Want better options in Black entertainment?
on June 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 amHere’s your chance to check out, support and create buzz for new Black films. Today is the second day of the Hollywood Black Film festival and even if you cannot make it, check out the site.
The gallery below are just a few films that caught my attention.
1. Afia
Being a kid can be tricky. Just ask Afia. She’s a misunderstood 9-year old Michael Jackson fanatic whose unusual antics get her kicked out of private school. Afia, the hot-tempered, force to be reckoned with is thrust into the public school system once and for all. Unlike what Afia expects, public school is not a walk in the park. Over-bearing teachers and guidance councilors, detention, rules, parents…the bully. Yes, a bully that is bigger, badder, and smarter then Afia, who would of thought? How will Afia deal with this new crisis, she wants her respect but she can’t afford to mess up, what will her parents think, what school will she get hauled off to next. Afia’s next move better be a smart one.
2. Ballou
Film by: Michael Patrei
Ballou , follows the talented Washington, DC, Ballou High School Marching Band, as they overcome a negative environment filled with guns, drugs and violence to overcome and uplift the community with music, dedication and personal sacrifice. They are on the way to a national band competition, but first they have to learn how to play instruments and overcome personal loses due to the United States governmental neglect of an impoverished community just 3 miles away from the US Capitol building. Celebrities including Rev. Jess Jackson, Colin Powell, Congressman John Lewis, Marion Barry, Denyce Graves, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chuck Brown are featured in the film to show the importance of a small marching band that overcomes the negative environment and neglect to become an award winning band. Ballou High School is a struggling inner city school where only 5% of its students go on after high school and graduate college. During the filming, 58 violent crimes occurred within 1500 feet of the school and our producer was robbed at knife point and beaten on the door steps of another DC public school. The Ballou Marching Band is a positive force in the lives of the students and the community. Under the direction of Mr. Darrell Watson, along with the help from his tireless, all volunteer staff, the Ballou Marching Band gives its students new opportunities. Mr. Watson tries to instill, “life lessons,” as he teaches music to give the students the tools they need to succeed in life.
3. Brothers Incorporated
Philadelphia, 1963. Marcus Christenson is poised to take control of his father’s business – the Philadelphia Black Mafia. The problem is Marcus’ heart lies with his music. The young guitarist must decide between his passion and dreams or the dreams of his father. The choice Marcus makes will make him into a man. But what kind of man will he become?
4. Clean Mic: Laughing Until It Hurts
Have you ever thought a ethnic joke went a bit too far in a comedy club and found yourself looking around to see if you were the only one embarassed? The explosion of comedy as a form of entertainment in today’s quick paced, internet savvy world has opened doors for many comedians. It has also perpetuated stereotypes beyond back room parlors and locker rooms. Cean Mic is an entertaining, thought provoking journey into the realities facing ethnic comedians performing in American comedy clubs. This funny, behind the scenes portrait reveals the complexities of performing for a 24 hour, entertainment hungry society which often encourages stereotypes in stand up comedy. The film follows Washington DC and New York comedians as they attempt to perfom Clean Comedy in an unclean world. Saturday Night Live veteran Dean Edwards and Don Imus Co-host Karith Foster keep the jokes coming with their non-traditional take on Urban Comedy. Social comedy icons Dick Gregory and Paul Mooney reflect on their own personal observations and expereinces in stand up comedy.
5. Da Jammies
Animation
From the producers of “The Proud Family” is “Da Jammies” (5pm on Fri. June 5th at the Laemmle Music Hall Theatre #3), a 3D animated short series that follows five diverse tweens from the “Suburbs” who attend a performing arts middle school where they study singing, dancing and music in hopes of one day achieving their dreams of super stardom. Da Jammies showcases groundbreaking hip-hop dances, music and fashion never before seen in animation. Ralph Farquhar is the executive producer.
6. A Father’s Promise
“A Father’s Promise” story is about a man, named Jamal, who has spent several years of his life in prison leaving his family behind. While in prison, he has managed to turn his life around for the better. He vowed that once he got out of jail, he would make that time up with his wife and son. After being released from prison, he decided to stop by a corner store near his house called Tommie’s to pick up some flowers for his wife. While inspecting the flowers two teenage boys come into the corner store with guns attempting to rob the place. A FATHER’S PROMISE is a suspenseful and heartwarming movie about one man’s struggle to redemption.
7. The Hands
The Hands is a story of the love between a father and daughter that can’t last in its original pure state. As the grown-up daughter now sits at her father’s bedside in his final hours, she becomes fixated upon his hands and how they have come to represent all of who he was, as a man and as a father. Each glance connects her to the man she knew—the loving and doting new father, the ambivalent man who was forced to launch his daughter out into the world, and the imperfect human being who allowed his own weaknesses to separate them. In the end, she is left alone to determine for herself what she will allow his life and love to mean to her.
Some of these films have their own website. Go to the Hollywood Black Film Festival website for additional links and previews.
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- Afia
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- Ballou
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- Brothers Incorporated
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- Clean Mic: Laughing Until It Hurts
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- Da Jammies
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- The Hands
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