Morningside University

Morningside film series challenges assumptions and expands perspectives

Mark Munger

OverviewThe Spanish Film Festival uses documentary and animated storytelling to explore Latino identity, drag performance, and immigration experiences.Drag Invasion- Professor and festival coordinator Stacy Alex described Drag Invasion as a documentary about RuPaul’s drag queens touring Peru and receiving a warm welcome from audiences.- The film was selected in collaboration with a local Pride organization to highlight the diversity of drag and its role in belonging and community. Executive director Brian Meiland will introduce the screenings and discuss drag’s significance.- Screenings are October 20 in the UPS Auditorium and October 24 in the Klinger-Neal Theater.Home Is Somewhere Else- Home Is Somewhere Else is an animated documentary featuring three young people discussing mixed immigration status, family experiences, and deportation. Alex noted that animation gives the speakers agency while avoiding the retraumatization of showing their actual images.- Alex said the film’s multiple voices help communicate the breadth of immigration experiences and can prompt conversations among students and people working with young people.- Screenings are November 5 and 7 in the Klinger-Neal Theater.Festival Context- Alex described choosing many festival films to complement her curriculum, including units on Aztec culture and the Dominican Republic. Drag Invasion was a collaborative selection.- Alex expressed hope that the festival could return in a future year; no specific plans were established.Action ItemsThe meeting produced no action items.OutlineDrag Invasion- Documentary follows RuPaul’s drag queens on tour in Peru, where they encounter welcoming audiences.- Selected with input from a local Pride organization; Brian Meiland will introduce both screenings.- Discussion covered misconceptions about drag, its range of performance styles, and its role in creating community across diverse Latino identities.- Screenings: October 20 at the UPS Auditorium and October 24 at the Klinger-Neal Theater.Home Is Somewhere Else- Animated documentary presents three young people’s accounts of mixed immigration status, family, and deportation.- Alex highlighted the value of hearing multiple firsthand voices and the film’s relevance to people working with young people.- Screenings: November 5 and 7 at the Klinger-Neal Theater.Festival Selection- Alex said many selections connect to her Spanish curriculum, including units on Aztec culture and the Dominican Republic.- The festival provides opportunities for the community to learn about other cultures and expand perspectives.- Alex hopes the festival can happen again, but no future edition was confirmed.