Image courtesy of the Alexandria Film Festival
Alexandria Film Festival to feature 'The Poppaw Queen'
In honor of Black History Month, the Alexandria Film Festival will present The Poppaw Queen, a historical documentary directed by Malachi Elijah Robinson that chronicles the story of Mary Queen and her descendants' historic fight for freedom.
Mary Queen, "The Poppaw Queen," was born in South America and illegally sold as an indentured servant in Maryland around 1715.
In 1796, some of Mary Queen's descendants petitioned for their freedom in the courts of Maryland, D.C. and the U.S. Supreme Court on the claim that she was born a free woman. Many recovered their freedom while others did not and remained enslaved, some of whom were sold to support Georgetown University in 1838.
The film honors her memory and explores the suppressed history of slavery in Maryland. A moderated Q&A with the film's director will follow the screening.
WHAT: The Poppaw Queen (90 mins) film screening followed by a Q&A with the film's director Malachi Elijah Robinson.
WHERE: The Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 21; doors open at 6 pm; film begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets ($15) are available at Eventive.com and at the door.
