Michael Davie Comes to Mesa Arts Center, 3/21

The 2011-2012 National Geographic Live Arizona Speaker Series, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, brings Filmmaker-Journalist, Michael Davie to Mesa Arts Center Wednesday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ikeda Theater. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Davie offers a personal look at his native Africa, a continent often misrepresented in the media. Featuring riveting film clips and extraordinary personal encounters, Davie's inspiring talks receive standing ovations globally. Tickets are available through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling 480-644-6500. 

As a filmmaker and journalist, Davie has been immersed in the violence and beauty of Africa-from civil war in Sierra Leone to the wildlife conflict in Virunga National Park, to prison choir competitions in Cape Town. But Davie's goal is not to trot out more tales of misery and hardship from a continent that many already consider "lost".  Davie aims to demystify the misconceptions about his homeland and in this presentation he draws together the most powerful and inspiring stories of Africans doing positive and courageous work to save lives and promote justice and equality. Where most sectors of the media focus on Africa's tragedies, Davie's stories are the ones you rarely hear - stories of triumph, hope and success, and contained within are lessons for us all. Richly embroidered with tales of adventure and extraordinary personal encounters this lecture will appeal to all those wanting to understand Africa today and its role in our future.  

Armed with a global perspective and a burning desire to unfold tough stories on the world stage, documentary filmmaker Michael Davie, is equally at home in front of the camera and behind it. Passionate about the craft of filmmaking he has spent fourteen years shooting, directing and reporting in documentary films for National Geographic Television, ABC and SBS (Australia), The Seven Network (Australia) HDNet, NBC, Channel Four (UK), PBS and CNN.