Cincinnati World Cinema is proud to work with The Harriet Beecher Stowe House to present the premiere of SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER, depicting Cincinnati history that had national significance.
    Filmmakers and cast members will be in attendance for Q&A at both screenings, 4:00 and 7:00, Saturday March 23. Costumes and props from the production will be on display in the lobby.

Dateline: Cincinnati, Ohio, 1834...
    An 18-day public debate on slavery and abolition commenced, sponsored by students at Lane Theological Seminary, led by Theodore Weld.
    This was the first organized public debate on the topic in the United States.
    The Rev. Lyman Beecher was in attendance and the events would have a transformative impact on his daughter, Harriet Beecher (Stowe), moving her to write Uncle Tom's Cabin, which arguably changed the course of American history.
    A gag-order on the debate was imposed by City Fathers and the trustees of the Lane Seminary. Roughly one-half (60) Lane Seminary students rebelled, left Lane and transferred to Oberlin College.
    In addition to the discussion of slavery, the reaction to the event and the response to official censorship by the "Lane Rebels" raised another important issue that received nationwide attention — the right of free speech at institutions of higher learning.