A Cultural Events Board member high fives another volunteer prior to handing out free goodies and informational guides before a screening of “Sincerely Ethiopia” on Wednesday in the Old Main Chapel. (Bryan Borenstein/CU Independent)

Students and faculty gathered in Old Main Wednesday night to watch “Sincerely Ethiopia” presented by Cultural Events Board and the African Students’ Association. The film focused on Ethiopia’s struggles with education, health care, HIV and AIDS and other social issues.

Talia Halfon, a junior international affairs major and secretary of Cultural Events Board, said that, typically, Americans have a broad view of African culture.

“Society doesn’t specify that there are different countries in Africa and that there are different cultures everywhere,” Halfon said.

Halfon agreed with the film’s message on responsible aid. She said that Americans shouldn’t throw money at African countries and expect them to develop.

Many students and faculty said they went to the movie to see how society perceives Ethiopia. Valerie Crow, a finance specialist in CU’s Diversity and Equity department, said she enjoyed the film’s unique approach.

“I like how the movie was very down to earth,” Crow said. “It was more personal then seeing a journalist going into the villages and interviewing the people. The more personal way of filming the movie made me feel more connected to it.”

“Sincerely Ethiopia” producer, Hellen Kassa, attended the viewing . Kassa and her staff will be showing the film at over 40 colleges in the next four months.

Kassa said her movie is a good way to inform people and engage them in conversations that they wouldn’t otherwise have.

“Think about how many people in this room tonight will go to Africa and how many would not be able to go,” Kassa said. “The majority wont be able to go, but they still are able to watch the movie and engage in this topic.”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Alexandra Myers at Alexandra.myers@colorado.edu.