Abina and the Important Men

Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Image from Abina and the Important Men of main character exclaiming "Freedom!"
The animated film Abina and the Important Men tells the true story of a brave young woman from late 1800s Africa who took a mighty risk in order to seek justice. An adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name, it is based on actual court transcripts of Abina's trial to hold her master accountable for enslaving her under colonial British rule, which had outlawed the institution of slavery. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Free.
Location: 
Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco
Directions: 
Sponsor: 
Documentary Film Institute, San Francisco Public Library, Kanopy
Contact: 
San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch
E-mail: 
Event extras: 

According to director Soumyaa K. Behrens, Abina was driven by the imagination of a future that did not yet exist. The film tries to embrace that imagination and expose her efforts toward a more just world.

Produced by the Documentary Film Institute at San Francisco State University, the characters in the film were cast from the community at San Francisco State.

Panelists

  • Trevor Getz, professor and chair, History Department, San Francisco State University; author, Abina and The Important Men graphic novel
  • Stacey Lynn Kertsman, dean of equity education and social impact, director of ACE center, Castilleja School
  • Robert Keith Collins, associate professor and chair, American Indian Studies Department, San Francisco State University
  • Soumyaa Behrens, director, Documentary Film Institute, San Francisco State University; director, Abina and the Important Men film

Links

Video