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The College of The Bahamas :: Oakes Field :: P.O. Box N-4912 :: Nassau, The Bahamas
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Sidney Poitier International Conference & Film Festival,
A First for The College of The Bahamas
College of The Bahamas President Ms. Janyne M. Hodder [left] announcing the Sidney Poitier International Conference and Film Festival with her colleagues: Chair, School of English Studies, Dr. Marjorie Brooks-Jones [centre] and Conference Committee Chair and Associate Professor, English, Dr. Ian Strachan [right].
18 February 2010
Associate Professor of English at The College of The Bahamas Dr. Ian Strachan has urged a rediscovery of the relationship between celebrated actor, author and humanitarian Sir Sidney Poitier and The Bahamas, as The College prepares to host the Sidney Poitier International Conference and Film Festival, February 23-27.
Sir Sidney has been widely recognized not only for his groundbreaking contributions to the arts, but because many of his roles challenged pre-conceived notions about race, class and socio-economic status.
Appearing in more than 50 films, Sir Sidney - who grew up in Cat Island - set for himself standards of performance that were viewed as impossible for black actors at the time. Among his most distinguished achievements is an Academy award win in 1963 for his lead role in the film Lilies of the Field.
Dr. Strachan credited Sir Sidney with playing roles of dignity, intelligence, intensity and integrity.
"Our role as academics is not to glorify Sidney Poitier and not deal with the flaws. That is not what scholars do," said Dr. Strachan, Chair of the Conference Planning Committee. "Our work as scholars is to look and find the truth and, as with any artist or public figure, there is good and bad. So if you look at the papers that will be presented we are looking at the limitations of his career but also looking at the achievements as well."
"Bahamians need to rediscover and rethink their relationship with Sidney Poitier and we are only doing ourselves and future generations a disservice by refusing to embrace someone who has never denied us. I don't think he ever has and if you spoke to him today, I don't think he would."
In his books, Sir Sidney has recognized his Bahamian roots, outlining how his childhood in Cat Island was a critical part of his formative development before he moved to the United States. He authored the books: This Life; The Measure of a Man and Life Beyond Measure.
The Sidney Poitier Conference and Film Festival will allow scholars to explore and debate his achievements, contributions and legacy. International scholars as well as faculty from The College of The Bahamas will present a range of papers at the day sessions while in the evenings over 20 of Sir Sidney's films will be shown in total at various College of The Bahamas venues.
College of The Bahamas President Janyne Hodder hailed Sir Sidney as a talented artist, activist and humanitarian.
"His passion, his talent, his strength of purpose, his commitment to excellence and the depth of character behind every role he played would be reason enough to honour and study his work," she said. "But there is also more; Sidney Poitier is man who stands for deep and enduring values…Sidney Poitier has stood throughout his life for human rights, for freedom from oppression and for hope. This makes the man and the artist equally deserving of this conference's academic celebration."
Chair of the School of English Dr. Marjorie Brooks-Jones explained that hosting this kind of scholarly event is becoming a part of the tradition of The College of the Bahamas and the School of English Studies.
"We believe it is important work; tertiary institutions constantly do this kind of work and we would like to think that we are taking the lead in enhancing the standing of The College as an intellectual and cultural centre," she said.
In addition to The College of The Bahamas, the conference and film festival is also being sponsored by the Bahamas Telecommunications Company; the Ministry of Tourism; Cable Cares Foundation; GEMS Radio; Kerzner International and the Superclubs Breezes Resort.
Among the guest presenters are faculty from the University of Kansas, the University of Toronto, Boston College, University of Memphis and the College of The Bahamas.
Office of Communication
Tel: 302-4304
Email:communication@cob.edu.bs
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The College of The Bahamas
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