Update to Amistad

The film will be briefly introduced by Charles A. Weisenberger, Mellon postdoctoral fellow in Public History at Wesleyan University, specializing in African-American history, slavery, and abolition in the early United States. He will provide the historical context for the film and Connecticut's history of slavery and abolitionism. The Buttonwood Tree doors will open at 6, and after Profesor Nasta's introduction we will begin the film at 6:30. The film is 2 hours and 30 minutes, and will end at approximately 9 p.m. Refreshments will be available to buy. The event is free.

The film Amistad (1997) was directed by Steven Spielberg and features Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne, Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, and Djimon Hounsou in an Oscar-nominated performance. The film won Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Original Score, Cinematography, and Costume Design.

The Buttonwood Tree is showing this film to participate in the Amistad Journey to Freedom Community Day Celebration,  "The Middle Passage and the Amistad Uprising: Stories of Yesterday and Today" on October 8th at Harbor Park when the Amistad ship will be open for tours. The Buttonwood Tree will also table at the event which will feature Iddi Saaka, The Lost Tribe, words from the Wangunks, and the 4th Annual Middletown Middle Passage Ceremony.