of Harlem Success Academy 2, one of the charter schools profiled in the film. Manly is the son of Doug and Ann Manly.
One question that has been raised about the film is why the teachers’ union perspective was not included. The answer is that they declined to participate. Throughout the making of the film, producers made 15 written requests and follow-up phone calls to representatives of the teachers’ union to interview a representative of the union's choosing. Despite these repeated requests, the union declined to participate in the film.
New York magazine says of the film, “Following four families trying to get their kids into a prestigious Harlem charter school, this heartbreaking documentary offers an opinionated, powerful and potentially controversial take on the crisis of public education in the U.S.” The Village Voice calls it “a precise, impassioned look at the battle between zone and charter schools in Harlem.” Film critic Avi Offer calls it “an eye-opening, provocative and heartfelt documentary that will inspire you to debate and discuss the issue of charter schools openly and intelligently.” The Wall Street Journal notes “this new documentary by a 27-year-old filmmaker could change the national debate about public education.” Unrated, “The Lottery” runs 81 minutes.
The Opera House Cinema Series is sponsored by Cliffstar Corporation. Tickets for Cinema Series movies are available at the door for $7 (adults), $6.50 (seniors & Opera House members) and $5 (students & children) the night of each showing. The series continues with “Babies” on July 10 & 13; and “City Island” on July 24 & 27. For more information, call the Opera House box office at 716-679-1891.
Chautauqua County’s only year-round performing arts center, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.
|
TAGS
fredonia, screening, the lottery, harlem, cinema series, cliffstar, public schools, African American |
