Daughters of the Dust at MIT

Directed by Julie Dash
March 17, 2017 from 7:00 - 9:00pm*
MIT Campus Building E-15 Bartos Theater

At the dawn of the 20th century, a multi-generational family in the Gullah community on the Sea Islands off of South Carolina – former West African slaves who adopted many of their ancestors’ Yoruba traditions – struggle to maintain their cultural heritage and folklore while contemplating a migration to the mainland, even further from their roots.

The first wide release by a black female filmmaker, “Daughters of the Dust” was met with wild critical acclaim and rapturous audience response when it initially opened in 1991. Casting a long legacy, “Daughters of the Dust” still resonates today, most recently as a major in influence on Beyonce’s visual album “Lemonade.” This is a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the film’s original release.

Film to be followed by Q&A discussion with Sandy Alexandre, Professor of Literature at MIT.

*pizza served at 6:30pm