December 10 - 5:30-8PM

Trauma Healing Project, 631 E 19th Ave Bldg B, Eugene, OR

Opening Film: DARK and TENDER, Directed by Aaron Johnson - A powerful short film “Dark and Tender” follows ten Black men on a transformative retreat with the Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project outside Seattle, Washington. The men seek to reclaim platonic intimacy and tenderness through close encounters with nature and depictions of gentle Black masculinity, restoring the vital aspect of touch by replacing violence and rough play with care, connection, and intimacy.

Second Film: Dark and Tender: The New Island - In this second chapter of Aaron Johnson’s film “Dark and Tender”, ten Black men journey to the Big Island of Hawaii to workshop the touch and listening practices from the Chronically UnderTouched Project. Part cinéma vérité, part elucidated teaching, the film slows down with the men as they reclaim and rebuild platonic intimacy and trust. Holding space for each other, they shake off violent narratives of Black masculinity and seek to restore a vital and basic human need in their lives – tender touch.

Panel discussion facilitated by director, Aaron Johnson.

LIBERATION CINEMA 2026

Voices for Collective Healing