reForm invites you to a screening of the film: Millie & the Lords
Followed by conversation with the director, Jennica Carmona

Saturday, April 16th, 2016, 1:00PM.
reForm exhibition, Rm. B85
Tyler School of Art
2001 N. 13th St,
Philadelphia, PA 19122
This event is free. Please arrive early, as seating is limited.

Millie & the Lords is the story of Milagros Baez, a Puerto Rican woman in Spanish Harlem who longs for a different life.  While she spends her days and nights working at a local grocery market, she secretly fantasizes about going to college and becoming a writer.  But in her world, this is not a realistic goal. With no one on her side, she is resigned to living in the projects of El Barrio for the rest of her life. With no one to believe in her, Millie doesn’t even believe in herself.  

When Millie meets Mateo, a former Young Lord, her life is transformed. As he slowly shares with Millie all of his knowledge and experiences with the Puerto Rican revolutionary group,The Young Lords, she discovers an inner  strength and passion that she never knew was there. Mateo’s encouragement and belief in Millie give her a  new found sense of possibility, and little by little, her  life begins to change. Inspired by the model of the Young Lords Party, Millie  is able to overcome her fears and become the woman that she was meant to be.

Incorporating original presentations from the founding members of the Young Lords Party with a deeply emotional story written by Jennica Carmona, Millie and the Lords is an inspiring motion picture about one woman’s journey from isolation and helplessness to strength and empowerment.  Millie and the Lords incorporates documentary material and inventive cinematography that honors the legacy of the Young Lords Party.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNYr0lJqbS4&feature=youtu.be

This event is part of programming for reForm, a project by Pepón Osorio which responds to the 2013 budget-related closure of Fairhill School in North Philadelphia. Created in collaboration with former Fairhill students, families, and teachers, and Temple Contemporary.

Major support for reForm has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from the Surdna Foundation.

For info: info@reForm-Project.org, (267) 587-6580