Film festival to feature Spanish-language ‘Babe’

It was so nice, they’re doing it twice.

The second annual Austin Human Rights Commission Film Festival is set for this week, as the HRC will sponsor free movies at the Paramount Theatre May 10-12.

“We really felt good about what happened last year, so we’re looking forward to this year,” HRC chairwoman Kirsten Lindbloom said.

Lindbloom said more than 250 residents took part in last year’s film festival, which is why organizers are excited to bring even more films to the area.

The festival opens at 7 p.m. Thursday with “Burma VJ,” a documentary from Anders Ostergaard which uses footage recorded and smuggled out of Burma by average citizens during the Buddhist monk protests of 2007.

“As we are seeing more and more of our Karen population, we wanted to be able to provide some historical and recent history on Burma and also to bring awareness,” Lindbloom said. “We want to put a spotlight on Burma and give the community an opportunity to learn.”

“The First Grader,” a movie about education in Kenya, will take place at 7 p.m. Friday. The movie is based on the true story of Kimani Maruge, an 84-year-old man who decided to get an education and enroll in elementary school after the Kenyan government approved universal and free education in 2003.

“It’s the story of a retired-age man who’s taking advantage of a free education,” Lindbloom said.

The classic “Babe” will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles at 2 p.m. Saturday. Lindbloom said last year’s family film, “Shrek,” was the most well-attended movie and organizers hope “Babe” will draw a large crowd, as well.

The final festival film “Papers,” is a documentary about the controversial immigration issue. “Papers” shares stories from undocumented youth who turn 18 without legally becoming a U.S. citizen. The film claims more than 65,000 undocumented students graduate every year from high school without legal status and about 2 million undocumented children who were born outside the U.S. and raised in the country.

“Many of these children come here as toddlers and live their whole life in the U.S.,” Lindbloom said. “Then they face the realities of this undocumented world.”

“Papers” will be shown at 7 p.m. Saturday.

All movies are free of charge. Doors will open 30 minutes before showings.

SportsPlus

Mower County

100 years of serving: VFW Post 1216 to hold century celebration next weekend

Mower County

Assessment to gauge future approaches to health

Mower County

Statewide pheasant numbers similar to 2023

Mower County

Political campaign, advertisement signs not permitted on public highway rights of way

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Aug. 19-Sept. 2

Business

Tidal Wave Auto Spa partners with Autism Friendly Austin for annual Charity Day event

Agriculture

3rd graders to experience local farming at annual Day on the Farm event

Albert Lea

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Albert Lea to close next week

Mower County

Ikes hog roast fundraiser Wednesday

Mower County

Cedar Arts Fest features 17 artists, authors

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: St. Marks hosting variety show

News

Bringing back ‘bio supermarkets’: Program helps landowners restore vanished wetlands

News

Let the hues begin: Fall foliage colors coming to Minnesota in 3, 2, 1 …

News

Human remains believed to be hundreds of years old found on shores of Minnesota lake

News

A rare 1787 copy of the US Constitution is up for auction and it could be worth millions

News

Trump suggests tariffs can help solve rising child care costs in a major economic speech

News

Teen charged in Georgia school shooting and his father to stay in custody after hearings

News

Sluggish US jobs report clears the way for Federal Reserve to cut interest rates

News

Abortion rights questions are on ballots in 9 states. Will they tilt elections?

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Man gets prison time for weapons, drugs charges

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Austin man sentenced to five years for role in Albert Lea armed robbery

Business

Austin Utilities earns award for operational excellence