PURPOSE - Titilayo Akanke

At a time when diversity in the industry is under intense scrutiny, black films enjoyed reasonable inclusion in the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and will hopefully be followed in the coming months with successful box office returns as these films are released into theatres. Included among films premiering at the prestigious festival are The Birth of a Nation, Southside with You, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, and Miles Ahead.

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.

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

audience after the showing of the film. Photos: Titilayo Akanke

Jacob Latimore who plays the lead character, Bo in Sleight. Photo: 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.

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.

The Women of the World (WOW) Concert at the Apollo Theater in New York was the culminating event of four days of activities presented by the Apollo Theater and London's Southbank Centre focusing on women's issues and empowerment. In a series of workshops, seminars, panel discussions, film screenings, mentoring and other sessions; politics, science, sex, war, power and activism were among the topics examined by women of diverse backgrounds. In the program booklet, Apollo Theater Executive Producer Mikki Shepard describes the WOW festival as "a multidisciplinary celebration of groundbreaking socially-conscious female artists, activists, and thought leaders reflecting the diversity and dynamism of Harlem, New York City and the world." Shepard says further that the festivals goals are to "celebrate the formidable power of women and girls; to effect change; remind us of our history; draw attention to injustice," and for women to enjoy and appreciate being in each presence.

The WOW festival began in 2011 under the leadership of founder Jude Kelly who established WOW at London's Southbank Centre. To date, WOW festivals are held internationally in fifteen cities across the globe including Australia, the UK, Egypt, Somaliland, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and in New York and Baltimore in the U.S. Kelly maintains that the WOW festival is a global movement giving voice to women at a time "when female voices have become immensely powerful across the globe as a force for positive change." Through this network, women unite "so they can debate questions and make new solutions together." Women of the World seeks to explore the concerns and "celebrate the potential" of women and girls that are seemingly neglected by governments and institutions.

Photos from the WOW Concert by Titilayo Akanke

Jessica Care Moore on stage at the Apollo Theater

Spoken word artist Jessica Care Moore's Black Women Rock Orchestra provided a dynamic performance at the WOW Concert at the Apollo Theater. According to the website, www.blackwomenrock.com, the goal of the group is to showcase "the music and stories of Black women who build institutions around their craft," to pay homage to women of the past who have opened doors of opportunity, and empower young female musicians, vocalist and poets "tell their stories on their own terms."

(Right) Jessica Care Moore

Detroit native Jessica Care Moore began her writing career as a college journalist at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan and Wayne State University (Detroit). She later became a news writer for Fox television in Detroit. Her introduction to poetry began at Detroit's Cody High School, an interest which she pursued seriously after the death of her father at whose funeral she impressed people with the reading of an original poem. She honed her craft and performed locally at various Detroit venues until she decided to move to New York in 1994. In 1995, she earned a spot on the famed, Showtime at the Apollo talent competition and held the number one spot for five consecutive weeks. Her audience continued to expand as did Moore's career.

In 1997, Moore began her own publishing company, Moore Black Press. She published her first volume of poetry (her own work) titled, The Words Don't Fit in My Mouth (1999). Her other works include a one-woman stage play, There Are No Asylums for the Real Crazy Women, written in the late 1990s; The Alphabet Verses the Ghetto (2001); and The Poetry of Emcees: A Comprehensive Anthology of Hip Hop Generation Writers Known to Rock the Pen. Moore appeared in the film, Slam, performed at the U.S. Comedy Festival as part of producer Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam, as has worked with a host of artist including Nas, Roy Ayers, KRS-One, Gill Scott Heron, and Patrice Rushen, Ossie Davis, CeCe Winans, Gregory Hines, and Amiri Baraka.