Selma Nights – the reviews

We are thrilled at the response to our three preview screenings. All events were full – London and Newcastle sold out of tickets and had waiting lists. We raised enough funds to support some of our education projects in the forthcoming Newcastle pilot and to give Sheffield a healthy start to its pilot. Thanks to: Pathe Films, our volunteers, superb speakers and to everyone who supported us. Here’s some of the feedback:

London January 26 at the Charlotte Street Hotel

“The reason I liked this movie was because it opened my eyes to what Martin Luther did for the black community. It was definitely very inspirational, as he fought for the blacks’ rights in voting. He didn’t fail them. Martin Luther King changed history. He fought for what he believed in and didn’t stop until he got what he wanted. I would recommend this movie to everyone to learn” (Samira Hussein, student at George Mitchell School, Leyton)

“Selma, America in the 1960s is where lots of black people marched because they were treated unfairly. They stood up for their rights and did not give up until they got what they were protesting for, which was equality in voting with white people without needing to pass a test. After watching the film, I felt very uncomfortable and sad for the people who died, calmly protesting. However, I was happy to see them finally getting victory. They were all brave and continued to challenge the President. My favourite part was when King and his followers kept going back to march, their courage was astonishing and they even invited white people to join. I learnt a lot from the film, I know if I believe in something I shouldn’t give up no matter what the challenge is. I would recommend it to everyone in my school.” (Krusal Vara, student at George Mitchell and one of the speakers before the film)

“Thank you Journey to Justice for such a moving night – the speakers were amazing and my friend Issy and I want to be human rights lawyers now.” (Hannah Polden-Churchill)

Photography courtesy of Aziz Rahman

Sheffield January 31st 11am in the VOID lecture room, Sheffield Hallam University

“We heard you on the radio, Sir, talking about that Civil Rights film!”.

Over 80 people bravely bore the freezing temperatures to turn up for an exclusive preview screening of Selma to raise funds for Journey to Justice at Sheffield Hallam University. Amongst those present was Bruce Leng a Church minister who was on the 1963 March on Washington and heard Martin Luther King deliver his famous ‘I Have a dream ‘speech. Others were impressed with the portrayal of Martin Luther King by David Oyelowo and the intelligent way in which the story of the struggle for civil rights was told.

Mark Hutchinson, co-ordinator of the Sheffield Journey to Justice Project and Maxine Greaves, Engagement Officer for Communities at Hallam University thanked Pathe and Plan B Entertainment for the rights to screen the film. Further support came from Carrie Supple, director of Journey to Justice and Michael Gillender a senior researcher with JtJ.

Sheffield Live! and Radio Sheffield broadcast interviews with Mark – heard by some of his pupils who asked, ‘Can we see the film Sir and get some justice?”.

Newcastle January 31st 2pm at the Star and Shadow

‘It was a huge success , Professor Ward gave us a really good historical context and opening with a freedom song (Birmingham Sunday) was great – Bethany (Coyle, JtoJ’s North East co-ordinator) has such a beautiful voice. I wonder how often the Star and Shadow sees the likes of such a vibrant event? The audience appeared drained by the film it was so affective.’ (Lucy T)