"Cry, the Beloved Country" (1995) was shown by the University Honors College Thursday night in the Auburn Student Center Ballroom.
"Cry, the Beloved Country," is based on a book by Alan Paton.
It was published in 1948, first released as a film in 1951, but remade in 1995.
"All three films in the Honors College fall film series are, first and foremost, wonderful films," said James Hansen, doctor of philosophy and director of the University Honors College.
Hansen said the movies are not only wonderful films, but also are beneficial in dealing with race relations.
"All three are also profound and moving films dealing with the basic human understanding necessary to promote the embracing of something or someone that may seem very different from ourselves but who, in truth, is not so different at all," Hansen said.
This movie deals with the apartheid in South Africa.
Before the 1940s, black South Africans and white South Africans lived their lives separate, but conditions were relatively stable.
Apartheid laws were first passed in 1948.
These laws caused tensions between the races to escalate and conditions for black South Africans started to deteriorate.
Apartheid, defined simply as racial segregation, remained a defining principle in South Africa until the early '90s.
Overtoun Jenda, who has a doctorate in philosophy, introduced the movie.
Jenda currently serves Auburn University as associate provost for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.
He has previously been a faculty member at the University of Malawi, University of Botswana and University of Kentucky.
Jenda said the movie was "extremely powerful."
In "Cry, the Beloved Country," Stephen Kumalo, a black South African pastor, travels to Johannesburg to the mines to search for his sister and son.
Upon finding out his son has killed the son of a white neighbor, James Jarvis, the story then concerns the struggle of two men separated by race but united by common sorrows.
Several students who attended the movie showing were moved by the story's message.
"I liked seeing the feelings between blacks and whites at that time in South Africa," said Eric Shaw, a freshman in pre-computer science. "For Stephen and James, there was struggle, but they were able to find common ground to bring them together."
Rebecca Duran, also a freshman, commented on the idea of forgiveness and unity as well.
"Once you put yourself in someone else's shoes, you can't help but accept them," Duran said. "When James Jarvis and Stephen Kumalo met there on the back porch, it all clicked. You are able to forgive once you understand one another."
Patience Essah, associate professor of history at Auburn University, and James Hansen, director of University Honors College, along with Jenda, held a discussion period with a few of the students following the movie.
Included in the discussion was detailed background about the history of South Africa as well as thought-provoking questions about the movie's content.
Hansen commented on a scene where Jarvis was mourning his son's death with a black South African, Ndela, who said of Arthur Jarvis, "He's the only man I've ever met, black or white, who saw me for what I am. What I really am. You can only see someone for who they really are when you know them and are not afraid."
The University Honors College showed this movie as the first in a series of three
The other two movies in the series to be shown include "To Kill a Mockingbird" on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. and "Prom Night in Mississippi" on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m.
"On the surface, all three films deal with racial relations, but at a deeper level they deal with the human heart and the kindness, consideration and just treatment we all desire and deserve," Hansen said.
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