Movie drips and drabs for April

Ah, spring. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and spring cleaning is upon us.

While emptying the recycling bins here at Movies HQ, I found a few movie-related tidbits.

HopeDance magazine offers two more movies this month in its HopeDance FiLMs series.

First up is “Everything’s Cool”, a look at the history of global warming.
Filmmakers Daniel B. Gold and Judith Helfand examine the movement from the viewpoints of scientists, activists and politicians. Hear interviews with Bill McKibben, Ross Gelbspan and others.

“Everything’s Cool” will be screened at 7 p.m. Monday at the San Luis Obispo library, in San Luis Obispo. A $5 donation is encouraged.

On Wednesday, the film series takes a look at health care with “Cuba: An Accidental Revolution.”

The documentary, narrated by scientist/environmentalist David Suzuki, looks at the island nation’s surprisingly strong health care system.

It’s paired with the PBS documentary “Critical Care,” about U.S. health care.

Moviegoers are encouraged to donate $5 to $10.

“Cuba: An Accidental Revolution” and “Critical Care” play at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the San Luis Obispo library.

More information about both films is available at www.hopedance.org/.


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The Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo kicks off its new movie series on Wednesday with “Trainspotting.”

Palm Wednesdays will offer a different flick each Wednesday. The emphasis here is on cult classics: quirky comedies, action flicks and thrillers with a strong following among Generations X and Y.

Few movies fall into that category better than “Trainspotting,” Danny Boyles’ darkly comic look at the Edinburgh drug scene. It’s smart, slick and frequently pretty damn unsavory.

“Trainspotting” will screen at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.

Tickets are $7.50. You can also snag a six-movie pass for $35 — provided you buy it before Wednesday.

The series continues May 7 with the big-wave surfing documentary “Billabong Odyssey.” Check out the full list at www.thepalmtheatre.com/.

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The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival drew more than 7,500 moviegoers, organizers said this week, the “best ever” in the festival’s 14-year history.

About 12 percent came from outside the county, said Wendy Eidson, the film festival’s executive director.

Top events at the film festival, which ran March 7 to 16, included a train-themed opening night, an awards ceremony honoring “Easy Rider” star Peter Fonda and Surf Night, featuring a tribute to pioneer surf filmmaker Bud Browne.

This year, festival organizers introduced Western Night and the Hollywood and Vines series, which pairs movies with local wineries. They also added venues in Santa Margarita, Paso Robles and Shell Beach.

For more information, visit www.slofilmfest.org.

-- Sarah L.

Miss movies? Move on

The 14th annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is over.

Peter Fonda strode off stage Saturday night. The final credits of the final film flickered on Sunday afternoon. Executive director Wendy Eidson packed up the festival office earlier this week.

Only 363 days until the next film festival? What's a movielover to do?

For those who crave thoughtful cinema, there's HopeDance FiLMs, an ongoing, enlightening series of movies and events.

The journey starts tonight with "The Real Dirt on Farmer John," a look at farmer/actor/activist John Peterson.

That film will be screened at 7 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo City Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. A $5 donation is encouraged.

On Thursday, HopeDance FiLMs will screen "Sicko," Michael Moore's controversial documentary about the American health care system, as a fundraiser for Health Care for All.

Learn more at a question-and-answer series featuring representatives of Health Care for All. That free screening is 7 p.m. Thursday at the library; donations are encouraged.

Also playing this month:


"Subdivided: Isolation in Suburbia"
7 p.m., March 24
SLO Library

Filmmaker Dean Terry examines how suburban sprawl is changing the face of American neighborhoods, featuring commentary from "Bowling Alone" author Robert Putnam and James Howard Kunstler, who wrote "The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America's Man-Made Landscape." A discussion will follow the screening, for which a $5donation is suggested.


"Bill Hicks"
7 p.m. March 25
Honeymoon Cafe, 999 Price St., Pismo Beach

Celebrate the legacy of comedian Bill Hicks, who mixed outrageous humor with a passion for social justice. This documentary interviews his parents, David Letterman and other cohorts, while offering footage of Hicks' stand-up routines. A $10 donation includes finger foods, which will be served at 6:30 p.m.


"One Giant Leap"
7 p.m. March 26
2975 Vineyard Dr., Templeton

It's a new kind of music documentary. Learn about global music with Baaba Maal, Brian Eno and Michael Stipes, chat about philosophy with Anita Roddick and Tom Robbins, dance, listen and expand your mind. A donation of $5 is suggested.


The Reflecting Pool
6:30 p.m. March 27
Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St., San Luis Obispo

This new "investigative drama" challenges the official version of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Meet the film's producers, director and some of the stars at this special screening, which requires a $10 donation.

The film will be screened again at 7 p.m., March 31, at the library. A $5 donation is requested for that screening.

For more information on the above films, visit the HopeDance Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Movies on a smaller scale

February is a busy month for movie lovers.

We cram into theater after packed theater, eagerly absorbing the year’s best films in anticipation of that giant circus-cum-popularity contest known as the Oscars. By the actual awards ceremony rolls around, we can barely keep our glazed eyes open.

If you’re weary of big-budget bonanzas like “Atonement” and “There Will Be Blood,” try a few of SLO County’s less frenzied screenings.

No Joan Rivers. No Gucci. We promise.

On Wednesday, take a peak into the life of William Randolph Hearst.

The Cambria Film Society will screen "The Cat's Meow," about the newspaper magnate and silent film star Charlie Chaplin, vying for the affection of the same woman.

That screening is 7 p.m. at the Theatre at the Old Grammer School, 1350 Main St. in Cambria. Tickets are $3. Call 927-8190 to learn more.

Also on Wednesday, head to Templeton for a potluck dinner and HopeDance magazine’s screening of “Two Angry Moms.” The documentary chronicles Amy Kalafa and Susan Rubin’s mission to get school districts to serve fresh, healthy foods.

Dinner starts at 6 p.m. at Dancing Deer Ranch, 2975 Vineyard Drive in Templeton, followed by the movie at 7 p.m. A donation of $5 to $10 is suggested.

Sandra Dimond of North County Farmers Markets will hold a Q&A session following the screening.

Miss “Moms”? You can catch two more screenings on Friday, Feb. 25, at the San Luis Obispo Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.

Kim Pasciuto will speak at the 10 a.m. screening.

The panel for the 7 p.m. screening features Kathleen deChadenedes, director of SLOW Food of San Luis Obispo, Eric Michaelsson of Clark Valley Organic Farm in Los Osos, and Nature’s Touch owner Melanie Blankenship, among others.

A donation of $5 is suggested for both screenings.

Visit www.hopedance.org or call 544-9663 for details.

-- Sarah Linn

Movies that teach

This month, it’s time to learn a little.
Through HopeDance Magazine’s ongoing film series, moviegoers will follow locally grown food from the fields to the dinner table, learn about water rights, and explore the Mayan calendar.
The series kicks off Thursday with a screening of “Tableland,” a documentary about local growers, chefs, oyster farmers and bakers who treasure their Central Coast resources.
The event starts at 6 p.m. with dinner from Naked Food Live Cuisine, a raw food delivery service in San Luis Obispo, followed by the film at 7 p.m.
Afterward, there’s a talk by employees of HoneyMoon Café in Pismo Beach.
Tickets are $8 for dinner, or $25 for two people or $15 for one person for dinner and the movie.

December also features the following:

“Escape From Suburbia,” Dec. 10
Environmentally and socially savvy folks seek alternatives to the rampant materialism and waste plaguing today’s world.
The film is followed by a discussion with Cal Poly physics professors Peter Schwartz and Dave Hafemeister, plus Adam Hill, running for the county Board of Supervisors.
A $10 donation is suggested.

“A Drop of Life” and “Water: A Clear Solution,” Dec. 20
The first short film looks at how India and indigenous peoples deal with water, compared to the modern West. The second tackles water scarcity issues.
The event will feature a speaker from SLO Green Build discussing water conservation and sustainability practices.
Organizers suggest a $5 donation.

“In Between 2 Worlds,” Dec. 27
Ever wonder about the differences between the ancient Mayan calendar and the Gregorian calendar we use today?
Filmmaker José Jaramillo examines how measuring time can affect our psyche and our direction in the world. The Mayan scholar will speak at the screening.
A $10 donation is suggested.

All films will be screened at 7 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.
For more information, visit www.hopedance.org.

-- Sarah L.

Latino life at the movies

This month, HopeDance Magazine offers two perspectives on Latino life.
On Tuesday night, the magazine will screen “Cuba: An Accidental Revolution” at the San Luis Obispo Library.
The documentary shows Cuba making strides in education, health care, agriculture and free enterprise toward an independent, sustainable economy.
It’s narrated by David Suzuki, the scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster most recently featured in enviro-doc “The 11th Hour.”
Catch the two-part “Cuba: An Accidental Revolution” Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the library, 995 Palm Street in San Luis Obispo.
A donation of $5 is suggested.

HopeDance offers another documentary about social change next week.
“Made in L.A” follows three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles’ garment sweatshops. The film chronicles their struggle to win basic labor protections from a trendy clothing retailer.
According to the online Internet Movie Database, director Almudena Carracedo co-wrote the documentary and did extra duty as the 2007 film’s cinematographer, producer and editor.
“Made in L.A.” will be screened at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, at the San Luis Obispo library. Donations of $5 are encouraged.

For more information on both events, visit www.hopedance.org.

-- Sarah L.

Movies that make you think

Another month, another slew of socially progressive movies from HopeDance Magazine.
This September, HopeDance FiLMs focuses on subjects like crop circles, hallucinogens and Mexican factory workers. Central Coast cinephiles can expect movies with a conscience and a message.
The monthly film series starts Friday with “Hacking Democracy,” a documentary about vote-tampering and the flawed vote-counting machines used in the American electoral process.
The film will be shown at sunset in the parking lot of Utopia Bakery, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. Bring a chair and warm clothes and blankets.
Donations are encouraged.

The following is a brief rundown of this month’s HopeDance FiLMs:

Sept. 10
“Zeitgeist: Beyond 9/11”
A humorous look at God, money and the truth behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 7 p.m. San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo. $5 suggested donation.

Sept. 14
“The 11th Hour”
Leonardo DiCaprio narrates this documentary about the state of the global environment, and practical solutions for restoring our planet’s ecosystems. This HopeDance fundraiser includes a raffle. 7 p.m. Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St., SLO. $10.

Sept. 17
“Star Dreams”
A look at the art and mystery of crop circles. 7 p.m. SLO Library. $10.

Sept. 21
“Peace One Day”
Peace activist Jeremy Gilley works with the United Nations, world and religious leaders and ordinary citizens to declare a global Day of Peace. Sunset. Utopia Bakery. Donation suggested.

Sept. 22
“Maquilapolis”
Works struggle for survival in the massive sweatshops just across the Mexican border known as maquiladoras, often owned by the world’s largest corporations. 7 p.m. Steynberg Gallery, 1531 Monterey St., SLO. Free.

Sept. 28
“Entheogen: Awakening the Divine Within”
Documentary director Rod Mann will be on hand to speak about hallucinogens and the modern world. 7 p.m. SLO Library. $10.

For more information, visit HopeDance's Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Two inspirational tales

This month, HopeDance Magazine celebrates two social reformers with a strong will to succeed with the movies "Believe in Me" and "An Unreasonable Man."

"Believe in Me" follows a young coach whose hopes are dashed when he’s assigned to head the local girls’ basketball team in Oklahoma in the early 1960s.

With the help of his wife, the coach overcomes his doubts, battles prejudice against girls playing competitive sports and leads the ragtag team to the state championship.

The movie, which stars Jeffrey Donovan, Samantha Mathis and Bruce Dern, is based on the true story of Jim Keith, now a member of the Oklahoma High School Coaches Hall of Fame, and his Lady Cyclones.

"Believe in Me" will be screened Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, in San Luis Obispo. A donation of $10 is suggested.

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"An Unreasonable Man," to be screened on Wednesday, Aug. 29, highlights one of the most controversial figures of the past half-century Ralph Nader.

As the leader of the consumer advocacy movement, Nader went from a respected attorney responsible for historic health and safety laws to a maligned presidential candidate in 2000.

