Community Conversations: The Vietnam War

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The week before millions of viewers watch the premiere of Ken Burns’ new landmark documentary, The Vietnam War, New Hampshire Humanities will partner with NH PBS to host a series of preview film screenings and facilitated discussions in five communities around the state during the week of September 10.

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s ten-part, 18-hour documentary series, THE VIETNAM WAR, tells an epic story of one of the most consequential, divisive, and controversial events in American history as it has never before been told on film. Visceral and immersive, the flm explores the human dimensions of the war through testimony of nearly 80 witnesses from all sides—Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it—as well as combatants and civilians from North and South Vietnam. The documentary series premieres on September 17th on NH PBS. View the trailer HERE!

Screenings will include trained facilitators to ensure a safe, welcoming, and inclusive conversation. Discussion guides and community resources will be available on nhptv.org/VietnamWar. One-hour previews and facilitated discussions will be held at the following locations (tickets must be obtained through each venue):

Sunday, Sept. 10, 1:00 pm, Red River Theatres, Concord
$12 per person. $10 for RRT members and military (with ID)
www.redrivertheatres.org

Sunday, Sept. 10, 2:00 pm, Currier Museum of Art, Manchester
$12 per person (screening only). $15 per person (screening & museum admission)
www.currier.org

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 6:00 pm, The Colonial Theatre, Keene (with the Historical Society of Cheshire County)
Free admission for veterans and their immediate families (with military ID). $10 per person. $5 students. 
www.thecolonial.org

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6:30 pm, The Flying Monkey, Plymouth
FREE admission
www.flyingmonkeynh.com

Thursday, Sept. 14, 7:00 pm, Rochester Opera House, Rochester
$10 general admission. $5 for military with ID.
www.rochesteroperahouse.com

Special screening with Vietnamese subtitles:
Friday, Sept. 15, 6:30 pm, Franklin Pierce University/Manchester
Free and open to the public. Contact New Hampshire Humanities at 224-4071 with questions.

“We’re delighted to be producing this series of community conversations in partnership with New Hampshire Humanities and many of the state’s vibrant cultural art and historical venues. We want as many people as possible to engage in this experience with us,” said Peter Frid, NHPTV President and CEO.

“Ken Burns’ documentary will be essential viewing,” said Deborah Watrous, Executive Director of New Hampshire Humanities. “It also may be a charged subject for those who lived and served during this turbulent time. We’re honored to work with NHPTV and local cultural partners to explore both timeless and particular themes raised in the film.”

The screenings are part of an ongoing statewide initiative. Throughout the coming year, NHPTV will assist the public in sharing personal stories about the Vietnam War and also offer more theater-style screenings, including a Vietnamese subtitled version of the film to be announced soon. New Hampshire Humanities will sponsor small group screenings and facilitated discussions, offer community grant opportunities over the coming year.