African Diaspora Winter Film Festival

The Riverside Theatre and ArtMattan Productions have once again joined forces to present an eclectic slate of award winning, thought provoking and entertaining films from Africa and the African Diaspora from December 5 through December 7 during the annual African Diaspora Film Festival at The Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Ave. (bet. 120^th & 122^nd St. ), Morningside Heights.The African Diaspora Winter Film Festival is a mix of foreign, independent, classic and urban films representing the global Black experience through an extraordinary range of subjects and artistic approaches.  Created in 1993 by ArtMattan Productions, a company that produces a collection of programs and events promoting Afrocentric theme cultures, the Festival has long been delighting audiences with U.S. and world premieres of independent films, including features, documentaries, animation, and shorts. In keeping with its commitment to present cutting edge documentaries, The Riverside Theatre joins ArtMattan Productions to present an array of foreign, independent, classic and urban films to teach and inspire diverse audiences.

 

This year’s festival kicks off with White Like the Moon & Every Child, a short drama about a young Mexican-American girl who struggles with her cultural identity as her mom forces her to bleach her skin white to fit into “Anglo” society in the 1950s.  White Like the Moon & Every Child will be followed by a presentation of

Every Child is Born a Poet: The Life and Work of Piri Thomas. Directed by Jonathan Robinson, this documentary celebrates the life of the Afro-Cuban-Puerto Rican author of the classic autobiographical novel Down These Mean Streets.  This fiery mix of spoken word poetry and dramatizations shows how the author used writing as a weapon to fight the obstacles around him: poverty, racism, violence and isolation.

 

On Saturday, December 6, the film festivals’ second day starts off with Nzi the Small Griot, a brief 13-minute animated film about a curious little boy who likes to tell stories and goes on amazing adventures that are full of surprises. After the animated film, the educational documentary The Story Tellers will reveal, through African actors and filmmakers, how Africa has to fight to take back its cinema and needs to use its biggest strength to successfully do so: their culture, their identity.

 

Founded in 1960 on the belief that the arts can be a transforming power in people’s lives, the 250-seat Riverside Theatre presents a diverse range of programming that has included original dance productions, film premieres, musicals, and plays.  The Theatre has become well known for exposing audiences to arts from many cultures, supporting emerging artists of all disciplines and stands as a valuable cultural resource in Upper-Manhattan.  Past presentations include: the heart wrenching documentary Congo: White King, Red Rubber, Black Death; performances by Forces of Nature Dance Company, the Power of Drum tribute to Max Roach, La Boule Blanche Tribute to Katherine Dunham and the annual New York Family Arts Festival.

 

With the exception of 13 Months of Sunshine on Friday, December 5 at 8:00 pm, which costs $25 and includes a catered reception, ticket prices are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors (65 years of age and older) and children (12 years of age and younger).  Matinee tickets, which include all showings before 5 p.m. on Friday, are $8 for all ages.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets call (212) 870-6784 or visit www.theriversidetheatre.org.

 

 

                                                                            

This year’s festival films include:

 

White Like the Moon & Every Child

Friday, December 5 at 12:00 Noon

In this short drama, a young Mexican-American girl struggles with her cultural identity as her mom forces her to bleach her skin white to fit into “Anglo” society in the 1950s.  The film is shown with Every Child is Born a Poet: The Life and Work of Piri Thomas.

 

Every Child is Born a Poet: The Life and Work of Piri Thomas

Directed by Jonathan Robinson, this documentary celebrates the life of the Afro-Cuban-Puerto Rican author of the classic autobiographical novel Down These Mean Streets.  This fiery mix of spoken word poetry and dramatizations shows how the author used writing as a weapon to fight the obstacles around him: poverty, racism, violence and isolation.

 

The Fists of a Nation (los Punos de una Nacion)

Spanish with English subtitles

Friday, December 5 at 2 PM

This inspiring documentary pays tribute to the life of Roberto Duran, a young hard hitting boxing champion who was able to achieve fame and success despite growing up in one of the poorest barrios of Panama City .  Nicknamed “Manos de Piedra” translated to mean “Hands of Stone,” this young hero’s unique twist on the traditional “rags to riches” story gave hope to people in his own country and all throughout Latin America as it fought for its independence in the face of mounting U.S. economic imperialism. 

