Black Art/Independent Films

[loyola llothta]

New in Theaters: Acclaimed Doc 'Death Metal Angola' (The Hardest Hardcore Is Angolan Hardcore)

Starting today, The Vladar Company - an independent motion picture and entertainment studio - opens the critically acclaimed feature documentary "Death Metal Angola," from director Jeremy Xido ("The Machinist"), produced by Joseph Castelo ("The War Within"), with Vlad Yudin and Edwin Mejia exec producing.

The film is now in a limited theatrical release in New York & Los Angeles, and will be available on iTunes on November 21.

The film first caught our attention when it screened at DOC NYC - New York’s premier documentary festival - in 2013.

The short version of the story, goes... Following nearly 40 years of unrelenting war, peace and reconstruction are slowly arriving to Angola. Damaged first by the war for independence from Portugal, Angola was then ripped apart by a devastating civil war that orphaned thousands of children. Huambo, Angola’s second largest city, finds 55 of these children in the Okutiuka orphanage under the care of Sonia Ferreira. Sonia’s boyfriend, Wilker Flores, is a death metal guitarist who uses sounds and rhythms of this hardcore music as a path to healing. Or, as Sonia says, “to clear out the debris from all these years of war.”

The feature documentary follows Wilker and Sonia’s attempts to stage Angola’s first-ever national rock concert, bringing together members from different strands of the Angolan hardcore scene from different provinces, as it all unfolds in fits and starts, against the bombed out and mined backdrop of the formerly stately Huambo.

This will be the second release for The Vladar Company - the first being "Generation Iron" (another film profiled on this blog) directed by Vlad Yudin, which was one of the top 5 highest grossing documentaries in the US, for 2013. The acquisition of "Death Metal Angola" further solidifies them as an up and coming studio for documentaries. The Vladar Company is also expanding in digital distribution, working with iTunes and Netflix, and more.

The lauded documentary traveled the international film festival circuit, winning over audiences and critics along the way, and now more of you will be able to see it, starting today, November 7, 2014.

Check out the trailer below:

 

[loyola llothta]

'Stones In The Sun'
.......

“Stones in the river cannot know the problem of stones in the sun."

A film we've been covering since late 2012, finally opens, although in a limited theatrical release, today (check your local listings)...



It’s seldom we get to see authentic, complex and tactful character representations from the West Indies on the screen, especially in cinema. In her compelling and heartfelt feature film debut, Haitian filmmaker Patricia Benoit follows three Haitian immigrant families seeking refuge in Brooklyn NY from the sociopolitical upheaval surrounding them in their native country during the 1980’s.

Benoit – who also wrote the screenplay - has crafted a movingly poignant and observant film in "Stones in the Sun."

The finely interwoven stories – all three ultimately linked - begin with Gerald (a superb performance by Thierry Saintine), who is also at the center of the narrative. He is the impassioned host of the anti-Haitian government show “Drums of the people”. What’s fascinating about his story is that, aside from his close involvement in the sociopolitical matters of his native country, he has acclimated himself to a new life in an upscale Brooklyn apartment with his pregnant, white wife. Yet, his heart and soul remains with Haiti and its people. The couple's story - much like the other two in the film - is paced just right, evoking a sense of intrigue and unpredictability. It begins to unravel when his wife welcomes Gerald’s father – to his son’s chagrin - who has unexpectedly showed up from Haiti, at their doorstep.

What’s also fantastic about watching this film is how penetrable it becomes; you get the feeling that you are taking this journey alongside these characters. Riva, played by newcomer Patricia Rhinvil, in a gripping film acting debut, travels to Brooklyn to join her husband, a cab driver. The story of this genuinely loving couple is endearing to watch. In one tender scene, Riva is bathing her husband in a tub, as she is confronted with her own psychological devastation caused by atrocities in her homeland. One of the elements that I appreciated most was her husband’s patience. It’s unfortunate that many of us are almost programmed to “assume” (you know the saying) how a husband would react in certain situations. A lesson of love is learned in this case. As Riva also struggles to adjust to living in the city, when we later find out the reasons behind her inner turmoil, the results are heartrending, yet inspiring.

