Pacific Index

Exclusive film screening honors Black History Month

   In recognition of Black History Month, students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend an exclusive pre-premiere screening of The Unrooted Bloom, a powerful documentary that explores identity, ancestry, and cultural resilience. The event will take place on February 27 from 6–8 pm in McGill Auditorium on the Forest Grove campus, followed by a facilitated discussion and extended conversation with the film’s director and lead actor.

   “We are honored to host an exclusive pre-premiere screening of The Unrooted Bloom on the Forest Grove campus,” said Dr. Pierre Morton, the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Chief Diversity Officer here at Pacific University. The film will premiere worldwide later this March, making this screening a rare opportunity for students to experience the documentary before its official public release.

   The event aims to encourage reflection and meaningful dialogue about history, identity, and culture during a time when many marginalized histories are under increasing threat. African American history, Native American history, Indigenous history, Hawaiian history, Latinx history, and Jewish history, among others, continue to face challenges through erasure, defunding, and book banning. 

   Dr. Morton emphasized the importance of preserving these narratives, stating, “This event will explore what it means to take hold of our history, our ancestry, our cultures and the cultures of others as a protective mechanism for our souls. This is in honor of Black History Month, which is American history.” 

   The film raises critical questions that resonate deeply in today’s social climate: How do we define ourselves in a world that often tells us we are not worthy? What do our roots reveal about who we are and where we come from? How can individuals honor their heritage while creating space to reimagine who they are becoming? By examining these themes, the documentary invites viewers to sit with complexity and embrace the value of living in the “gray.”

   The film is directed and produced by award-winning documentarian Cassidy Friedman and stars Amber Allen-Friesen, both who will attend the screening and participate in the post-film discussion. Students may remember Friedman and Allen-Friesen from their visit to campus two years ago, when they led a workshop focused on film’s impact on social issues. The Unrooted Bloom is the project they were developing during that earlier visit, offering students a unique opportunity to see how their ideas evolved into a completed documentary.

   Following the 70-minute screening, attendees will take part in a facilitated discussion with Friedman and Allen-Friesen that will explore the film’s themes, creative process, and broader cultural relevance. In addition, the filmmakers have generously offered to remain for an extra hour to connect directly with students in film, theater, music, and media arts programs. During this extended session, they will discuss the technical aspects of documentary filmmaking, creative development, and navigating the entertainment industry from a professional, Hollywood perspective.

   Food will be provided, and all costs for the event have been covered by the hosting office, making the screening free and accessible to all students. Organizers hope the event will not only celebrate Black History Month, but also foster dialogue, empathy, and deeper understanding across cultures.