“The United States of ALEC” to be screened at Overflow Coffee Bar February 19, 2013

On February 19, 2013, Overflow Coffee Bar will host a screening of the documentary film, United States of ALEC at 7 p.m.

“Have you ever seen the show Millionaire Matchmaker? The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has a similar mission but less style than Bravo’s Stanger. ALEC acts as a corporate dating service matching lonely legislators with corporate special interests,” this according to a post at the Overflow Coffee Bar’s blog.

The blog post goes on to say that “The American Legislative Exchange Council works like a political actions committee. They are a group of powerful corporations and politicians who presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. However, the documentary helps uncover the truth behind all of the hype, unveiling that the most influential corporate funded political force is only focused on increasing profits at the public’s expense.”

Representatives from the Illinois Chapter of Common Cause, a non-profit organization, will facilitate a post-film discussion. The mission of Common Cause is to make citizens’ voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest.

RSVP today at www.overflowusofalec.eventbrite.com.

Overflow has film screenings each month. A full calendar is located at Overflow’s Web site.

“The Price of Sugar” documentary screened September 27, 2012

Overflow Coffee Bar , 1550 S. State St., will be hosting a screening of the documentary film, The Price of Sugar, September 27, 2012 at 7 p.m. Suggested Donation: $7.

About the Film
In the Dominican Republic, a tropical island-nation, tourists flock to pristine beaches unaware that a few miles away, thousands of dispossessed Haitians have toiled under armed-guard on plantations harvesting sugarcane, much of which ends up in U.S. kitchens. They work grueling hours and frequently lack decent housing, clean water, electricity, education or healthcare. Narrated by Paul Newman, The Price of Sugar follows Father Christopher Hartley, a charismatic Spanish priest, as he organizes some of this hemisphere’s poorest people to fight for their basic human rights. This film raises key questions about where the products we consume originate and at what human cost they are produced.

Discussion Afterward
Representatives from Chicago Fair Trade will lead the discussion after the film.

Schedule
7:00 - Welcome and Introduction
7:10 - Film begins
8:40 - Film concludes. Bathroom and coffee break
8:50 - Discussion facilitated by Chicago Fair Trade

Transit/Parking
While Overflow encourages the use of public transit (Red Line, #29, #62 and other buses are close), limited parking is available in the rear of the building on a first come first served basis. Bring $3 for your spot. No one will be in the lot to take it. You can pay at the ticket check-in table.

Documentary Film Screening “Black Gold” at Overflow Coffee Bar

Overflow Coffee Bar, 1550 S. State St., will be hosting a screening of the documentary film, Black Gold, August 30, 2012 at 7 p.m. Suggested Donation: $3

About the Film
Multinational coffee companies rule shopping malls and supermarkets, and dominate the $80-billion-plus coffee industry. But, while Americans continue to pay for luxury lattes and cappuccinos, the prices paid to coffee farmers remain so low that many have been forced to abandon their fields. Black Gold tells the complex story behind an attempt to make globalization work for the producers of the second most valuable traded commodity for developing countries in the world.

Discussion Afterward
Tim Taylor, Overflow’s coffee roaster, will be on hand to lead discussion and share more information about the coffee industry and how it’s changed since this film premiered in 2007.

Schedule
7:00 - Pre-screening Networking.  Bring business cards and get to know the other people who’ll be watching the film.
7:30 - Welcome and Introduction.
7:40 - Film begins.
9:10 - Film concludes. Bathroom and coffee break.
9:20 - Discussion facilitated by Tim Taylor.

Transit/Parking
While Overflow encourages the use of public transit (Red Line, #29, #62 and other buses are close), limited parking is available in the rear of the building on a first come, first served basis. “Bring $3 for your spot. No one will be in the lot to take it. You can pay at the ticket check-in table.”

“Good Fortune” Screening at Overflow Coffee Bar March 22, 2012

Good Fortune is an award-winning documentary

Overflow Coffee Bar, 1550 S. State St., will be screening the acclaimed documentary Good Fortune on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (CT).

Good Fortune explores how massive, international efforts to alleviate poverty in Africa may be undermining the very communities they aim to benefit. Through intimate portraits of two Kenyans battling to save their homes from large-scale development organizations, the film presents a unique opportunity to experience foreign aid through the eyes of the people it is intended to benefit.

On the outskirts of Nairobi, Silva’s home and business in Africa’s largest squatter community are being demolished as part of a United Nations slum-upgrading project. In the rural countryside, Jackson’s farm is being flooded by an American investor who hopes to alleviate poverty by creating a multi-million dollar rice farm.

Interweaving meditative portraits of its characters, Good Fortune examines the real-world impact of international aid. With a broad scope and intimate style, the film portrays gripping stories of human perseverance and suggests that the answers for Africa lie in the resilience of its people.

7:00 - Pre-screening Networking. Bring business cards and get to know the other people who’ll be watching the film.
7:30 - Welcome and Introduction.
7:40 - Film begins.
8:53 - Film concludes. Bathroom and coffee break.
9:05 - Discussion.

While Overflow encourages the use of public transit (Red Line, #29, #62 and other buses are close), limited parking is available in the rear of the building on a first come first served basis. Bring $3 for your spot. No one will be in the lot to take it. You can pay at the ticket check-in table.

For additional information and to reserve your tickets, click here.