Join us for a “Virtual Weekdays with CUGALA” talk on the award-winning film Moonlight (2016) by Barry Jenkins focusing on its portrayal of the intersectionality of LGBTQ+ peoples, African American communities, gender identities, and contemporary culture in the US. Led by Cornell alumna Nohemy Solórzano-Thompson, this discussion-based program will be held online on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 8 pm EDT and will focus on the film’s exploration of a young man’s journey of self-discovery through key moments of his life. Jenkins’ film follows the life of an African American male from South Florida negotiating his sexuality and identity amidst social change affecting his family, community, and LGBTQ+ rights in the US during the late twentieth and early twenty-first century.

Based on the unpublished memoir In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by author Tarell Alvin McCraney and combining autobiographical elements from McCrankey’s experience as a Black gay man, Moonlight portrays a rarely seen coming of age story about contemporary issues for the queer community writ large. The film Moonlight is currently streaming on Netflix and can be rented or bought through online vendors. We ask participants to watch the film prior to joining the discussion as not only will spoilers be discussed, but we will also encourage participants to talk about their reactions and comments about the film.

Discussion leader alumna Nohemy Solórzano-Thompson, BA 1996, MA 2002, PhD 2003, grew up in South Florida and has been a professor teaching courses on LGBTQ+ film, theory, and culture since 2003. She is currently an Associate Professor of Gender Studies and Film Studies at Westminster College of Salt Lake City.

THURSDAY, APRIL 30th
8:00PM ET – 9:30PM ET

ONLINE VIA ZOOM (LINK IN CONFIRMATION EMAIL)



For info on how to use Zoom, check out this link: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting-