The
Birth of a Nation is the dramatization of the life of enslaved Nat
Turner who in 1831 led one of the most successful slave revolts in American
history. The role of Nat Turner is played by actor, director, producer Nate
Parker. Also starring in the film are Gabrielle Union, Aunjanue Ellis, Aja
Naomi King, Armie Hammer, Jackie Earle Haley and Mark Boone Jr.
The film received the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and was selected best picture in the audience vote. In a $17.5 million dollar distribution deal with Fox Searchlight, the Birth of a Nation now holds the record as highest paid film for distribution rights. Parker produced the independent film for about $10 million dollars. Since 2010,
Parker has appeared in three films that premiered at Sundance: Red Hook Summer, directed by Spike Lee; Arbitrage featuring Susan Sarandon and Richard Gere; and Ain’t Them Bodies Saints with Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, and Ben Foster. Through his company, Tiny Giant Productions, Parker will continue to pursue his artistic endeavors and bring into fruition projects that are currently in development.
The film received the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and was selected best picture in the audience vote. In a $17.5 million dollar distribution deal with Fox Searchlight, the Birth of a Nation now holds the record as highest paid film for distribution rights. Parker produced the independent film for about $10 million dollars. Since 2010,
Parker has appeared in three films that premiered at Sundance: Red Hook Summer, directed by Spike Lee; Arbitrage featuring Susan Sarandon and Richard Gere; and Ain’t Them Bodies Saints with Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, and Ben Foster. Through his company, Tiny Giant Productions, Parker will continue to pursue his artistic endeavors and bring into fruition projects that are currently in development.
Southside
with You creatively depicts an afternoon in 1989 in Chicago when the
youthful Barack Obama (played by actor Parker Sawyers) sought the attention and
affection of young attorney, Michelle Robinson (actor Tika Sumpter). At a
prestigious firm where they both worked, he was a Harvard law summer associate
and community activist. During a visit
to the Art Institute and attendance at an event in which Obama delivered an address,
the romance began and blossomed into the union now recognized as that of the president
of the United States and the First Lady. Also starring Vanessa Bell Calloway
and Taylar Fondren, the film is the debut work of writer and director by
Richard Tanne.
Through
archival footage, photos, and interviews, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
chronicles the life of the iconic actress, dancer, singer, poet and activist, Maya Angelou. Directed and
produced by Rita Coburn Whack and Bob Hercules, the documentary film integrates
Angelou’s poetic voice and tells the compelling story of the artist and prolific writer. It delves into her early life in the South, her
relationship with Malcolm X, her civil rights work, and the reading of her
poem, “On the Pulse of the Morning” at Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration
in 1993. The film reveals the life of an African-American woman whose profound
ability to harness and unleash words cements her as an American cultural
phenomenon.
Maya Angelou delivers her poem "On the Pulse of the Morning"
at the 1993 presidential inauguration of President Bill Clinton.
Photo: Consolidated News Pictures/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Maya Angelou receiving a congratulatory embrass from President Barack Obama
in 2011 after having been awarded the Medal of Freedom.
Photo: Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images
Directed and
produced by the renowned Spike Lee, the documentary film, Michael Jackson’s Journey from
Motown to Off the Wall, focuses on an earlier portion of the music
superstar’s life that was integral to his iconic rise. The combination of
interviews with Michael and those close to him, archival footage, and musical interludes
showcases the King of Pop’s life from his beginnings at Motown to his deal with
CBS Records, and his collaboration with celebrated producer Quincy Jones. Spike
Lee’s creative and producing genius is fully displayed in his latest film
venture. Among Lee’s other works are Chi-Raq
(2015) his feature film produced for Amazon Studios; Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014); If
God Is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise (2010); When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006); Inside Man (2006); A Huey P. Newton Story (2001); He
Got Game (1998); Four Little Girls
(1997); Malcolm X (1992); Mo’ Better Blues (1990); Do the Right Thing (1989); School Daze (1988); and She’s Gotta Have It (1986). With skill and
versatility as a filmmaker and storyteller fully evidenced in his latest film, Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off
the Wall, Lee continues to impress and enthrall audiences.
