Finding balance with the "IZUN/MIZAN" film and dialogue series

If the new Reese Witherspoon rom-com isn’t cutting it and you’re looking for films with some bite, you might want to check out IZUN/MIZAN. Plus you won’t be cursing yourself for wasting your hard-earned cash on a Reese Witherspoon movie (IZUN/MIZANis free, but please donate at the door if you can). The series is sponsored by several local organizations and will take place over a period of weeks at different venues in the Twin Cities.

Izun and Mizan both translate to “balance” in Hebrew and Arabic, respectively. The purpose of the film series is to find some balance when discussing the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and to do so in a thought-provoking and respectful way. After each film is screened, trained facilitators will lead a dialogue about the issues raised and how they relate to the conflict as a whole.

The series is designed for college students, interfaith communities, and anyone else interested in learning more about this extremely volatile issue. With the 2012 Presidential election quickly approaching and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict at the forefront of each candidate’s message, it’s as timely an event as ever. The selected films and the post-film discussions offer new perspectives not often seen on your favorite cable news network.

The first two films will be screened in cooperation with Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, The Islamic Center of Minnesota, Mount Zion Temple, and the Saint Paul Interfaith Network. Refreshments will be served.

My So Called Enemy, (http://mysocalledenemy.com/) Saturday, Feb 25, 2012, 7-9:30 p.m., at the Islamic Center of Minnesota, 1401 Gardenia Ave. NE, Fridley, MN 55432;

Precious Life, (http://www.preciouslifemovie.com/), Saturday, March 3, 2012, 7-9:30 p.m., Mount Zion Temple, 1300 Summit Ave. (at Hamline Ave.), St. Paul, MN 55105.

The second series will be taking place on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota (Nicholson Hall, Room #135, 216 Pillsbury Dr SE, Mpls, MN 55455) – and will be sponsored by the Departments of History, German, Scandinavian and Dutch, Gender and Women’s Studies and housed under the Center for Jewish Studies. Dinner will be provided at each of these screenings/discussions.

My So Called Enemy (http://mysocalledenemy.com/), Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, 5:30-8 p.m

City of Borders (http://cityofborders.com/), Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 5:30-8 p.m.

Precious Life (http://www.preciouslifemovie.com/), Thursday, April 19, 2012, 5:30-8 p.m.

If you’d like more information about IZUN/MIZAN: A Film and Dialogue Series, click here to check out the website.