American Journeys: Easy Rider

American Journeys: Border Lines in American Life is the theme of a four-part film discussion series to be held at the Niobrara County Library. The series explores journeys from the margins and the mainstream of American Life through the lens of popular Hollywood film. Each of the movies and discussions will look at American journeys with equality and justice and the challenges of living in the margins of society and tradition. The film showings begin with a free meal and also include audience discussion lead by Deane Tucker, Professor of Humanities at Chadron State College.

The first film, Easy Rider will be shown at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 26. This 1969 film stars Dennis Hopper along with Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson and is also directed by Dennis Hopper. Young bikers, Billy and Wyatt stash money from their southern California dope sales in their gas-tank and take off on a cross country odyssey. Along the way they encounter bigotry and hatred by people who are afraid of their non-conformity.

Future films are In America, Saved and The Visitor.

This series is funded by the We the People Initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities and is sponsored in part by the Wyoming Humanities Council at 307-721-9243. The series will also be held in Cheyenne, Jackson and Sheridan. For more information contact the library at 334-3490.