Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN, UALR Public Radio/KUAR FM 89.1 host Community Cinema; free advance screening of 'Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story'
Posted 24 Feb 2011
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) and UALR Public Radio/KUAR FM 89.1 invite the public to a free screening of Me Facing Life: Cyntoias Story as part of Community Cinema Monday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. at Roosevelt Thompson Library in Little Rock.
Me Facing Life: Cyntoias Story, directed by Daniel H. Birman, is a hard-edged look into the troubled life of Nashvilles Cyntoia Brown, a young woman tried as a juvenile and currently serving a life sentence for a murder she committed at age 16.
Abandoned by her alcoholic and crack-addicted teenaged mother, Brown was passed around from caretaker to caretaker as an infant, and finally adopted into a family with a loving mother but tough father. Shaped by genetics, bad luck and bad choices, then 16-year-old Brown was a runaway forced into prostitution by an abusive, addict boyfriend. In August 2004, she was picked up by a 43-year-old man, went back to his home and, claiming she feared for her life, shot and killed him.
Filmed over the course of six years and featuring interviews with Brown, her family, doctors, psychologists, lawyers and others involved in her case, the filmmaker delves into Browns life in an attempt to answer a very basic question why? Heartbreaking and disturbing, Me Facing Life: Cyntoias Story pushes aside assumptions and reveals some important social issues that show that the norm can fail to help a child or prevent a tragedy.
The screening will be held in Roosevelt Thompson Library, 38 Rahling Circle off Chenal Parkway in Little Rock. More information is available by calling AETN at 800-662-2386 or visiting www.aetn.org/engage.
Following the screening, a community discussion with representatives from the Department of Criminal Justice at UALR and other organizations will be held. Me Facing Life: Cyntoias Story will air Wednesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. on AETN-3 PLUS/World and Sunday, March 27, at 12:30 p.m. on AETN-1.
Community Cinema, a free monthly screening series engaging communities through film produced by the Independent Television Service (ITVS), features monthly screenings followed by panel discussions with leading organizations, local communities and special guest speakers. The program is designed to help people learn about and get involved in the social issues raised in the documentaries.
The mission of UALR Public Radio is to deepen insight into the human experience, empower decision-making and enrich the lives of those we serve through quality news and cultural programs. UALR Public Radio operates two radio stations in Little RockKUAR FM 89.1, which broadcasts news, jazz and cultural programs including national programming from NPR, and KLRE 90.5, which broadcasts classical music.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansass statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit www.aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at www.aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).