Faculty Member Leads Discussion on Academy Award-Nominated Film

April 02, 2013

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. April 3, 2013 St. Josephs College (SJC) faculty member Thomas Petriano will host a discussion on the 2013 Oscar-nominated Palestinian film for Best Documentary Feature, 5 Broken Cameras, on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. The discussion and screening will take place at the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center (MAC), located in downtown Patchogue, as part of its ongoing Film Discussion Series.

Directed by Palestinian villager Emad Burnat and Israeli film director Guy Davidi, 5 Broken Cameras is the first Palestinian film to be nominated for an Oscar. The documentary simultaneously chronicles the growth of Burnat's son born in 2005, and the non-violent struggle of the people of the West Bank village of Bil'in against a separation wall that is encroaching on their land.

"The film, which was the collaborative effort of an Israeli and a Palestinian, tells a story that is meant to invite dialogue and understanding, both of which are essential elements in the peace-making process, said Thomas Petriano, professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at SJC. "This film offers an important perspective on a complex issue.

The Film Discussion Series at Plaza MAC has included discussions by SJC English and Writing Professor Thomas Grochowski for the Academy Award winner, Searching for Sugar Man and SJC English and American Studies Professor Peter Mascuch for the Academy Award winner, Amour.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $7 for students with a valid ID. For more information, visit www.plazamac.org. 

ABOUT PLAZA CINEMA & MEDIA ARTS CENTER
The Plaza Cinema and Media Arts Center is a non-profit public charity organization dedicated to bringing the magic and power of movies and filmmaking to the hearts and minds of the community. On a weekly basis, the Plaza provides the Patchogue community with current, quality independent films from around the world while offering special films for children and cultural programming such as broadcasts of operas and ballet from the world stage. Starting in 2013, the Plaza will be offering classes in screenwriting, editing and film production.