Tomorrow is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday for reflection and service. If you planned to celebrate the holiday through film, perhaps the most obvious choice is to see Selma, which plays throughout DC (including at the Avalon and Mazza Gallerie theaters close to American). Reviews are spectacular, and squabbling over historical accuracy aside, it’s likely a must-see.
But there’s another option if you’re looking for something more educational and historical. On Monday at 1:45pm, the AFI Silver in Silver Spring will host a free screening of King: A Filmed Record, an epic three-hour documentary about Dr. King’s legacy from the Montgomery bus boycotts to his assassination in Memphis. Originally intended to be shown only once in 1970, the film is now considered a classic and one of the most significant documentaries of the civil rights movement.
We’re very excited to see so many relevant films being screened in DC for the weekend, especially given the unfortunate, racially tinged incidents of the past year. If you aren’t out volunteering or such tomorrow, consider stopping by a local theater to see either of these great films.
In case you miss King, we have a DVD copy in our collection (HU DVD 2801).