The film will be shown at 7 p.m. at the SLO Library. Donations of $5 are encouraged.

For more information on both films, check out HopeDance's Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Burning Man tonight

Every year, thousands of people head into Nevada’s Black Rock desert for eight days of art, fire, radical self-expression and exploration into the unknown.
The annual festival known as Burning Man is the subject of “Journey to the Flames,” a documentary being screened tonight by HopeDance Magazine.
In the film, director Doug Jacobsen follows a group of friends over eight years as they explore the wild world of the avant-garde artists, fire-breathers, free thinkers and musicians that populate Black Rock City.
Participants barter for goods instead of using money, travel in modified “art bikes” and “mutant vehicles,” and abide by a simple principle: leave no trace.

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Watch “Journey to the Flames” tonight at sunset at Utopia Bakery, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. The film will be screened outside on the wall of Staples, so bring a chair and warm clothes and blankets.
Donations are encouraged. For more information, visit HopeDance's Web site.

Sure to get your tummy grumbling

Feeling hungry?
This month, HopeDance Magazine caters to folks with a love of food and a taste for progressive politics.
Tonight, a panel of speaker discusses local food and farmers following a screening of “Deconstructing Supper,” about restaurateur Joseph Bishops’s search for regional, nutritious food.
Among the speakers is Katy Budge, author of The Tribune’s “Local Flavors” column.
Finger food will be provided by Central Coast businesses including Clark Valley Organic Farm, American Flatbread Pizza and SLO-town Creamery.
That event starts tonight at 6 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. A donation of $5 is suggested.

Later this month, the magazine screens “Slow Food Revolution” at American Flatbread Pizza in Los Alamos.
Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, followed by the film and a discussion led by HopeDance’s Bob Banner.
The menu features tuna confit and shell bean salad, pulled pork or potato-and-leek flatbread, and an apple tart with honey ice cream. Tickets are $25.
To make a reservation, call 344-4400. Learn more at American Flatbread's Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Movies that illuminate

Sick of summer blockbusters?
Local moviegoers can trade big-budget special effects for inspirational films about the bigger picture, thanks to HopeDance Magazine’s ongoing series.
This month, HopeDance FiLMs will screen “Living Luminaries,” “Sophie Scholl” and “Encounter Point” at the San Luis Obispo City County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.
All screenings are at 7 p.m.
The first film, “Living Luminaries: The Serious Business of Happiness,” plays tonight.
Featuring interviews with Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson and others, the documentary addresses questions about God, purpose and happiness from a religious and spiritual perspective. A $10 donation is suggested.
“Sophie Scholl: The Final Days,” which will be screened July 24 at 7 p.m., chronicles the final six days of Germany’s most famous World War II activist. The film follows Sophie Scholl, a member of anti-Nazi resistance group The White Rose, from her arrest to her interrogation by the Gestapo, her trial and sentence.
The 2005 film won several international awards and an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film.
“Sophie Scholl” will be screened July 24 at 7 p.m., with a suggested donation of $5 to $10.
On July 30, local filmgoers can explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the front lines with “Encounter Point.”
Among the subjects of the documentary are a former Israeli settler, a Palestinian ex-prisoner, a grieving Israeli mother and a wounded Palestinian brother. Together, they launch a grassroots movement for nonviolence and piece.
HopeDance encourages a $10 donation.

For more information, visit www.hopedance.org/.

The man, the myth ... Mozart!

With the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival only a few weeks away, it’s time to bone up on the life of one of the world’s most popular composers.
“In Search of Mozart,” a documentary about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will be screened tonight in San Luis Obispo — thanks to HopeDance Magazine.
Director Phil Grabsky’s documentary highlights Mozart’s human side, exploring money woes and family tiffs while following the Austrian native from his childhood as a budding musical genius to fame, fortune and failure as a popular composer.
Filmed on location in Europe, the film includes expert interviews, dramatic reenactments of events in Mozart’s life and selections from his finest works as interpreted by modern-day orchestras.
Catch “In Search of Mozart” tonight at 7 p.m. at the SLO City-County Library, 995 Palm St., in San Luis Obispo. A $10 donation is suggested.
-- Sarah L.