Edwidge Danticat delivers another fine performance as Yannick, a teacher who is caught in her students’ political movement. She flees the chaos to move in with her sister Micheline (a superb Michele Marceline), who lives in a wealthy neighborhood with her overprotected daughter. The sisters were witnesses to tragedy and struggles growing up in their native country, and Micheline, a realtor, has embraced the pretentious lifestyle as a “high class” American. Unlike Micheline, Yannick is unwilling to put her past behind, and she is fervent on bringing justice to her students back at home. And no matter how “different” these sisters’ paths in life may seem, the very convincing acting between the two actresses pave the way to some riveting and touching scenes. The tensions in their rivalry are clearly palpable, and the complexities of their differences become well understood.

Raw and understated, "Stones in the Sun" is handled with sensitivity in regards to its subjects. The well-developed drama has plenty of powerful performances and climactic scenes to keep you on the edge of your seat. But aside from that, you will hopefully come out of this experience with a new appreciation and respect for Haiti, its culture and the many realities its immigrants have undergone here in the USA.

 

[IronFist]

subs to this thread

 

[Sunalmighty]

I'm waiting for this film called "Licks" to come out on dvd. Made in Oakland. The filmmakers "tour" the film around different cities in the Bay Area like it's a unicorn or some shyt.

 

[Sunalmighty]

Most of these films are from overseas it seems

 

[Sunalmighty]

The short film that launched a few careers...



It's fukking amazing.

The writer/director hasn't gotten a Hollywood feature ye (last time i checked)t, if a white guy had wrote/directed this he probably would have gotten one. But he's caking in television.

Amazing film. All of that because dude was banging that niccas girl? He should have had his a $$ kicked as soon as they left the room

 

[xx001234448]

Spike Lee's new film that was funded through Kick Starter. Looks interesting.

 

[loyola llothta]

Lord Thing

One of the most unexpected stories in the film world this year was the surprise hit of the newly restored 1970 documentary "Lord Thing." The film, which chronicles the transformation of the notorious West Side Chicago street gang, the Conservative Vice Lords into a political force, played to sold out houses in various venues, which is not bad for a 44 year old film, which had not been seen in literally decades.

The restoration work was done by the Chicago Film Archives, which was awarded a grant in 2012 from the National Film Preservation Foundation, to preserve two 16mm films that document the activities and social-political transformation of the Vice Lords.

And the Chicago Film Archive, which, this week will be celebrating its tenth anniversary, is a unique intuition whose mission is to preserve and catalogue thousands of films including documentaries, experimental, news footage, educational, industrial and even home movies.

These forgotten films were donated by various sources, including museums, libraries, archivists and film collectors, and they chronicle some aspect of Midwest life and culture, including urban life, the arts, sports and more, from the earliest 20th century, to today.

Founded by Nancy Watrous, who is the Archive’s current executive director, the archive houses some 20,000 films (the earliest being from 1903) and over 100 individual film collections.

And needless to say, many of the films in the Archive’s collection deal with issues related to black people, from family life, culture, urban strife, politics and civil rights; like the 1966 film, "Cicero March," which documents Martin Luther King Jr.'s trip to Cicero, IL, just across the Chicago city limits, to push for fair housing. However, he and his supporters were met with such a viciousness and hostility in Cicero, and Chicago, that even Dr. King himself said was worse than what he had encountered in the South. The film was selected last December to join the list of films in the National Film Registry, for being of significant historical and cultural importance.

Which brings up a subject that I have brought up before - that so many older films dealing with black life and culture, whether professional or amateur, are slowly being lost due to neglect; something must be done to save and preserve them, or else entire generations of black history will be lost forever.

Fortunately, the Chicago Film Archives is doing extraordinarily important and necessary work to preserve, maintain these films for future generations, so that the national heritage, including the African American experience, will have access to a still vibrant look into our past.

You can check out the Archives' website HERE.

Take a look at Cicero March below:

 

[loyola llothta]

5 New Additions to Netflix's Streaming Library to Add to Your Holiday Watch Lists

5 - "The Watsons Go To Birmingham," a Hallmark Channel Original Movie produced Tonya Lewis Lee, is a film adaptation of the historical fiction novel of the same name by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Directed by Kenny Leon (Lifetime's "Steel Magnolias" remake), the film's cast includes: Anika Noni Rose, David Alan Grier, Skai Jackson, LaTanya Richardson, Wood Harris, Bryce Jenkins, Pauletta Washington and Harrison Knight.

