The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.

In this program, two films intersect at the crossroads of love and resistance. "Aikāne" and "Y SŴN" illustrate the spiritual connections that can be formed and the cultural ties that can be broken in the fight against political repression. Though artistically varied, both display the transformative power of commitment, be it to a person or a cause, iterating the fight for identity as a universal narrative. Join this evening screening, followed by a Q&A, and celebrate the indomitable spirit of humanity in its many facets.

Registration at the link below is required.
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"Aikāne" (dirs. Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, 2023)
A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. Everything changes when the octopus who rescues him transforms into a handsome young man.

"Y SŴN" (dir. Lee Haven Jones, 2023)
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher swept to power in 1979 with a manifesto that promised to establish a Welsh-language television channel. Months into her premiership, she reneged on her promise and sparked protests in Wales. Against a backdrop of civil disobedience, the iconic politician Gwynfor Evans vows to starve to death unless the government changes course. In "Y SŴN," one of the most colorful chapters of modern Welsh history is told in an imaginative and unique style.
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Accessibility at the Mother Tongue Film Festival:
All films are fully open captioned or subtitled in English. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for Q&As and discussions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.