BRATTLEBORO — Latchis Arts announces the relaunch of its monthly Spotlight Film Series with a focus during the first month on Black Voices.
Spotlight is a curated series, featuring films on a different theme each month which shine a spotlight on different voices in filmmaking. Films are shown on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Latchis Theatre; admission is by donation ($10 suggested), but no one will be turned away.
This month features four films, widely regarded as insightful and engaging, that spotlight fresh and fearless Black directors, performers, and creators.
Latchis Arts chose the series theme for this month in recognition of Juneteenth and in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
The series opens on Thursday, June 10, with Queen & Slim, Melina Matsoukas' stylish and hard-hitting feature film about a first date that takes an unexpected turn when a routine traffic stop escalates into violence.
Queen & Slim co-stars 2021 Academy Award-winner Daniel Kaluuya. Matsoukas is well-known for her work with Beyonce, including the visual album Lemonade.
Spotlight continues June 17 with Fruitvale Station, a 2013 feature film based on a true story. Released from prison, Oscar Grant is trying to live a clean life, but he becomes swept up in a New Year's Eve altercation that ends in tragedy. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale Station took top honors at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The film is rated R.
On June 24, Latchis Arts presents Time, a 2021 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature. Beautiful and haunting, Time is a unique and powerful broadside at the flaws of the U.S. justice system, told through the lens of one woman's two-decade campaign for the release of her husband, who is serving a 60-year sentence for robbery.
As described in a news release, “Using home movies shot by the family, Garrett Bradley's powerful direction weaves a story that rises above easy appeals to outrage and empathy.” Time is rated PG-13.
The series concludes on July 1 with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This animated, kid-friendly action/adventure from 2018 won praise from audiences and critics alike as possibly the best Spider-Man movie ever made. It is rated PG.
Proceeds from Spotlight Series films benefit the non-profit Latchis Arts. For more information, visit latchis.com.