USU Museum of Anthropology: 'Stealing Culture'

Utah State University’s Museum of Anthropology steps away from its normal venue to offer visitors a chance to view two critically acclaimed films about stealing culture. The films are shown as part of the museum’s Saturdays at the Museum series and are screened in USU’s Old Main, Room 115. The films can be seen Saturday, March 31.

The films, based on real stories from the early 20th century, document the brutality of intellectual barbarianism and the enduring resistance it creates in the hearts of the victimized, the museum’s event organizers said. Rabbit Proof Fence (2002), the story of an Aboriginal girl who struggles to return to her family, will be shown at 11 a.m., followed at 1 p.m. by John Frankenheimer’s The Train (1964), which highlights the theft of priceless art by German soldiers.

Michael Marino, who received his bachelor’s in film and media studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara and currently an MFA student at Antioch University in Los Angeles, will introduce each film and lead a critical discussion of the works.

Popcorn and refreshments will be served during intermission.

“We often take our culture, our traditions, and our way of life for granted,” said Museum of Anthropology Curator Elizabeth Sutton. “It’s only when we are threatened with their loss that we understand their importance and their value and go to extraordinary lengths to protect them.

“These films, based on true stories, document amazing actions real people have taken when outside forces have stolen their culture.”

Please note that the films are not shown at the museum’s location but in OM 115.

Community members and USU students alike can visit the museum during its operating hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Funding for the Saturday events is provided by a grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online.

The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Admission is free. For Saturday activities, free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building.

For more information about museum events, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum website.

The Museum of Anthropology is part of the Anthropology Program at USU in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Related links:

USU Anthropology Program 

USU Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology

USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Source: Museum of Anthropology

Contact: USU Museum of Anthropology, (435) 797-7545, anthro.museum@usu.edu