| LaHitz@Cannes
African Diaspora United
Films from the African Diaspora with genres
from romance to sci-fi are promoted.
San
Francisco, CA (BlackNews.com) - Fathers of the Sport
directed by Xavier "X" Mitchell opens the LaHitz@Cannes
Film Series "Images, Stories and Song, Uniting Africa for the
Greater Good" during the 61st Cannes International Film Festival.
The international line up by or about the African Diaspora includes
sci-fi films by African American filmmakers, Algeny, the Genetic
Factor directed by Andrew Burroughs and Camp D.O.A.
directed by Alabama State Representative, Earl Hilliard Jr. The
Rise and Fall of Miss Thang, directed by Stacie Hawkins, Africa
Unite, directed by Stephanie Black, Cordially Invited,
directed by Michael Fouther, Retour A Goree directed by
Pierre-Yves Borgeau and Namibia, Struggle for Liberation
directed by Charles Burnett complete the series. Click on the les
films link at the website designed by Médoune Senghor www.nautylusprod.com/webzo/cannes2008_RC3/
to see the trailers of each film.
Also to be promoted
is Because They Believed a Carolyn Voss film produced for
the African-American Ethnic Hall of Fame founded by Arif Khatib
(www.afrosportshall.com/). The film, which is being completed, is
the untold stories of forgotten athletes, true heroes that changed
the face of sports in America and paved the way for the generations
of black athletes that followed. The program covers all sports,
men and women. It's packed with lots of information that is virtually
not known. Heartwarming and inspiring stories of people with perseverance
and dedication that faced barrier after barrier of racism , yet
held their heads up high and didn't give up. Danny Glover will narrate
the film, and 6-time Grammy Award winner Skyler Jett is composing
the music. (www.postimpressions.net/Pages/Projects%20in%20the%20works%20nav.html)
"The films
we are promoting show the variety and versatility among the African
Diaspora," said Jacquie Taliaferro, Director of LaHitz Media
based in San Francisco. "So many great films never see the
light of day and that is why LaHitz has worked to get filmmakers
among the Diaspora to come to Cannes," added Taliaferro. I
am still encouraged by the early advice of Sheryl Lee Ralph and
Melvin Van Peebles who both said 'we have to create our own opportunities
and not ask for permission to be succeed.' Participating in the
March du Film is an opportunity for filmmakers to sell directly
to distributors."
LaHitz@Cannes
is an outgrowth of Taliaferro's more than a decade of experience
at the world's largest international festival. Each year Taliaferro
presents an artist with the LaHitz Sojourner Truth Award. It is
presented annually at the Cannes International Film Festival and
the Pan African Film Festival. The award is given to individuals
from around the world that make a humanitarian difference with their
art. Recipients include Melvin Van Pebbles, Jean Marie-Gaston Kabore,
Danny Glover, Lil Cumbers, Neema Barnett, South African Film Commissioner,
Eddie Mbato, filmmaker Ramatou Keita of Niger and U.S labor activist,
Maria Elena Durazo, Marla Gibbs, Nichelle Nichols, and Yo-Yo Whitaker,
the rapper, Los Angeles radio personality and philanthropist who
received the award at the 2008 Pan African Film and Arts Festival.
(www.wrightnow.biz/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=46194&columnid=)
"It is
great to see bright up and coming stars like Xavier Mitchell (www.fathersofthesport.com/),
Andrew Burroughs (www.algenymovie.com),
and Earl Hilliard Jr. (www.myspace.com/campdoa)
join the ranks of directors like Charles Burnett at Cannes,"
said Taliaferro. As we see changes in market forces that would marginalize
Black-buying power, it's important that we remember to affirm our
own work no matter the platform or genre. With all due respect to
others, a people should never forfeit their right to affirm themselves.
That is way having our voice at Cannes is so important to provide
a platform in the world market," added Taliaferro.
LaHitz Media
is also gearing up for Cannes 2009 with plans to work with international
fashion designer, Angele Medeiros (www.afric-elance.com/) for a
benefit fashion show with entertainers to raise funds for non-profits
fighting Malaria in Africa. For more information and sponsorship
opportunities, email lahitznews@yahoo.com.
SYNOPSES
LaHitz@Cannes:
"Images, Stories and Song, Uniting Africa for the Greater Good"
www.wrightnow.biz/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=46194&columnid=
Fathers
of the Sport directed by Xavier "X" Mitchell -- a
documentary that uncovers the colorful and compelling history of
playground basketball, produced by Providence Films/Trace Entertainment
and directed by Xavier Mitchell, the film chronicles the lives and
stories of the many "legends" and unsung heroes who dominated
the early playground basketball courts in New York, Philly, DC,
and Chicago. With images, music, and footage from the 30's through
the 70's, Fathers of the Sport tells the story of these asphalt
warriors who escaped and rose above an American social culture embedded
with racism, war, oppression, and poverty through a mutual love
and respect for the game.
Algeny,
the Genetic Factor directed by Andrew Burroughs -- Justin Thomas
is a walking mystery. An orphan trying to make a life for himself
in adulthood, he yearns to create the family he never had. But when
he discovers the secrets of his past, his hopes for the future and
his life are put in jeopardy. Justin finds out that his body is
an experiment that could change the nature of the world for good
or ill. Those who want him will stop at nothing. The chase begins.
