Middle of Nowhere (2012) Directed by Ava DuVernay September 20 - Friday - 6:30 p.m. The idea for Middle of Nowhere sparked while director and writer Ava DuVernay was working on Michael Mann’s Collateral. In her second narrative feature, DuVernay perceptively tackles the wide-ranging impact of the prisonindustrial complex on black communities. Centering on a woman’s struggle to come to emotional terms with her husband’s incarceration, Middle of Nowhere contemplates the challenges of maintaining a relationship and staying true to oneself. In the starring role as Ruby, Emayatzy Corinealdi was nominated for multiple awards, winning the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Performance. With this film, DuVernay won the Best Director Award at Sundance in 2012 and the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirits in 2013. Director Ava DuVernay is scheduled to be present. (2K DCP. 97 min. Rated R.) I Will Follow (2011) Additional screenings at the Black Film Center/Archive My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth about Women and Hip Hop (2010) (Digital. 42 min. Not Rated.) Directed by Ava DuVernay September 20 - Friday - 9:30 pm Ava DuVernay’s highly-acclaimed narrative feature debut, I Will Follow takes place during one day in the life of Maye (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) as she packs up the family home upon her aunt’s death. In this contemplative and lushly-shot drama, Maye encounters objects as well as people from her past, triggering memories and emotions that help her move forward. Roger Ebert called the film, “One of the best films I’ve seen about coming to terms with the death of a loved one.” I Will Follow underscores the beauty of the quotidian, highlighting DuVernay’s take on an innovative art cinema that tells black stories. Director Ava DuVernay is scheduled to be present. (2K DCP. 80 min. Not Rated.) 14 14 Ava DuVernay Directed by Ava DuVernay Wednesday - Sept. 11 - 7:00 p.m. Big Words (2013) Directed by Neil Drumming Wednesday - Sept. 18 - 7:00 p.m. (Digital. 93 min. Not Rated.) Tickets: (812) 855-1103