All Events
Cup of Culture
EVENT POSTPONED - Wadjda
EVENT POSTPONED
EVENT POSTPONED - NEW DATE TBD
Wadjda, directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, is a groundbreaking film and the first feature entirely shot in Saudi Arabia. It follows the story of a spirited 10-year-old girl in Riyadh who dreams of owning a green bicycle and defying cultural norms. The film took five years to complete due to numerous challenges, including Saudi Arabia's strict gender segregation laws. Al Mansour directed much of the movie from a van, using a monitor and walkie-talkie to communicate with her crew. Despite these difficulties, Wadjda not only highlights the struggles of Saudi women but also marks a historic milestone as the debut feature of Saudi Arabia's first female filmmaker. (1h 38m)
Directed by: Haifaa Al-Mansour
Produced by: Gerhard Meixner, Roman Paul
Guest Bio:
Haifaa Al Mansour is the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia. She studied comparative literature at the American University in Cairo. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Film Studies from the University of Sydney under the prestigious Endeavour Scholarship Award. She began her film directing career with three shorts, Who?, Bereavement of the Fledgling, and The Only Way Out, followed by her award-winning documentary Women Without Shadows. The success of her films around the world inspired a new movement of independent filmmaking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She is famous for penetrating the wall of silence surrounding the lives of Saudi women and providing a platform for their unheard voices. Her work is dedicated to fostering change for Arab women. Her first feature film, Wadjda, was developed within the pilot screenwriters lab that inaugurated the collaboration between TorinoFilmLab and the Dubai International Film Festival in 2009.
Black Flea Market
MCC Lounge/Lobby
Join us in honoring the richness of Black culture and history during our third annual Black Flea Market, brought to you by the MCC in collaboration with the Office of Black Student Development (OBSD). Celebrate Black History Month with an evening of FREE goodies, delicious food, talented Black creatives, entrepreneurs, and organizations on campus!
Co-Sponsor: OBSD
Cup of Culture
Missing From Fire Trail Road
MCC Theater
Missing From Fire Trail Road, directed by Sabrina Van Tassel, documents the detailed case of Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis, a Native American woman who disappeared in Washington in 2020. Since the investigation is at a standstill, her sisters and other tribal members set off to discover what happened to her. Mary Ellen’s story exposes how hundreds of Indigenous women continue to go missing in the United States, perpetuating trans-generational traumas.
Resilient Love
POSTPONED: Racial Justice and Restorative Justice in a Time of Awakening, Repair, and Reimagining
Fania Davis
EVENT POSTPONED
Hello, the UCSB RJP & MCC regret to inform you that the event with Dr. Fania Davis scheduled for February 20 is POSTPONED due to unforeseen circumstances. Thanks for your interest and registration. Please check back for a rescheduled date and we appreciate your support
Co-Sponsors: UCSB Restorative Justice Program, A.S. Finance Board and DEI Office, Office of Black Student Development, A.S. Black Women's Health Collaborative, and Gaucho Underground Scholars Program
