Arendt, Kato documentaries play the Ross

Barbara Sukowa in "Hannah Arendt."
Barbara Sukowa in "Hannah Arendt."

Margarethe von Trotta's biopic focusing on the German-Jewish philosopher and political theorist "Hannah Arendt" and the documentary "Call Me Kuchu," about gay rights activism in Uganda, open today at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center. Both films are unrated and play through Aug. 22.

"Hannah Arendt" follows the title character's reporting for The New Yorker on the 1961 trial of ex-Nazi Adolf Eichmann. The work was controversial for Arendt's portrayal of Eichmann and the coining of the phrase, "banality of evil."

The film uses footage from the actual Eichmann trial, weaving a narrative that spans three countries.

"Hannah Arendt" was an official selection at the Toronto International and New York Jewish film festivals.

"Call Me Kuchu" is a documentary that follows David Kato, Uganda's first openly gay man, and activists as they work around the clock to defeat legislation that would make homosexuality punishable by death.

The documentary depicts the last year in the life of Kato, who was brutally murdered as the production was being filmed.

For more information, go to http://www.theross.org or call 402-472-5353.