Philadelphia film lovers, mark the calendar. On Sunday, November 8, from 1 to 4 p.m., Barnes Cinema presents a special screening of Powwow People by Sky Hopinka at the Barnes Foundation, followed by a discussion and audience Q&A with the filmmaker himself.
Hopinka’s vérité-style documentary is a warm, immersive portrait of a powwow gathering, filmed with the patience and attentiveness that have made him one of the most acclaimed Indigenous artists and filmmakers working today. Rather than explaining the celebration from the outside, the camera settles into its rhythms: the drumming, the regalia, the reunions and the everyday moments of humor and care that hold a community together.
The screening is a rare chance to see the film with its maker in the room. After the credits roll, Hopinka joins the audience for a conversation about the work, his process and the stories behind the camera. The program also makes a perfect companion to a visit to the Barnes galleries, where Hopinka’s art has been drawing crowds this season.
Barnes Cinema programs pair the Barnes Foundation’s world-famous collection with films that expand how we see art, land and belonging. Seating for this Sunday matinee is limited, so Happy City News recommends reserving early and arriving with time to wander the galleries before the lights go down.
Photo: Thekohser, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
