EVENT @ THE LITTLE
The Injured Body:
A Film About Racism in America
Premiere & Post-Screening Discussion
Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 11:00am
Little Theatre 1 (240 East Ave.)
Doors open at 10:30am
$23 Public | $20 Seniors & Students with ID
Tickets available online in advance, at our box office during open hours, or at the door (if tickets remain).
Featuring a post-film panel discussion with director Mara Ahmed. | Eight years in the making, The Injured Body finally arrives on screen. Shot and post-produced in Rochester, it weaves together the voices of 16 women rooted in local communities and the work of 10 dance artists and choreographers to create a powerful human story. Don’t miss its Rochester debut at The Little Theatre!
The Injured Body is a film about racism, resilience, and radical imagination.
It asks the question: how do we carry the weight of racism in our bodies, what does it mean for our mental and physical health, and how can we begin to heal?
It’s a visually striking and emotionally resonant documentary that delves into the everyday realities of racial microaggressions through candid conversations with 16 women of color. Inspired by Claudia Rankine’s groundbreaking book Citizen: An American Lyric, the film explores the complex intersections of race, gender, and identity in today’s America.
Shot across the changing seasons of Upstate New York by Rajesh Barnabas, The Injured Body features mesmerizing dance sequences primarily choreographed by Mariko Yamada. From vibrant costumes to a dynamic musical score, every element of the film invites the viewer into a rich sensory experience.
The Injured Body is a call to imagine a world beyond racist violence and to believe in the possibility of collective healing.
Join us for this much awaited film premiere followed by a thought-provoking discussion.
This project is partly funded by a grant from the Josephine and Paul Wenger Fund for Peace Through International Understanding (First Unitarian Church of Rochester) and fiscally sponsored by New York Women in Film & Television.
This event is run and organized by a third party, taking place at The Little. The Little is the venue, but not the organizer or programmer, for this event. Please note that Little Theatre discounts, passes, and member benefits do not apply.
Meet the Panelists
Mara Ahmed (Director)
Best known for her non-linear multimedia work, filmmaker Mara Ahmed produces documentaries, soundscapes, and artwork that trespass political borders and challenge colonial logics. Mara was born in Lahore and educated in Belgium, Pakistan, and the US. Her art practice reflects these displacements and multiplicities. She has directed and produced 5 films, including The Muslims I Know (2008), Pakistan One on One (2011), A Thin Wall (2015), and Return to Sender (2023) which was funded by a NYSCA grant. Her films have been broadcast on PBS and screened at international film festivals. Her websites are NeelumFilms.com and MaraAhmedStudio.com
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