 

The Black Candle

Friday, December 5 at 3:45 PM

Premiering for the first time in New York , The Black Candle shines light on the struggle and triumph of African American family, community and culture through the exploration of Kwanzaa.  Narrated by world-renowned poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M. Asante , Jr., this film is not to miss.

 

El Benny

Friday, December 5 at 5:30 PM

Directed by Joge Luis Sanchez, this musical drama that was also Cuba ’s 2007 Oscar entry unravels the life of the famous Cuban musician, Benny More, and includes the most recent versions of his songs performed by contemporary musicians Chucho Valdes, Juan Formell, Haila and Cuban hip-hop sensation, Orishas. 

 

13 Months of Sunshine

Friday, December 5 at 8:00 PM                                                                                                                                                                                        Cost: $25

This drama tells the story of Soloman, an Ethiopian man who marries Hanna so she can obtain a green card and become a legal immigrant of the United States ; in exchange, her family will give him the chance to fulfill his lifelong dream of opening an authentic Ethiopian coffee shop by paying him $20,000. Things start to get complicated when jealousy, love and the clash of cultural values interferes with what was originally supposed to be a marriage of convenience.  Following the film is a Q& A session with the cast, along with a catered reception.

 

 

Nzi the Small Griot

Saturday, December 6 at 2 PM

Nzi the Small Griot is a brief 13-minute animated film in which the audience will open up their minds for adventure and surprise as they follow a very curious boy who likes to tell stories.  The animated short will be shown together with The Story Tellers.

 

The Story Tellers

In this educational documentary, African actors and filmmakers discuss how Africa has to fight to take back its cinema and needs to use its biggest strength to successfully do so: their culture, their identity.  Followed by a Q&A with the director after the screening.

 

Disappearing Voices: The Decline of the Black Radio

Saturday, December 6 at 4:30 PM

Written and narrated by radio personality and historian Bob Law (Night Talk), this film explores the depths of the rise and fall of an art form unique to Black American Radio.  The controversial and provocative documentary also services as a history and a memoir and a source for solutions.  There will be a Q&A with the film’s director after the screening.

 

Complexion

Saturday, December 6 at 7:00 PM

It seems like love at first sight when Derek meets Tracee and the two instantly connect.  On the surface, all seems perfect in their relationship, but Derek must fight a battle within himself to conquer the one thing that is keeping him from truly falling in love with Tracee: her skin complexion.  Directed by Vandon N. Gibbs.

 

Southern Cross

Sunday, December 7 at 1:30 PM

A traditional Sunday for an African American family is turned upside down when Gloria discovers her seven-year-old daughter Tabitha playing with a Confederate Flag Pillow.  Gloria immediately forbids her daughter to continue playing with the pillow because of its racist symbolism, and is surprised to encounter opposition from her husband on the issue.  The seemingly innocent play of a child turns to a deep family discussion in which new discoveries of family history are revealed, forging a new understanding upon Tabitha on her cultural background.  Directed by Kameishia Wooten, Southern Cross will be shown as a double bill with Mr. Bones.

 

Mr. Bones

Three siblings are forced to grow up quickly as they outlive their parents in a devastating bus crash.  They find comfort in an unlikely partner in grief at a shallow grave in the woods of a desolate park.  We watch our three heroes grow up into their appropriate careers — Devin as an architect, Dionne as an account for her church and Dominique as a superstar comedienne.  As different as the siblings may be, their commonality is the secret of Mr. Bones, whose final resting place they’ve enshrined with their own memories and kept closely guarded for nearly 30 years.

 

Angels Can’t Help But Laugh

Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 PM

Actress Terri. J Vaughn sits down with 25 of Hollywood ’s African American actresses to discuss the successes and challenges they’ve faced in the entertainment industry as African American females.  The documentary offers the audience a candid and unscripted look into the minds and hearts of these actresses.  Followed by a Q& A session.