Borders and Migrations Initiative Host Film Screening and Panel

By: Sydney Umstead, News Editor 

On Oct. 9 there was a screening of Green Border, a film about the Polish-Belarusian border through the eyes of refugees. 

The event took place in Science Hall Commons and was presented by the Canisius Borders and Migration Initiative. 

The Green Border film debuted in 2023 as a drama and is described as “A searing drama about a European refugee crisis that resonates with similar crises in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and yes, America’s southwestern border,” according to Godfrey Chesire, a film critique who has written pieces for The New York Times. 

The Borders and Migration Initiative was created in 2018 by Dr. Richard Reitsma, the faculty associate dean of Inclusion and Engagement. Furthermore, Reitsma has also created a YouTube channel and blog that showcases events that have been previously held at Canisius. They include a conversation with Reitsma and Gabriel Lopez of Homeboy Industries where they discuss Lopez’s past relationship with gang life and how his life has changed after Homeboy Industries. The blog also highlights the days of the upcoming events in the “In The News” section. 

There will be a panel with Green Border’s director, Agnieszka Holland on Oct. 16 at 2:30 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge. This event is free and open to the public, and if interested parties cannot make it in person, the flier contains a webinar link for people to attend virtually.