In celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we will screen and discuss the film King in the Wilderness. This documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the last few years of his life, from the vital role he played in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to his assassination in 1968. Light refreshments will be provided and registration is recommended, but not required. Register below.

King in the Wilderness

2018; 115 min; Rated TV-14

King in the Wilderness chronicles the final chapters of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, revealing a conflicted leader who faced an onslaught of criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. While the Black Power movement saw his nonviolence as weakness, and President Lyndon B. Johnson saw his anti-Vietnam War speeches as irresponsible, Dr. King’s unyielding belief in peaceful protest became a testing point for a nation on the brink of chaos.

The documentary debuted at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and is directed by Peter Kunhardt. Drawing on conversations with those who knew Dr. King well, including many fellow members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), King in the Wilderness reveals stirring new perspectives on Dr. King’s character, his radical doctrine of nonviolence and his internal philosophical struggles prior to his assassination in 1968. The documentary also features archival footage, behind-the-scenes video of Dr. King’s private moments, intimate archival photographs and phone conversations recorded by President Johnson, who was both ally and adversary in King’s fight for civil rights.

Watch the Trailer

To further engage with the film and its lessons, visit the Kunhardt Foundation website. You will find interviews, lessons, and discussion questions.