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The Next Step: Black Filmmaking in Philadelphia
I recently attended an event with a whole host of sponsors: The Black Film Advisory Committee, Councilman at-Large David Oh, Reelblack, The Greater Philadelphia Film Office, The City of Philadelphia, Radio One and The Painted Bride Art Center. The event was called The Next Step: Black Filmmaking in Philadelphia. The idea, spearheaded by Kimberley Richards, Special Assistant to Councilman Oh, was to bring together aspiring filmmakers, with those who have experienced success in the business. And also to further examine the on-going challenges of being of color in an industry that is still primarily white. I was surprised at the turn-out. It looked to be over 200 people in attendance.…
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SPARKLE 1976 vs. SPARKLE 2012
For anyone unfamiliar, Sparkle can easily be confused with DreamGirls, or even, Mariah Carey's 2001 bomb at the box office, Glitter. But Sparkle came first. It is the story of 3 choir singing sisters (siblings) who for a brief period of time become singing sensations in Harlem (1958), but are brought low by an abusive gangster and the pitfalls of reaching for a dream...
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Commentary – DARK GIRLS
Dark Girls is co-directed and produced by Bill Duke (Duke Media) and D. Channsin Berry (Urban Winter Entertainment) the film explores the deep-seated bias and attitudes about skin color; particularly dark skinned women, outside of and within the Black American culture...