Co-produced by Nikki Silver, "The Watsons Go To Birmingham" centers on an African American family living in the town of Flint, Michigan, who visit their grandmother's home in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, a turbulent time during the civil rights movement.

"Set in the Summer of 1963, Flint, Michigan is home to the Watsons, a close knit "All American Family" made up of Daniel and Wilona Watson (Harris and Rose) and their three kids, 15 year-old juvenile delinquent Byron (Knight), nerdy 11 year-old Kenny (Jenkins) and eight year-old adorable sister Joetta (Jackson). When Byron's antics go over the top, his parents realize enough is enough and they decide the family needs a dose of Grandma Sands (Richardson) no nonsense approach in Birmingham, Alabama. So the Watsons load up the 1948 Plymouth Brown Bomber outfitted with a true tone Ultra-Glide turntable and head South with plenty of comedy en route. When they finally make it to Birmingham, they meet Grandma Sands and her friend, Mr. Robert (Grier), who show them around town, and the Watsons discover that life is very different there than in Flint - and not necessarily for the better. During that historic summer, the Watsons find themselves caught up in something far bigger than Byron's antics. Something that will change their lives and country forever."

What they get "caught up in" is the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in September, 1963, which proved to be one of the pivotal events of that year in the fight for civil rights.

The book was Christopher Paul Curtis' first novel, and it received a Newbery Honor, the Coretta Scott King Award, and the Golden Kite Award.

The project is part of "Walmart and P&G Present Walden Family Theater," a new series of family movies created by Walmart, P&G, Walden Media and ARC Entertainment.

Trailer is below:

 

[loyola llothta]

4 - "Forgotten Four: The Integration of Pro Football" is an EPIX Original Documentary, narrated by Jeffrey Wright. It tells the little-known story of 4 outstanding and brave African American men – Kenny Washington, Woody Strode, Marion Motley and Bill Willis – who broke the color barrier in pro football in 1946, one year before Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey were credited with integrating Major League Baseball.

The hardships and triumphs of the Forgotten Four are told through the recollections of their families and those who have researched these pioneers. Those interviewed include Forgotten Four family members: Tony Motley (Marion Motley’s grandson), Mike Brown (Paul Brown’s son), Clem and William Willis, Jr. (Bill Willis’ sons), Karin L. Cohen (Kenny Washington’s daughter) and Kalai Strode (Woody Strode’s son).

An all-star lineup of football legends also shares their insights, including: Don Shula (Hall of Fame coach who also played for the Cleveland Browns), Bob Gain, Sherman Howard, Jim Hardy (Los Angeles Rams) and George Taliaferro (Indiana University). Participating writers/historians include Joe Horrigan (Pro Football Hall of Fame), Lonnie G. Bunch (National Museum of African American History and Culture), Khalil Gibran Muhammad (Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture), Jarrett Bell (USA Today) and Brad Pye, Jr. (Los Angeles Sentinel).

Watch the trailer below:

 

[loyola llothta]

3 - Omar Sy co-stars in "Good People," directed by Danish filmmaker Henrik Genz ("Terribly Happy"), his English-language debut.

The film is a thriller that follows an American couple living in London, who fall into deep debt while renovating her family’s home. When their downstairs apartment tenant dies, leaving 200,000 pounds in cash, the couple takes it, and then some very bad things start to happen.

Based on a novel (written by Marcus Sakey), here's a synopsis: "Young American couple, Tom and Anna Reed, fall into severe debt while renovating Anna's family home in London. As the couple faces the loss of their dream to have a house and start a family, they discover that the tenant in the apartment below them has been murdered and he left behind a stash of cash—$400,000 worth. Though initially hesitant, Tom and Anna decide that the plan is simple: all they have to do is quietly take the money and use only what's necessary to get them out of debt. But when they start spending the money and can't seem to stop, they find themselves the target of a deadly adversary and that's when very bad things start happening to good people."


Sy plays the "deadly adversary."

James Franco and Kate Hudson play the American couple.

