History on Film: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories

History on Film: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories
1 & 3 PM

Join Newfields on Saturdays in March for a series of feature films in The Toby and DeBoest Lecture Hall to celebrate women who tell our stories—both fictional and real. Each film will be followed by an activity that highlights the form of storytelling our heroines embody. 

Saturdays, March 4, 11, & 18
The Tobias Theater at Newfields
Free for members and public
First come, first served, no ticket required
   
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Saturday, March 4 | Louisa May Alcott | The Toby 

Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Louisa May Alcott, is a coming-of-age story that follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg (Emma Watson), Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen), and Amy (Florence Pugh)—as they navigate the challenges of adulthood and must confront societal constraints placed on women in the years after the Civil War. At the heart of the story is Jo, a headstrong aspiring author, who reflects on her life and tells the story of her and her sisters, each determined to live life on her own terms. 

 

Join us after the film in The Toby lobby for a bookbinding activity with teaching artist Meredith Van Rooy beginning at 3 PM. 

1 PM | Little Women (2019, dir. Greta Gerwig, 135 mins., PG) 

3 PM | Bookbinding with Meredith Van Rooy 

   
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Saturday, March 11 | Mary Thompson (Te Ata) Fisher | DeBoest Lecture Hall

Te Ata (TAY' AH-TAH) is based on the inspiring, true story of Mary Thompson Fisher, a woman who traversed cultural barriers to become one of the greatest Native American performers of all time. Born to the Chickasaw Nation and raised on the songs and stories of her culture, Mary Frances faces obstacle after obstacle in her efforts to achieve her dream of becoming an actress on Broadway. Te Ata's journey to find her true calling led her through isolation, discovery, love and a stage career that culminated in performances for presidents and royalty. Yet of all the stories she shared with audiences, none were more inspiring than her own. 

Join us after the film in DeBoest Lecture Hall lobby for a storytelling activity beginning at 3 PM. 

 

1 PM |Te Ata (2019, dir. Nathan Frankowski, 105 mins., PG) 

3 PM | Storytelling activity 

   
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Saturday, March 18 | Aretha Franklin | The Toby 

Respect follows the rise of Aretha Franklin's life and career from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international stardom. Blessed with a lovely singing voice and powerful stage presence, Aretha learns the importance of finding her voice. She must confront her controlling father, who sees her more as a gospel singer, and abusive husband, to take matters into her own hands. She needs to summon the strength to take the chance of a lifetime—to sign the cover and rearrange Otis Redding's hit single “Respect”—and to finally find her signature sound to become the undisputed Queen of Soul. 

Join us after the film in The Toby lobby for song writing activity beginning at 3 PM. 

 

1 PM | Respect (2021, dir. Liesl Tommy, 145 mins., R) 

3 PM | Song-writing activity 

   

 

 

Little Women, 2019. Directed by Greta Gerwig. © Columbia Pictures. 

Te Ata, 2019. Directed by Nathan Frankowski. © Chickasaw Nation Productions.

Respect, 2021. Directed by Liesl Tommy. © MGM / United Artists Releasing / Photofest.