‘Living the Truth’ event brings Alice Walker, Pratibha Parmar to Sonoma

Award-winning filmmaker Pratibha Parmar and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker collaborated June 3 for the Living The Truth cinema event at Sebastiani Theatre. The day-long event — screenings, discussion, and music — was presented by the Sonoma International Film Festival in partnership with the Musea Center for Intentional Creativity®,

Parmar’s films focused on social justice and society, feminism and activism, as well as a chronicle of special guest Walker. The day’s films included historic perspectives from some of the most iconic African American women of arts, letters and activism including June Jordan, Angela Davis and Alice Walker in A Place of Rage; the cultural practice of female genital mutilation in Warrior Marks; and the life of Walker, author of The Color Purple, in Beauty in Truth. 

In addition to the film slate, Musea Center Curate Shiloh Sophia led conversations with Parmar and Walker prior to the films (above). Live music by Rashida Oji and Lillie Robinson provided entertainment during film interludes. 

Parmar added to her long list of accomplishments as the recipient of the SIFF | Musea Center 2023 Women In Film Award, and a $5,000 grant to further her creative pursuits. The award was presented by SIFF Executive Director Ginny Krieger, along with the grant provided by Musea Center Curate Shiloh Sophia.