True (Short) Stories
- This is a past program
Summer Night Cinema is made possible by Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein.
A night of the best recent documentary shorts including films from Iran to Sierra Leone covering subjects as far reaching and intimate as the loss of a family member to the triumphs of preserving cultural memory. Films include: 14 Paintings, Alok, Ekbeh, Merman, Salone Love, The Smallest Power, Winding Path.
14 Paintings
A field study of 14 paintings from China’s Dafen village, as the government rebrands the copy-painting district as a hub for original art.
China, 2023, DCP, color, 24 min, Dir: Dongnan Chen
Alok
A compelling portrait of Alok, acclaimed nonbinary author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. Executive produced by Jodie Foster.
U.S., 2023, DCP, color, 19 min, Dir: Alex Hedison
Ekbeh
While learning to make gumbo, the creator shares personal stories about their grandparents as a way to honor and preserve their Indigenous history and life.
U.S., 2023, DCP, color, 87 min, Dir: Mariah Eli Hernandez-Fitch
Merman
A 58 year-old Black queer man speaks the truth about his life as an emergency nurse, leather enthusiast, husband, and civil rights advocate.
U.S., 2023, DCP, color, 11 min, Dir: Sterling Hampton IV
Salone Love
A scrapbook of opinions and advice about love in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone, 2023, DCP, color, 5 min, Dir: Tajana Tokyo
The Smallest Power
During the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising in Iran, in the aftermath of the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini, a medical resident finds her voice when the chaos in the streets comes to her hospital floor.
Iran, 2023, DCP, color, 6 min, Dir: Andy Sarjahani
Winding Path
Eastern Shoshone medical student Jenna Murray spent summers on the Wind River Indian Reservation helping her grandpa in any way she could. When he suddenly dies, she must find a way to heal before realizing her dream of a life in medicine.
U.S., 2023, DCP, color, 10 min, Dir: Alexandra Lazarowich, Ross Kauffman
ATTENDING THIS PROGRAM?
Ticketing: Admission is free. Your seat will be assigned to you when you pick up your ticket at the box office. Seats are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Box office opens one hour before the event.
Member Benefit: Subject to availability, Hammer Members can choose their preferred seats. Members receive priority ticketing until 15 minutes before the program. Learn more about membership.
Parking: Valet parking is available on Lindbrook Drive for $15 cash only. Self-parking is available under the museum. Rates are $8 for the first three hours with museum validation, and $3 for each additional 20 minutes, with a $22 daily maximum. There is an $8 flat rate after 6 p.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends.
Press: If you are a member of the press and are interested in attending and covering the program, please email the Hammer’s Senior PR Manager, Santiago Pazos, at spazos@hammer.ucla.edu for accommodations.
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