New Voices in Black Cinema 2016 SelectionsPosted by Wilson Morales
April 6, 2016
From Thursday, April 21, through Sunday, April 24, BAMcinématek, in partnership with the ActNow Foundation, presents the sixth New Voices in Black Cinema festival. Reflecting the wide spectrum of views and themes within African and diaspora communities in Brooklyn and beyond, the series includes 10 feature length films, including four New York premieres, and two shorts programs. New Voices in Black Cinema, one of a variety of ActNow programs presented in partnership with BAMcinématek since 2009, provides a showcase for new and established voices in black independent cinema.
The four New York premieres include Tahir Jetter’s Sundance hit, How To Tell You’re a Douchebag (April 23), a subversive take on the rom-com inspired by the likes of Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues and Stephen Frears’ High Fidelity; Sean Hodgkinson’s Trafficked (April 23), in which a trio of vacationers are seduced by a charming stranger—with disturbing repercussions; Danny and the Human Zoo (April 22), Destiny Ekaragha’s BBC-produced drama written by and loosely based on the life and career of stand-up comedian Lenny Henry; and Jake Mahaffy’s Venice Film Festival Orizzonti award-winner Free in Deed (April 23), “a potent, provocative story” (Variety) about the duplicitous storefront church circuit.
The festival kicks off on April 21 with a screening of Jonas Carpignano’s wrenching drama Mediterranea, about two African men and their experiences immigrating to Italy. “Rich and understanding” (The Guardian), the film is a timely and critical portrayal of the ongoing immigration crisis. Also screening on opening night is Somewhere in the Middle, Lanre Olabisi’s (August the First) sophomore feature, an ensemble work featuring outstanding performances by a quartet of actors who play complicated lovers.
New Voices in Black Cinema continues with Sundance Audience Award winner Malik Vitthal’s Imperial Dreams (April 22). Playing a reformed gangster fresh out of prison, a pre-Star Wars John Boyega struggles to turn his life around and reconnect with family and friends in this riveting drama. Taking inspiration from the French New Wave and set in LA, French Dirty (April 24), directed by brothers Jesse Allain-Marcus and Wade Allain-Marcus, follows Vincent (Wade Allain-Marcus) taking stock of his life at 30 and processing a hook up with his best friend’s girlfriend.
Former Black Panther Jamal Joseph directs Chapter & Verse (April 22), the story of an ex-gang member (Daniel Beaty) fighting to keep a teenage boy from making similar mistakes. The documentary When Elephants Fight (April 22), directed by Michael Ramsdell and narrated by Robin Wright, reveals the ways Western nations and corporations have furthered ongoing civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo by buying “conflict minerals” used in the making of consumer electronics. Stories of Our Lives (April 24), directed byJim Chuchu, paints a revealing portrait of LGBT Kenyans which bravely gives a voice to a tragically marginalized community in a country where homosexuality is illegal.
New Voices in Black Cinema also presents a diverse collection of new short films, including Nijla Mumin’s Dream, Amy J. Wright’s Legacy, Erica Watson’s Roubado, Ekwa Msangi’s Sok Sonka, Esther de Rothschild’s Breaking in, Chelsea Wood’s Fog, Mark Eddy’s Haitian Son, Hosanna Marshal’s Open South Africa, Solomon Onita’s Joy, Che Grayson’s Rigamo, R.M. Moses’s Reflection, Kai Alexander’s Transcend, and Michael Boogie Pinckney’s The Trade.
