SFA to show award-winning documentary, 'War Dance'

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - As part of its monthly film series, the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free one-night screening of the award-winning documentary "War Dance" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, located at 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches.

The film, directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine, was nominated for a 2008 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and won the Documentary Directing Award at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It focuses on three teenage members of the Acholi tribe who are living in a remote northern Ugandan refugee camp and are participating in the annual Kampala Music Festival.

Over the course of three months, the film's creative team observes the artists--a singer, a dancer and a xylophone player--as they prepare for the event and also share the horrors they have experienced as refugees.

In his review for the Los Angeles Times, Kenneth Tutan wrote that the 107-minute film "is as irresistible as the rhythms of African music on its soundtrack." It is rated PG-13.

"Our monthly film series has proven successful," said Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries. "And we appreciate Jeremy Barber and East Texas Videos for sponsoring this particular film. It should appeal to those interested in the arts and/or world affairs."

Any person or business interested in sponsoring future films can contact Cutler at (936) 468-1131.