News & Events

UNC Asheville Hosts Screening of "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo" with Actress Andie MacDowell

February 23, 2010

WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED -- UNC Asheville will host a screening of the Emmy-Award nominated documentary "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo" followed by a discussion with acclaimed actress Andie MacDowell at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, in UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. UNC Asheville students, who have examined the issues in class, will join MacDowell in the discussion. The event is sponsored by UNC Asheville's Office of the Provost, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, and Center for Diversity Education in conjunction with the Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Asheville, Hunter Automotive Group and MacDowell. The event is open to the public; donations will be accepted at the door to benefit OurVoice and Helpmate.

Shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo, "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo" explores the plight of women and girls caught in the crossfire as the African nation enters its second decade of civil war. Since 1998, more than 4 million people have died in the conflict and tens of thousands of women and girls have been kidnapped, raped and tortured. Emmy-winning filmmaker Lisa F. Jackson, herself a survivor of gang rape, traveled to the Congo and interviewed survivors, activists and two groups of rapists who are soldiers of the Congolese Army. The film also provides inspiring examples of resiliency, courage and grace, who serve as a call to action for audiences.

MacDowell, deeply moved by atrocities against women and children in the Congo, screened the film in her home to raise awareness amongst family and friends. Last year, she began hosting public screenings throughout Western North Carolina. Since moving to Asheville in 1998, MacDowell has been involved in a charitable and nonprofit work, while raising a family and continuing to make movies. She recently completed work on two films made for television.

 For more information about this event, call UNC Asheville's Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program at 828/251-6419.