Cinema to play mockumentary

“CSA: The Confederate States of America,” a 2004 comedy mockumentary focused on one question — “What if the South won?” — will screen at 7 p.m.  at the IU Cinema.

Director Kevin Willmott’s film-within-a-film approach provides the viewer with a comedic perspective on what would have been the success of the Confederate army.

The film also details political and cultural events of the CSA and makes a point to illuminate the ever-present discrimination in American culture.

The film opens as what appears to be a British documentary airing on a Confederate network, with commercial breaks for fictional products and a disclaimer saying content may not be suitable for “servants” or young viewers.

Along with narration, the film includes television segments like “Runaways,” a slave-chasing program which parodies popular American police show “COPS.”

The film was well-received at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and gained a 78 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The screening is sponsored by The Black Film Center/Archive and the departments of English, history, American studies, communication and culture and African American and African diaspora studies.

Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.