cinema

The MSP Film Society proudly continues their social justice-themed screening and conversation series, “We The People: Required Watching,” with “MR. SOUL!,” a moving tribute to Ellis Haizlip’s groundbreaking television variety show “SOUL!,” which ran from 1968-1973 and offered an unfiltered, uncompromising celebration of Black literature, poetry, music, and politics. “MR. SOUL!,” opens in the MSP Film Society’s Virtual Cinema Friday, Aug. 28, and a Community Conversation on Monday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. will feature a discussion with director Melissa Haizlip about her father’s life and legacy. Additional panelists include Robin Hickman-Winfield, CEO of Soul Touch Productions and founder of the Gordon Parks Legacy Educational Experience at Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul; and playwright and educator Dawn Renee Jones. Register to join the conversation via Zoom or watch live or later on the MSP Film Society Facebook page.

The 8th Annual CINE LATINO Film Festival will return Oct. 15-22 as a virtual festival. The MSP Film Society presents another rich tapestry of award-winning films to both their base of global cinephiles and the growing Spanish-speaking populations throughout Minnesota, bringing us all together through a shared experience in the safety of our own homes.

For more info about these events and about what will be showing in their virtual cinema, visit, MSPfilm.org.

Casket Cinema gets literary with their next film, “Robert Bly: A Thousand Years of Joy.” “This thoughtful and lovely documentary is a biopic of one of Minnesota’s most loved poets. It was a crowd pleaser at the Minneapolis International Film Festival. The video covers a lot of ground to show the life of Bly, from a young man breaking out as an activist poet in the 1960’s, to his days as a well known translator, to his time galvanizing the men’s movement of the 80’s and 90’s. Special guests for this Casket will be Minnesota producer of the film, Dominic Howes and the artist Dougie Padilla, who knew Bly well in the men’s movement. They will talk with Casket Cinema Co-founder Mark Wojahn after the film.” More information on this film is available at robertblyfilm.com.

The screening will take place Thursday, Dec. 1, doors at 7:30 p.m. and film at 8 p.m., at the Casket Cinema, located in the art studio of Mark Wojahn, in the Casket Arts Building, 681 17th Ave. NE #145, in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. For more information call 612-781-5223. Donation of $5-$10 will go to pay the filmmaker. Bring friends and BYOB. Admission is usually by donation unless noted. Rsvp at www.facebook.com/groups/Casketcinema. Other upcoming screenings: Jan. 12: How Love Won, and Feb. 2: Ann Arbor Film Fest.

MSP Film Society upcoming events

Casket Cinema’s “Robert Bly: A Thousand Years of Joy”