Provocative Ethics Film Series Launches Today at UM Gables Campus

Anyone up for some provocative movie-watching?

By UM News 02-13-2012

A trio of inspiring films will be screened starting today as part of the seventh Ethics Film Series, sponsored by the Adrienne Arsht and UM Ethics Programs, the School of Communication and the University of Miami Alumni Association. Discussions will follow, moderated by faculty experts and others.

On Monday, Feb. 13: Made in India – Winner of the Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2011 Florida Film Festival, it is the first documentary film to convey the complex journey of U.S. couples who have outsourced reproductive surrogacy to India. Juxtaposed scenes of the United States and India illuminate personal struggles, political conflicts, and myriad legal and ethical dilemmas. Moderated by director and co-producer Rebecca Haimowitz. In collaboration with UM's Program in Women's and Gender Studies.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28: Blood Coltan – The consumer desires of the Western World continue to be linked to the killing of innocent people. Here, the demand is for coltan, a mineral used in making cell phones and other electronics. Rebel militias in the Congo have recruited children to work in the mines while those in positions of power have the ear of Western importers. Moderated by Gina Maranto, from the Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. Presented as part of UM Ethics Programs' Eleventh Annual Environmental Ethics Symposium.

On Wednesday, March 7: Margin Call – Nominated for a 2011 Academy Award, this film captures a 36-hour period in a large investment bank during the financial meltdown on Wall Street in 2007 and 2008. It concentrates on the dilemmas and decisions of employees caught in the chaos of financial collapse. The cast includes Demi Moore, Kevin Spacy and Paul Bettany. Moderated by UM faculty.

Screenings take place at 6:15 p.m. at the Bill Cosford Cinema on the Coral Gables campus; snacks will be provided at 6 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public, alumni, students and the UM community. For more information, visit www.miami.edu/ethics or call 305-284-5926; visit www.com.miami.edu; or call 305-284-2872 or e-mail alumni@miami.edu.