by Tom Chambers
Staff Writer
Today the University of La Verne international/intercultural Film Series “How Does Our Garden Grow? Films About Diversity,” will show “The Hurricane” in La Fetra Auditorium from 7 to 10 p.m.
The series will last the remainder of the school year with a new film being shown on the first Friday of every month.
The films are introduced and picked by Catherine Henley-Erickson, a ULV professor of English and a film critic for The Claremont Courier. Each film will be followed with a 30-minute discussion on the diversity issues in the film.
“I try to pick films that will be entertaining for students, but challenging as well,” said Henley-Erickson.
Henley-Erickson, a ULV teacher since 1981, takes input from a variety of teachers and faculty when choosing the movies. The first movie “The Hurricane” was specifically picked to try and draw people in. Henley-Erickson said, “The Hurricane” was particularly right not only because of its popularity, but because it accurately addresses more than just one aspect of diversity. “The Hurricane” deals with one man’s fight against social injustice as well as racial injustice, and is based on a true story.
The Associated Students Federation (ASF) Forum, the Institute for Multicultural Research & Campus Diversity, and various others primarily fund the program. It was started by Henley-Erikson in 1992 after receiving an Irvine Faculty Diversity grant. What was previously “Popcorn and Politics,” has become what is now known as “How Does Our Garden Grow? Films About Diversity.”
“I have always loved film and been concerned with issues of diversity, both things just folded into each other,” said Henley-Erickson.
Henley-Erickson said she is happy with the program, but would like to see it grow. The main audience for the program is the ULV community, but Henley-Erickson would like to push it out into the community more. She advertises it at Hillcrest Retirement Homes and other small communities in La Verne.
She encourages any students, staff or faculty to provide input for the program. This includes the recommendation of movies. She can be reached at ext. 4352.
Previous films that have been a part of the series include “Lone Star,” “Mississippi Masala,” “Joy Luck Club” and “October Sky.”
