This Saturday, July 6, the ArgusFest film series will present the documentary at the Mercury Cafe, along with a live performance by Kinky Mink.
See also: - Jason Bosch: A MasterMind takes his show on the road - 100 Colorado Creatives: Feminism & Co. co-curator Elissa Auther - Peaches on Pussy Riot: "If I lived in Russia, that could've been me."
ArgusFest, a Westword MasterMind winner, gives a platform to films that spotlight global issues. A Punk Prayer focuses on the personal ramifications this group of Russian activists have been dealing with since their demonstration again the government almost eighteen months ago. "I came across this film and there's been a lot of interest in this subject," says Jason Bosch, ArgusFest's organizer. "I typically try to pick topics that are current events, things that are going on at present -- we show films on human rights, environmental issues, social justice issues."
With two of the three members arrested still in jail -- Pussy Riot is a collective made up of many more members; three women were taken to jail after this particular performance -- all eyes are on President Vladimir Putin as a circus of court hearings continues to delay the women's release.
Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer delves into the group's formation -- which started the day Putin returned to power -- and how, after a series of similar acts of public defiance went unseen by the international community, Pussy Riot's "punk prayer" performance unknowingly pushed them to spearhead a movement toward free speech.
A discussion will follow the screening, as well as a performance by Kinky Mink, a self-described "lounge-metal" act made up of local musicians: vocalist Nancy Stohlman, pianist Nick Busheff and percussionist Rory Reagan.
Saturday night's film and performance begin at 7 p.m. at the Mercury Cafe. The ArgusFest event is on a pay-what-you-can basis; Bosch emphasizes that no one will be turned away, but donations are always accepted. For more information, visit the event's Facebook page.
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