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Despite its close scrutiny of the breast cancer movement, Pink Ribbons, Inc. isn’t as caustic or alarmist as it could have been. The documentary’s central message—that Komen, Avon, and other groups are all wrong in approaching the cause with an emphasis on comfort and good cheer—easily could’ve been presented as an emotional screed. But instead, Léa Pool’s film is a deliberate and incisive case against big philanthropy’s coziness with corporate objectives. The target isn’t the camaraderie of Race for the Cure fundraisers—the average pink-clad walker is generally presented neutrally—it’s the fact that the movement has removed anger from the equation, because anger doesn’t go well with selling yogurt or sneakers or cars. As writer Barbara Ehrenreich, author Samantha King (whose 2006 book gave the film its title), and others point out in the film, breast cancer is an ugly thing, hope is just an illusion for many victims, and throwing hundreds of millions of dollars at a “cure” might not be as wise as putting more money into studying means of prevention. Those critiques won’t give anybody the warm fuzzies, but Pink Ribbons, Inc. certainly has the public interest firmly in its heart. See showtimes at E Street Cinema. (Joe Warminsky)
After the jump: photos from Kingston, humiliation, and Belgian beer.
VISUAL ARTS
Photographer Joshua Cogan traveled to Jamaica taking photos of people living in one of the world’s toughest neighborhoods, Kingston. Now, Cogan—-with guidance from Thievery Corporation’s Eric Hilton—-has put together “Heart of a Lion: The Streets of Kingston,” which opens tonight at Montserrat House. Hilton and the Yellow Fever team DJ; Blackwell Rum sponsors. If you stick around, you might run into Ziggy Marley, who’s scheduled to drop by after his show at Howard Theatre. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Montserrat House, 2016 9th St. NW. Free.
SCHADENFREUDE
If you’ve had a rough day, there’s no better way to blow off steam than laughing at other people’s humiliating mistakes. Tonight brings another edition of Mortified, the storytelling/comedy show that features real people sharing their most idiotic, reckless, foolish, and/or disgusting tales from teenhood in front of a room full of strangers. 7 p.m. at Town, 2009 8th St. NW. $12 in advance; $15 at door. 21-plus. Buy tickets at Eventbrite. Early arrival recommended.
EAT THIS
Belgian restaurant Et Voila! is kicking off the second annual Belgian Beer Festival today with Belgian beer flights, a beer dinner, and free beer tastings. From 5-7 p.m. every day through June 17, the restaurant will offer $4 Belgian beers with complimentary tasting of rare varieties. It’s also offering $15 flights to sample three different Belgian brews. Lastly, chef Claudio Pirollo is preparing a $65 five-course beer-infused menu tonight with dishes like poached halibut in Deus beer, braised rabbit with raspberry lambic beer reduction, and Hoegaarden ice cream. Et Voila!, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW; 202-337-2300; etvoiladc.com. (Jessica Sidman)
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