HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I—This spring, the Doris Duke Theatre joins
theaters across the country in screening films from Egypt, Iran, Lebanon,
Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, and Syria, as part of “The Seventh Art Stand,” a national
initiative that aims to challenge Islamophobia by encouraging theaters
nationwide to offer a platform for filmmakers from countries affected by the
U.S. government’s travel ban, otherwise known as the Muslim ban, signed Jan. 27.
“The museum’s
Doris Duke Theatre is part of a working group of art-house theaters across the
country dedicated to addressing equity and diversity issues in film. The
members of this group feel it is important to celebrate the films from these
countries as a way to promote cultural understanding and community dialogue
about tough, relevant issues,” says theater director Taylour Chang.
Each organization
is responsible for programming its own films. While many venues are still curating
their programs, so far the Doris Duke Theatre and New York’s famed experimental
film theater Anthology Film Archives are the only venues that have committed to
showing films from all seven countries named in the original ban.
The program will
also include live performances by artists from Syria. Saturday, May 27, Kevork
Mourad—a Syrian-born, New York–based artist of Armenian heritage—will paint
live on stage to the music of a Hawai‘i musician. The performance is presented
in collaboration with Shangri La, where Mourad will be an Artist in Residence
in April.
On June 3, the
series closes with a violin performance and talk by Mariela Shaker. Born in
Aleppo, Shaker was able to flee the war in 2013 when she was awarded a music
scholarship by Monmouth College in Illinois. “I feel powerless to change the
current tragedy ongoing in my country,” says Shaker. “However, I believe so
much in the power of music to remove barriers between people and nations.”
Confirmed films
The film
schedule is still being developed. In the meantime here are films that are
confirmed to be screened so far.
Egypt
In the Last
Days of the City
Iran
The Salesman
Under the
Shadow
Yemen
New Day on
Old Sana'a
Somalia
Fishing
without Nets
Iraq
The Dark
Wind
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About the Honolulu Museum of Art
One of the world’s premier art museums, the Honolulu Museum of Art
presents international caliber special exhibitions and features a
collection that includes Hokusai, van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet, Picasso and
Warhol, as well as traditional Asian and Hawaiian art.
Located in two of Honolulu’s most beautiful buildings, visitors enjoy
two cafés, gardens, and films and concerts at the theater. The museum is
dedicated to bringing together great art and people to create a more
harmonious, adaptable, and enjoyable society in Hawai’i.
Locations:
Honolulu Museum of Art: 900 S. Beretania Street
Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House: 2411 Makiki Heights Drive
Honolulu Museum of Art School: 1111 Victoria Street
Honolulu Museum of Art at First Hawaiian Center: 999 Bishop Street
Honolulu Museum of Art Doris Duke Theatre: 901 Kinau Street (at rear of museum)
Hours:
Honolulu Museum of Art: Tues–Sat 10 am–4:30pm; Sun 1–5 pm; closed Monday.
Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House: Tues–Sat 10am–4pm; Sun noon–4pm
Admission (permits entry to both museums on the same day):
$10 general admission; children 17 and under are free.