When it ends, Justin will either assist mankind or help along its
ultimate destruction. Which way will be a way out? Either way, his
world will be forever changed in this all-too-present-day thriller.
Visit www.algenymovie.com for more information or email info@greenglassfilms.com
Camp D.O.A.
directed by Earl Hilliard Jr. -- Devon Southern is having the time
of his life. He's young, handsome, and rich. Far from thinking of
himself as a spoiled rich kid, he loves being the Big Man on Campus-
throwing parties and spending weekends at exclusive retreats. He
has made many friends, and a few enemies. Devon discovers that his
father, a wealthy land developer, has acquired a new holding, which
he plans to turn into an exclusive mountain resort. On a whim and
without his father's knowledge, Devon invites several friends to
the secluded mountain spot for a long holiday weekend of fun. While
Devon plans the weekend of all weekends, one of his campus rivals
plots to ruin the weekend of fun. However, even before he and his
college pals arrive on the mountain, a shadow of evil lurks in the
darkness. Arriving ready for fun and relaxation, Devon has no clue
about a strange merciless killer that lurks in the shadows. Safe
in the light of day, Devon and his friends have not a clue that
time is running out for them. Visit www.myspace.com/campdoa for
more information or email earl@magiccityfilms.com
The Rise
and Fall of Miss Thang directed by Stacie Hawkins -- Over the
years Dee Miller has come to be known as Miss Thang, the hottest
dancer in Chicago's underground house music scene. A former tap
dancing prodigy, Dee now spends her time ruling the dance floor
at the local nightclub. Living off her mother and occasionally braiding
hair in her mother's salon for spending money, Dee continually ignores
everyone's pleas for her to grow up and become a responsible adult.
Dee is confronted with reality when her mother's expensive gambling
habit puts everything that they hold dear in jeopardy. She must
now find a way to salvage their family finances, as well as her
relationship with her mother. Dee's only comfort in these trying
times is a new friend who re-introduces her to the world of tap
dancing, an art form that has always been close to her heart. Visit
www.myspace.com/missthangmovie for more information.
Africa Unite,
directed by Stephanie Black -- Starring Danny Glover, Lauryn Hill,
Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley, Angelique Kidjo. Africa Unite
is a singular and masterfully executed film that is at once concert
tribute, Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary,
igniting the screen with the spirit of world-renowned reggae icon
Bob Marley in its every frame. In commemoration of Bob's 60th birthday,
Africa Unite is centered on the Marleys' first-time-ever
family trip to Ethiopia in 2005. Includes rare footage of world-renowned
reggae icon Bob Marley. There in the capital city of Addis Ababa
three generations of Marleys take part in a 12-hour concert attended
by more than 300,000 people from around the world, with the ultimate
purpose of inspiring the young generations of Africa to unite for
the future of their continent. Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zlW8bPvojU
for more information. Represented by Cinemavault (www.cinemavault.com)
Cannes Booth: riveria G5/H8. Booth Tel: 33-(0)-4-92-99-33-27
Cordially
Invited, directed by Michael Fouther -- Kenya Jackson is from
the inner city; Alton Sheffield comes from a life of privilege.
These differences, however, were not enough to keep them from falling
madly in love. It's the day of their dream wedding and family and
friends have been cordially invited to attend. In spite of the bride's
dirty little secret being exposed, a meddling mother-in-law, a drunken
wedding crasher, feuding bridesmaids, and a philandering best man,
the couple has vowed to make the best of their big day. Visit www.cordiallyinvitedmovie.com/
for more information.
Retour A
Goree/ Return to Goree directed by Pierre-Yves Borgeau -- The
musical road movie, Return to Gorée, tells of African singer
Youssou N'Dour's epic journey following the trail left by slaves
and by the jazz music they invented. Youssou N'Dour's challenge
is to bring back to Africa a jazz repertoire and to sing those tunes
in Goree, the island that today symbolizes the slave trade and stands
to commemorate its victims. Guided in his mission by the pianist
Moncef Genoud, Youssou N'Dour travels across the United States of
America and Europe. Accompanied by some of the world's most exceptional
musicians, they meet peoples and well-known figures, and create,
through concerts, encounters and debates, music which transcends
cultural division. From Atlanta to New Orleans, from New York to
Dakar through Luxemburg the songs are transformed, immersed in jazz
and gospel. But the day of their return to Africa is fast approaching
and much remains to be done to be ready for the final concert. Visit
www.retouragoree.com/trailer.html for more information.
Namibia,
Struggle for Liberation directed by Charles Burnett -- tells
the story of the rise to power of Samuel Nujoma (Carl Lumbly), a
prominent leader in Namibia's struggle for independence from South
Africa, and that country's first president. Opening when Nujoma
was 16 years old and the country is under constant oppression from
South Africa, the young man learns that he is the direct descendant
of royalty. He sets off as a young man to live with an aunt, and
befriends a religious man (Danny Glover) who has maintained a low
profile after legal troubles stemming from a suspicious car accident.
Eventually Nujoma, in the face of severe racism, forms the SWAPO
political movement that, with the assistance of some foreign governments,
eventually earns Namibia its independence. Visit vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=26872119
for more information.
CONTACT:
Jackie Wright, Wright Enterprises
jackiewright@wrightnow.biz
415-824-3990
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