Month of movies starts with "God Grew Tired of Us"

Tired of the typical summer blockbusters?
Check out a fresh crop of HopeDance FiLMs, starting tonight with “God Grew Tired of Us.”
“God Grew Tired of Us” follows four young African men as they journey from war- and poverty-torn Sudan to a new life in America.
The documentary plays tonight at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $5.
On Friday and Saturday, HopeDance Magazine hosts the LOCALization FiLM Festival, featuring films about what it means to be truly local. They’ll be screened at the San Luis Obispo library.
The schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY, 7 p.m.
“A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash”
Attend the world premiere of this documentary about how our civilization’s addiction to oil could lead to a grim future. Made in Switzerland.

SATURDAY
2:30 p.m.
“Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop”
Director Hanson Hosein goes on the road to discover the struggle between mom-and-pop stores and big-box chains.
Adam Hill, who is running for the county Board of Supervisors, will speak.

4 p.m.
“Slow Food Revolution”
Learn about the worldwide movement to embrace fruit, vegetables, wine and other foods made the old-fashioned way. Slow Food was launched in Italy in response to Europe’s fast-food industry.
Local experts and the owner of Naked Food Live Cuisine will be on hand to answer questions and dish out a light dinner. Call today for a reservation: 550-2487.

6:30 p.m.
“Ourtown”
In this documentary, two mothers fight plans to bring Wal-Mart to their small Maine town. Tom Comar, of Atascadero’s Oppose Wal-Mart group, will speak.

8 p.m.
“Gordo”
This short film follows a Mexican immigrant who leaves his family’s popular taco stand for California.

8:30 p.m.
“Indies Under Fire”
This documentary examines the devastating impact of large bookstore chains on independent book sellers throughout the country. Jim Hill of Novel Experience Books will answer questions.

Tickets are $10 per film or $40 for the entire six-movie series. For more information, call 544-9663 or visit HopeDance’s Web site.

-- Sarah L.

Reels on wheels

How does SLO County celebrate National Bike Month? With a screening of the world’s best-ever bike movie, of course.
"Pee-wee's Big Adventure" will be shown tonight in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero in two free outdoor events.
Bike enthusiasts will meet at Atascadero's Sunken Garden at 6:30 p.m. for a children's parade and mixer before a 45-minute bike ride at 7:30 p.m. The movie will be shown at 8:30 p.m.
In San Luis Obispo, gather at Mission Plaza at 6:45 p.m. for a bike ride to Johnson Park at Southwood Drive and Augusta Street.
"Pee-wee's Big Adventure" will be screened at 8:30 p.m. on the wall of the YMCA, 1020 Southwood Drive, in SLO.
For more information, call 781-1385 or check out the Bike Month Web site.

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The fun continues next weekend with the BiKE FiLM Festival sponsored by HopeDance Magazine.
On May 17, bike lovers can meet at 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Utopia Bakery for a free outdoor screening of “Indecent Exposure to Cars: The Story of the World Naked Bike Ride.”
The bakery is at 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo.
Short films about bikes, created by local amateur movie makers, will be shown at 7 p.m., May 18, at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. The suggested donation is $5.
Come back to the library at 7 p.m., May 19, for two bike-related documentaries. “Contested Streets” looks at New York City’s crowded streets, while “Pedal” examines the unique subculture of that city’s bike messengers. Admission is $10, or $5 for bicyclists and pedestrians.

-- Sarah L.

Bikes and Buddhism

HopeDance Magazine returns in May with progressive-minded documentaries about bikes, Buddhism and biodiversity.
The film series kicks off today with "Manufactured Landscapes," Canadian filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal’s stunning look at humankind’s impact on the world around it.
The film, which starts at 7 p.m., follows photographer Edward Burtynsky as he documents the effects of industry and manufacturing on landscapes throughout the world. Tickets are $5.
All films will be shown at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.

Catch the following films this month:

MAY 14
"Words of My Perfect Teacher," 7 p.m.
Three students on a quest for wisdom seek out one of the world's most eminent Buddhist teachers. Cameos by Steven Seagal and Bernardo Bertolucci. $10.

