UC Merced to hold 4th annual film series

UC Merced will hold its Human Rights Film Series in February with films about people in Afghanistan, South Africa, the Arab world and Ecuador.

The films are free and open to the public.

The event is sponsored by the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, the Center for Research in the Humanities and Arts, Office of Student Life and Amnesty International at UC Merced. The first film, "Afghan Star," will be shown at 7 p.m. Friday in the California Room in Terrace Center at UC Merced. It follows four singers risking their lives to compete in the country's version of "American Idol."

"Tapologo," about South African women who have turned their tragedy into a tool, will be shown at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the California Room.

"Veiled Voices," about women redefining their role as leaders in Islam, will be shown at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 in the California Room. The filmmaker, Brigid Maher, will be on hand.

"Crude," the inside story of the Amazon Chernobyl incident in Ecuador, will be played at 7 p.m. Feb. 26.

For more information, contact Robin DeLugan at (209) 228-4032 or by e-mail at rdelugan@ucmerced.edu.