Directed and
co-written by Don Cheadle (co-writer Steven Balgelman), who also plays the leading role, Miles Ahead depicts a troubled period in the life of legendary
jazz artist, Miles Davis. For a number of years, Miles seemingly disappeared
from the public eye, struggled with health and emotional challenges, and
released no music. The film explores the circumstances that contributed to Miles’
struggles and to his creative genius that helped define a genre of music. With
assistance and advice from jazz greats Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, and
Robert Glasper, for the role, Cheadle studied Miles intensely and learned to
play the trumpet. Glasper and Cheadle collaborated on scoring the film. Miles
Ahead is Cheadle’s feature film directorial debut. Currently he directs
intermittently and serves as executive producer of House of Lies (Showtime). His acting credits include Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015); Iron Man 3 (2013); Flight (2012); Iron Man 2 (2010); Ocean’s Thirteen (2007); Crash
(2004); Ocean’s Twelve (2004); Hotel
Rwanda (2004); Ocean’s Eleven
(2001); Out of Sight (1998); Boogie Nights (1997); Devil in a Blue Dress (1995). Miles Ahead is schedule for release in
theatres in April 2016.
In developing the fantastical science fiction and suspense feature, Sleight, writer and director JD Dillard and co-writer Alex Theurer tell the story of Bo, a young science genius who is also a talented street magician who supplements his income through dealing drugs, and has been charged with the responsibility of raising his adolescent sister because both their parents are deceased. Involvement in the drug underworld threatens the lives of Bo (actor Jacob Latimore), his love interest, and his little sister. Getting out of the business requires him to employ his most powerful magic and sleight of hand. For a thrilling ninety minutes, viewers journey with Bo from one dangerous scenario to another and anxiously await the outcome of his ultimate challenge. Sleight is Dillard’s feature film directorial debut, though he has directed and produced music videos and other music related projects. He currently has a project in development with Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot. Sleight is described by Sundance writers as a unique blend of “romance, urban drama, and magical super-heroism,” that is “a shining example of inventive indie filmmaking at its best.”
Top right: Sleight cast members Sasheer Zamata and Jacob Latimore.
Directly above: Sleight Co-Writer/Director, J.D. Dillard speaking to the
Directly above: Sleight Co-Writer/Director, J.D. Dillard speaking to the
audience after the showing of the film. Photos: Titilayo Akanke
Jacob Latimore (left) and crew members of Sleight. Photo: Titilayo Akanke
Sleight cast and writer/director from left to right:
Seychelle Gabriel, Sasheer Zamata, JD Dillard, and Jacob Latimore.
Photo: Titilayo Akanke
My
2016 Sundance Experience
As a result of my second experience working behind-the-scenes at the Sundance Film Festival, I am further enlightened about the dynamics of writing, directing and producing films and showcasing them to viewers from across the globe. For various reasons, people involved themselves in performing the oft overlooked day-day-day tasks criticial to the success of a massive undertaking such as the two week long event. People travel internationally from around the world, nationally from across the U.S., and locally from areas surrounding Park City to converge on the small city surrounded by the Rocky Mountains.
One gentleman, who is involved in the film industry in his country, flew to Utah from India expressly to volunteer for the entire two weeks. A Utah resident said she has volunteered for the festival for 17 years and has watched its metamorphoses. At one time, she said the affair had turned into publicity opportunities for celebrities in the business as they would come to the festival with their publicists and entourage whether they had films showing or not. As a result, the focus was diverted from the premiere of films to celebrity sightings and interviews. She attributed Robert Redford, the founder of Sundance, to having redirected the focus to the premiere of films so recognition is geared toward actors, directors, and producers who are actually showcasing films.
One gentleman, who is involved in the film industry in his country, flew to Utah from India expressly to volunteer for the entire two weeks. A Utah resident said she has volunteered for the festival for 17 years and has watched its metamorphoses. At one time, she said the affair had turned into publicity opportunities for celebrities in the business as they would come to the festival with their publicists and entourage whether they had films showing or not. As a result, the focus was diverted from the premiere of films to celebrity sightings and interviews. She attributed Robert Redford, the founder of Sundance, to having redirected the focus to the premiere of films so recognition is geared toward actors, directors, and producers who are actually showcasing films.
As with any ethnic group, telling our own stories
remains a critical aspect of preserving and perpetuation our history and culture
and shaping the images that are projected in society. Filmmaking is in the vanguard
of that effort, so it is imperative that filmmakers of African descent (African-American
and those from throughout the Diaspora) continue to innovate and showcase work in a variety
of venues.