MAY 18
Amateur Bike Shorts, 7 p.m.
Love bikes? HopeDance kicks off its BiKE FiLM Festival with an evening of short films by locals. As per festival rules, each film has a strong pro-bike or anti-car message and runs 10 minutes or less. $5.

MAY 19
"Contested Streets" and "Pedal," 7 p.m.
HopeDance's celebration of National Bike Month continues with these two reels-on-wheels. "Contested Streets" chronicles the evolution of New York City's busy, bustling streets, while "Pedal" looks at that city’s bike messengers. $10, $5 for bicyclists and folks on foot.

MAY 21
“Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton,” 7 p.m.
Filmmaker Morgan Atkinson brings insight to the spiritual journey of the well-known Trappist monk, theologian, author and activist. He’s set to speak after the screening. $10.

MAY 22
"Planet Earth: The Future," 6:30 p.m.
This companion series to The Discovery Channel’s eye-opening “Planet Earth” highlights the issues surrounding the conservation of Earth’s natural splendor. Donation requested.

MAY 25
"America: From Freedom to Fascism," 4:30 p.m.
Aaron Russo connects the creation of the Federal Reserve system to the loss of civil liberties in America in this documentary, also screened last month. Donation requested.

-- Sarah L.

Get in gear

Love bikes? Love movies?
HopeDance Magazine is looking for original short films to screen at its Bike Film Festival in May.
The movies should be 10 minutes long or less and promote a strong pro-bike or anti-car message.
According to the magazine, "We’re not looking for art here, just a good old propaganda that will move the audience to go home and set fire to their SUVs and Hummers."
HopeDance offers prizes for the top three films: $150 in cash, a $100 gift certificate to The ARTery in Atascadero and a $50 gift certificate to Wally’s Bicycle Works in San Luis Obispo.
Mail DVDs to HopeDance Magazine, P.O. Box 15069, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.
Submissions are due this Friday, April 20.

HopeDance’s National Bike Month event will run May 18 and 19, featuring the films "Contested Streets" and "Pedal," Peter Sullivan’s documentary about New York City bike messengers.
Organizers are also planning a “World Naked Bike Ride” on May 17, starting at the parking lot of Utopia European Bakery Cafe, 2900 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo.
Contact HopeDance Magazine at 544-9663 for more information.

-- Sarah L.

Hope and drama on film

Looking for movies that move you, change you and make you think?
Check out HopeDance Films, the local movie series sponsored by San Luis Obispo’s HopeDance Magazine, dedicated to environmental and social issues.
Each movie addresses a separate social issue and costs $7 or less.
The series continues tonight with at 7 p.m. with “Born Into Brothels,” the Oscar-winning documentary about the children of prostitutes in Calcutta’s notorious red light district. In the movie, filmmakers Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman teach the children to take photographs of their poverty-stricken surroundings, giving them hope of a better life.
“Born Into Brothels” is being screened in connection to Cal Poly’s Diversity Awareness Film Festival.
Like all films in the HopeDance series, the movie will be shown at the San Luis Obispo City-County Library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $5.

HopeDance Films continues this month with the following films:

FRIDAY
“Black Gold,” 7 p.m.
Filmmakers Nick and Marc Francis follow an Ethiopian coffee grower as he struggles to find fair trade in an industry dominated by multinational corporations. $7.

SATURDAY
“America: From Freedom to Fascism,” 7 p.m.
Aaron Russo connects the creation of the Federal Reserve system to the loss of civil liberties in America. $5.

APRIL 20
“Planet Earth,” 7 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day with parts one and two of the Discovery Channel series about our planet’s natural splendor and diversity, narrated by David Attenborough. Free.

APRIL 21
“Planet Earth,” 7 p.m.
The Earth Day celebration continues with parts three and four of “Planet Earth.” Free.

APRIL 27
“Dark Water Rising,” 7 p.m.
Filmmaker Mike Shiley, who wrote and directed the acclaimed documentary “Inside Iraq,” looks at volunteers’ efforts to rescue thousands of pets in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. $6

Learn more at HopeDance Magazine's Web site

- Sarah L.