Tom Wilkinson also co-stars as a suspicious cop, likely with his own agenda.

Watch the trailer for "Good People" below:

 

[loyola llothta]

2 - Add this to your list of Muhammad Ali projects to watch, if you haven't had your fill yet (there've been quite a few in the last few years).

A new documentary from Passion Pictures, the executive producer of the critically-acclaimed "Searching for Sugar Man," and "The Imposter," which is centered on the recorded conversations of Ali.

Titled "I Am Ali, "and financed by NBC Universal, the film is directed by Clare Lewins, and is told through exclusive, unprecedented access to Ali's personal archive of 'audio journals' combined with touching interviews and testimonials from his inner circle of family and friends, including his daughters, sons, ex-wife and brother, plus legends of the boxing community including Mike Tyson, George Foreman and Gene Kilroy.

Executive producer John Battsek (who claims "When We Were Kings" was an inspiration) said about the doc: “It’s a film built around phone conversations that Ali recorded for many years with his family. That’s the spine of the film. It’s a very personal perspective on Ali, from Ali – in a way – through a 20-year period of his life when he was still fighting.”

While Ali himself isn't directly involved in the project, he's certainly aware of it.

Other recent Ali-related docs include "The Trials Of Muhammad Ali," from Kartemquin Films, which takes a look at Ali’s battle to overturn the five-year prison sentence he received for refusing US military service during the Vietnam War; and Stephen Frears' "Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight," which examines the same case, but from the POV of the Supreme Court. Both are on DVD now.

Watch the trailer for "I Am Ali" below:

 

[loyola llothta]

1 - From director Tim Sutton and producer John Baker comes the feature film "Memphis," which made its world premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

The film, immersed in ethereal folklore, surrealism and soul music, follows the transformation of Ezra Jack, from beloved soul singer to "ecstatic contemplator," providing a look at a man who achieves obscurity in the hope of finding salvation and rebirth.

Longer description: A strange singer with "god given talent" drifts through the mythic city of Memphis under its canopy of ancient oak trees, shattered windows, and burning spirituality. Surrounded by lovers, legends, hustlers, preachers, and a wolfpack of kids, the unstable performer avoids the recording studio and is driven to spend time in his own form of self-discovery. Shown in fragments, his journey drags him from love and happiness right to the edge of another dimension.

The cast includes singular Chicago artist and musician Willis Earl Beal (in the poster above; he also scored the film), Lopaka Thomas, Constance Brantley, Devonte Hull, John Gary Williams, and Larry Dodson.

Trailer for the film embedded below.

 

[Soundbwoy]

peep the webserie on youtube the movie is worth the 10$
http://thatguy.vhx.tv/

 

[loyola llothta]

Travis and Tabitha

Travis and Tabitha by Chicago based filmmaker is an independently financed first feature film Keith Purvis, is a contemporary dramedy about Tabitha, a 26 year old failed fashion designer, Tabitha, and Travis, a 30 year old aspiring cook who out of necessity become reluctant roommates on the Southside of Chicago and as Purvis says: ‘their makeshift relationship forces Tabitha to rekindle her passion and Travis to confront his past”.

“It’s a contrast between the grittiness of (the city) with the beauty of two young people finding the passion in themselves and each other. That moment when someone young must make a decision about their life and write their own story instead of living the one given to the”.

Purvis, who has previously made shorts films, documentaries and commercials, says that he wanted to make his film because he wanted to make a “movie about how relationships really happen. Not the sitting around pining for someone type of relationship seen so much in movies. But real relationships that come as a result of us bumping into each other while we rush off to do whatever we 'think' we're supposed to be doing with our lives”.

He also hopes that Travis and Tabitha will “celebrate an audience of people who are young and looking for new definitions for their lives instead of the definitions given to us and the chaos, disappointment and enlightenment that entails”.

So now to help complete his film Purvis has started an Indiegogo campaign to raise $8000 by the end of the month to finish the film and for other important costs such as music licensing, lawyer fees, equipment rental for remaining scenes and film festival submission fees

Check out the trailer below and if this looks like your kind of film and want to help out a filmmaker committed to presenting more positive image f black people on the screen check out his Indiegogo page HERE.