Coming soon to a Global Gifts store near you is a limited screening of the documentary “Black Gold: Wake Up and Smell the Coffee.” This critically acclaimed piece shows the viewer the $80 billion coffee industry juxtaposed against the struggles of coffee farmers in the birthplace of coffee: Ethiopia. “Black Gold” was an official selection of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and has been a huge success wherever it has roamed, which, incidentally, has not yet included U.S. theaters.

Directors Nick and Mark Frances were inspired to make a film about coffee after it was announced at the end of 2002 that Ethiopia was facing another famine. They wanted to remind us that a cup of coffee is not just a cup of coffee. It’s the livelihoods of the millions of people around the world who are struggling to survive. Certainly something to think about with each sip. From the beginning they “wanted to make a film which, while having a political purpose, was not overly polemic; a film which was observational — giving the viewer the opportunity to draw their own conclusions about what they are experiencing.”

Global Gifts presents two special showings, one at their Northside location at 1468 W. 86th St. on June 25 from 7-8:45 p.m. Fair trade Ethiopian coffee will be served along with fair trade chocolate deserts. The second showing will take place at The Old Centrum Theatre at 1201 N. Central on June 26 from 8-9:45 a.m. Fair trade Ethiopian coffee will be served along with a light breakfast. An opportunity for questions and discussion will follow the film at both locations. Come see the film that was powerfully reviewed by “Observer” as “Excellent — angry, good humored and essential.”  

RSVP to peggy.spohr@globalgiftsindy.com by June 22 if you would like to attend. For more information about this cup of a call to change, visit www.blackgoldmovie.com.