Columbus on Trial: Film Screening and Dialogue

Join the History Center’s Italian American Program and filmmakers Marylou & Jerome Bongiorno for a screening of their short fiction film, “Columbus on Trial,” which imagines the ghost of 15th century Genovese explorer Christopher Columbus being interrogated by the ghost of 18th century American political activist Elizabeth Willing Powel, a confidante of President George Washington.

The film is set in the 21st century and stimulates discussion over controversies surrounding Columbus’s voyages. It will be preceded by its short documentary prologue that explains the time period that Columbus lived in. After the screening, scholar Fred Gardaphé will discuss the film with a moderated audience Q&A to follow.