free screening: a village called versailles, may 19

For those of you in Oakland, don't miss a free community screening of the award-winning documentary A Village Called Versailles, directed by S. Leo Chiang, this Wednesday, May 19 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The film follows the Vietnamese community's struggle in Versailles, New Orleans for a clean, healthy and just community. Here's a brief synopsis:

Welcome to Versailles, New Orleans - home to the densest ethnic Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam. For over 30 years, its residents lived a quiet existence on the edge of New Orleans. But then came Hurricane Katrina, the immense garbage piles and the shocking discovery of a toxic landfill planned in their neighborhood. Watch as they fight back, turning a devastating disaster into a catalyst for change and a chance to build a better future.

Here are some more details about Wednesday evening's screening:

A Village Called Versailles Screening

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Doors Open @ 6:00pm
Screening @ 6:30pm
Please note: the film is 1 hour.
This film is captioned.

Post-screening discussion will follow.

Oakland Asian Cultural Center
2nd floor of the Pacific Renaissance Plaza in Oakland's Chinatown
388 Ninth Street, Suite 290
(between Franklin and Webster)

Pay Parking is available underground in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza (enter on Webster or Franklin).
Street parking is also available.
Nearest BART stations are: 12th Street @ Broadway OR Lake Merritt

Screening is FREE and Open to the Public

For more information email sara_smith@itvs.org

Sandy Saeteurn from the Laotian Organizing Project will be speaking on the panel following the screening, drawing connections between the local Laotian community's struggle against Chevron's pollution in Richmond and the New Orleans Vietnamese community's fight against toxic landfills.

For more information about A Village Called Versailles, go to the film's website here. For more information about the screening, go here.