**This event has now been cancelled owing to a family emergency**
Tom Hanks’ new movie, Captain Phillips, is based on the real life hijacking of an American cargo ship by Somali pirates. But how true is this true story?
Now filmgoers can find out. After the 6pm screening of the high seas adventure at City Screen, an expert on Somalia will talk about the country and answer questions from the audience.
Kathryn Rzeszut, from the post-war reconstruction and development unit at York University has recently returned from Somalia.
“Piracy is often the first thing that comes to mind when Somalia is mentioned, but it is only one aspect of incredibly complex dynamics arising from years of conflict and weak governance,” she said.
City Screen marketing manager Dave Taylor said Captain Phillips has thrilled cinema audience and been a great box office success.
“Yet, with all Hollywood movies, it is difficult to determine how much is fact and how much is a fictionalised account.
“I’m pleased to be able to offer customers of City Screen the chance to learn more about the background to the conflict in Somalia, and first-hand information of how the country is faring at its attempts to emerge from years of civil war, sectarian conflict, and humanitarian crises.”
- To book tickets, go to the City Screen website
- More about the post-war reconstruction and development unit here