We all like a good story about overcoming odds and transforming misfortune into triumph. That’s the story Rosie Perez talked about during an interview today (publicizing her book on NPR). Perez went from Soul Train dancer to actor, to victim rights advocate and motivational speaker. She is pictured above during a visit to the Southwest Community Center, where she was a keynote speaker (2011).
Asomgyee Pamoja (along with Arthur Parris) led a discussion after “Better Mus Come” at CFAC last night.
The third night of the Community Folk Art Center’s Caribbean Cinematic Festival featured a showing of “Better Mus Come.” The film, which was directed by Storm Saulter, can best be described as a “The Harder They Come” meets “Boyz n the Hood” (and ‘The Wire’), all wrapped in a love story. To the best of our knowledge this was the film’s public debut here in Central New York.
A lively post-film discussion featured talk of tribalism, senseless violence, and dangers posed by oppressive geopolitical manipulation within the African Diaspora.
Artist Yui Kugimiya discussed her process and several of her works, including Cat Brushing Teeth, last night at the Everson Museum of Art.
This is the second artist talk we’ve seen for the UVP series. We look forward to the technological upgrades that will make it possible to watch films and artist talks while riding the Connective Corridor buses (not just from the window, but projected inside maybe) since gathering in the Everson Plaza is not always favorable in February.
Jim Brown, Julius Edwards, Spike Lee, Rufus Morris, General Davis at the School of the heARTS (inside what is now the Merchant’s Commons Building). Brown and Lee came to Syracuse a decade ago to premiere the 40 Acres & A Mule documentary Jim Brown: All-American.
Downtown
This week is a holiday week for many with the highlight being the Thanksgiving Holiday, or this year,the beginning of Hanukkah; still others look forward to Black Friday shopping (and the beginning of the Christmas season).
We met Gina Stokes at the Social Media Breakfast and found out that last week was National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. To celebrate and highlight the issue, the Rescue Mission invited filmmaker and homeless advocate Mark Horvath to Syracuse. He premiered his film @home, and participated in a panel discussion at the Palace Theater. Horvath is from Binghamton and is the creator of Invisible People. Listen to a clip of his statement during the Q&A below. Also there’s a comment by the Syracuse Rescue Mission’s Alan Thornton.
Drs. Kishi Animishaun Ducre, Joan Bryant and Milt Sernett were panelists for the 12 Years A Slave screening/talk back event on Sunday evening.
Here are a few of the photographs from the 12 Years A Slave screening/talk back held at the Manlius Art Cinema on Sunday evening. The event was co-hosted by New Inspiration for the Nation and the African American Studies Department at Syracuse University.
Poet Jackie Warren-Moore asks her question for the panel.
Host George Kilpatrick (right) entertains a question.
Dani Leventhal (center) greeted fans at the Everson Museum on Thursday.
2013 Urban Video Project artist-in-residence Dani Leventhal screened several of her short films tonight at the Everson Museum’s Hosmer Auditorium. We found the family anti-drama “17 New Dam Road” the most thought-provoking. The Q+A portion of the evening was cut short, however, Leventhal met with her fans outside on the patio. A steady rain kept the crowd under the awning, but those with umbrellas could venture onto the plaza to re-watch her CNY-centric film “Platonic,” which was projected onto the Everson’s north wall.
Poet Sonia Sanchez spoke at Syracuse University about a decade ago.
Here’s a new documentary will explore the work of poet Sonia Sanchez. The film is in pursuit of crowd funding.
Paul Kentoffio and Basil Anastassiou meet with supporters after a screening of their film in Manlius.
We just may have seen the logical follow up (but not quite the sequel) to the highly-acclaimed film “Hoop Dreams.” Only this time there’s a local connection.
Educators, ballers (men and women), television-personalities and government officials nearly filled the Manlius Art Cinema on Friday to catch a screening of “Ballin’ at the Graveyard” and hear from the filmmakers (Basil Anastassiou-a SU alum and Paul Kenoffio).
As an added bonus two of the principals in the documentary Gerald Malcolm (aka G) and Jarming White (aka Boozer) also attended and talked about the experience of having a film crew dissect court culture and their lives away from the game.
The Manlius screening was part of a barnstorm thru the state-heading next to Rochester then Buffalo.
The filmmakers said they were looking into a larger distribution avenue or increased exposure.
In our opinion, “Ballin’ at the Graveyard” transcends hoops in many ways. Trash-talk and nuances of pick-up ball translate easily to the screen, but what makes great documentary is further excavation to reveal multi-dimensional characters.
The filmmakers seemed to have aced the art. Our hope is now they get the marketing right and more people get to see this film.
Baller, actor and author Gerald Malcolm (aka G) answered questions after a showing of Ballin at the Graveyard in Manlius.
PRPACs Ryan Johnson-Travis and the Connective Corridor’s Linda Dickerson Hartsock take a break from their booths during Urban Cinematheque at the Everson Plaza on Friday night. This year were fortunate to meet and interview these two guiding lights in our city.