What an amazing weekend at the 2011 Black Women Film Festival!! So much was gained from this weekend. Everything from films to social networking to workshops took place over the course of these three days. In addition, at the end of the day there was laughing, crying, smiles, tears of joy all combined in one!! Connections being made, friendships being formed!!
The first thing that opened my eyes with pure excitement was on Friday night, all of the people gathered at the Woodruff Arts Center for this wonderful event. It's such a great feeling to see the gathering of good people, especially Black women!! You could not help but feel the positive energy that filled the building!!
So the question is asked, "Are you ready to take a cinematic journey?!". I know I definitely was...Ready for the World!! Tonight was full of heavy hitters, and if you missed it, then you missed out on a royal treat! Not only did the audience get to witness some great films, but the people who were involved with the projects actually made an appearance as well!
Friday's theme was ...
"Films to Inspire and Uplift by and About Black Women".
First up was,
Spelman College Digital Moving Image Salon. In this film we would learn about the first African American female animator and the digital production lab that she would create to cultivate a new generation of filmmakers. Let me first say I was thoroughly impressed with this film presentation. So much so, that I would not mind going back to undergrad and pursue that program for myself. In this film we would get a chance to step into the life of Spelman professor Dr. Ayoka Chenzira. Here is a dynamic women who definitely stands her ground. She is a true inspiration to everyone that comes in her path. Dr. A as some of students would call her was able to centralize the voice of women through her animation, thus bringing it to life. Many would say that she is "way ahead of the curve", and it was evident in everything that she did. Dr. A was able to partner computers to be used with media so that it could take on a variety of voices. According to fellow Spelman professor W. Jelani Cobb, "she was a black women who was in various places in a hostile climate. And to think, her first film
Alma's Rainbow would stay in the Top 40 as well as be on the same docket with such films as Quentin Tarantino's
Pulp Fiction and the cinematic classic
Sankofa. Without a shadow of doubt Dr. A was able to impart a love for filmmaking as well as her students imparting the same love back to her. She truly has a remarkable gift that has produced some great talents from Emmy-award winners, to PhD candidates, to of course aspiring filmmakers. Dr. A's legacy truly lives on and will continue to do so, for quite some time.
Next on the line-up was the story of an unsung heroine as well as a historical moment that will never be forgotten. Andrew Young presents,
Stars Fell on Alabama tells the story civil rights warrior Amelia Boynton along with various politicians, entrepreneurs, and other celebrities tracing important steps taken during the Civil Rights Movement.
Crossing a bridge, one would think should be as easy as 1-2-3, but this was not the case in Selma, Alabama. African Americans during the 50s and 60s wanted several things, but one thing in particular was that of voting. Here in Selma, these civil rights activists went through more than there share day in and day out. C.T. Vivian, John Lewis, Hosea Williams were just a few of the civil rights leaders who led the way to this remarkable journey. During the time of the march, the original intention was to be orderly and peacefully, something very close to a "military procedure". However what one has to remember is that during this time although it was meant to be orderly it was anything but that.
Over the course of the months that would pass by a lot of serious deaths powerful and graphic images would take place. As I watched the film, just watching the re-enactment truly hits the soul. At times I caught myself cringing and getting angry because of the events taking place. The questions are constantly stirring in your mind, "why would these troopers cause a riot?", "why would these people be so mean?"...these are all things that could not be answered. But the main question that even puzzles me today is, how could the U.S. send troops to Vietnam for a war not even about them, but would not send one single set of troops to Alabama to regulate the Selma situation.
Eventually after several attempts were made to cross that Selma bridge, all the heartache, hard work, dedication, and commitment would come to fruition. Although lives were taken, they did not go out in vain. This journey would become a "spiritual strategy" that would turn into a "spiritual awakening". Finally in 1965, President Johnson would pass the "Voting Rights Act of 1965". That would finally be the light at the end of the tunnel, that African Americans so desperately needed.
Here is a film that played a dual role, it took us on journey for freedom and basic human rights, and at the same time gave us a remarkable history lesson. And to add icing to the cake, the honorable Andrew Young and his daughter Andrea were in the audience to share in the experience. This movie will definitely do great things especially if it is brought to the classroom.
Following this great historical documentary was a sneak peak into director Jerry Allen Davis film
The Shanghai Hotel, starring Hill Harper.
The Shanghai Hotel is the story of a young woman named Yin Yin, who illegally buys her way to the USA from communist China hoping to make a better life for herself and her family. After a long, treacherous journey stowed away in the dark hull of an overcrowded cargo ship. Yin Yin arrives in New York City for what she thinks will be the beginning of a better life. Falsely promised a job in the technology industry, her dreams are shattered when she is told by the Snakeheads, an Asian gang, that he debt is much higher than expected.
This film examines the issue of slave trafficking with women of color.
The Shanghai Hotel was also an entry for the 2011 American Black Film Festival in Miami, Fl. Although this was only a trailer, it definitely further piqued my interest and I'm sure many others as well.
Now here is a provocative film that is sure to make some heads turn. Added at the last moment was a surprise sneak peak trailer into the director Bill Duke's film
Dark Girls. This is a movie that hits near and dear to my heart as it explores the idea of skin color and it long-lasting effects that it has placed on African American women. This film is set to premiere at the "International Black Film Festival in Nashville", which takes this October.
Has anything really changed since the days of American slavery when dark-skinned Blacks were made to suffer even greater indignities than their lighter skinned counterparts? Ask today's dark Black woman.
I am very anxious to see this film one because the legendary Bill Duke is directing it, but at the same because
Dark Girls is discussing an issue that is very prevalent in today's society that has been long overlooked.
And the last film that was shown on Friday night was a tear jerker,
Crime After Crime. The story of Debbie Peagler and a 2011 Sundance Film Festival Selection. Director Yoav Potash gave us a microscopic viewing of what many would say is the fastest growing segment of the prison population...black women. This was an exclusive documentary that showed the legal battle to free Debbie Peagler who spent over a quarter century of her life in prison for being connected to a murder of a man who abused her.
Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) which is the largest women prison facility in the United States is where Debbie Peagler was housed over 28 years. To think that a women is serving a life sentence for domestic violence that was committed against her, just really makes you think about the justice system. It hurts the heart that a women must suffer for something that made her a victim.
The one thing that really stands out about this film is the protagonist Debbie, she somehow managed to keep a smile on her face throughout this whole ordeal even when she wanted to cry. Such a shining strong example of a true warrior inside and out. Debbie defined what it meant to take a negative and turn it into a positive. She managed to maintain her remorsefulness, but at the same time still voice one simple request for her abuser to just leave her alone. You can't help but want to reach out and hug and make all her worries go away.
This is a story that could easily make you question your trust in God and the legal system, but somehow that silver lining still manages to make its appearance.
Here again we were given another treat with the appearance of Debbie's daughter, to share in this moment.
Well all I can say is wow!! Friday night was definitely an experience that if you missed, well you missed out on a jewel!! But fear not the fun would continue on Saturday and Sunday!!
