Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase
Hollywood by Choice
Want to know what’s on the Black man’s mind? The best way to find out is to spend an evening with the Black Hollywood Education and Research Center (BHERC), when they present Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase this Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. and hosted by Emmy Award winning (HBO “In Treatment” for Outstanding Guest Actor) Glynn Turman.
If not for BHERC’s Short Film Showcase, many of the movies that will be presented this weekend may not be seen by the public in such a forum. An outstanding component of the event is the planned question-and-answer session that takes place following the presentations. Added to that is a reception, always great food I might add, and lots of networking.
The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center was formed in 1996 as a nonprofit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop and preserve the history, as well as the future of Blacks in film and television.
BHERC describes The Reel Black Men event screening and dialogue as an opportunity for emerging African American male filmmakers to showcase their skills, talent and vision through film screenings, while giving the audience a chance to view and discuss the artistry, passion and sacrifice involved in the independent filmmaking process.
And you’re in for a special treat: The Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase will be hosted by a veteran actor whose list of credits is so long it would take this entire article to comment on them. Suffice it to say, Turman brings electricity to any part that he plays.
Here’s a brief rundown of what you can expect:
“Somebody’s Gonna Pay” (14:22 min), directed by Mike Madrid, is a story of obligation, revenge and sacrifice and is as gritty as it sounds.
“The Parallax Parallel” (16 min.), directed by Michael Clark follows a man out to find a special gift for his autistic daughter who during a heavy rainstorm on Christmas Eve, takes refuge in a bar after his car breaks down. The people he meets bring about supernatural consequences.
“J - 12” (20 min.), directed by Perri Pierre, tells the story of a young Haitian immigrant living in New York, who facing eviction, uncertainty, and fearing the worst after the earthquake in Haiti.
“IEP” (14 min.), directed by Jason Gilmore, this is the all-too-familiar story of an 8-year-old African American boy, whose behavioral problems are misdiagnosed and he is placed in special education.
“Snapshot” (22 min.), directed by Kevin Coleman, follows an aspiring photographer who must decide what her life will become as she faces the loss of those she loves caused by the art she loves.
“The Switch” (23:45 min.), directed by Marc M. Doc Williams, a successful businessman makes extreme efforts to get women into bed, but one of his dates catches on to his devious ways and beats him at his own game.
“Salvation Road” (16 min.), directed by Ka’RAMUU Kush shows how business becomes unusual when an unsuspecting hitman senses that he’s been witnessed executing his traitorous mentor by a 9-year-old boy.
The Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase Black Hollywood Education and Research Center will close with a reception and networking event that will take place at Raleigh Studios in the Chaplin Theater, 5300 Melrose Ave.
Tickets can be purchased at the door for only $15. For further event information, contact John Forbes at (310) 284-3170; or www.bherc.org; or john@firstweekendclub.org.
Get ready for action, lots of action. Dirty deals, misplaced loyalty, and did I mention some of the finest brothers in Hollywood today? Yeah, girl … this is for the ‘sistas,’ eye-candy to the max.
According to the Hollywood Reporter (THR) “Think Like a Man” scored one of the best openings in recent memory for an African American-themed film in debuting at $33 million.
Futhermore, “Think Like a Man,” adapted from Steve Harvey’s best-selling advice book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” gets bragging rights to being the film to topple Lionsgate’s blockbuster “The Hunger Games”—which has now grossed $357 million domestically—from it’s No. 1 perch.
Bishop T.D. Jakes’ “Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day,” a Neema Barnette film starring Golden Globe® nominee Blair Underwood (“Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Set It Off”), Sharon Leal (“Why Did I Get Married Too?”), Nicole Beharie (“American Violet”), Nicoye Banks (“Law & Order”) and Emmy Award® nominee Pam Grier (“Just Wright”), did a box office ‘wow’ when it performed better than anyone predicted, including the makers of the film.
In a past article, I railed against two reality shows airing on VH1—“Basketball Wives” (Miami and L.A. telecasts) and “Love and Hip Hop.” This time I come in praise of a different type of reality show airing on VH1: “Styled by June.”
What I like about this show is that it depicts a Black woman following her dreams. Yes, the drama is still there, but not what you’d expect. What we see is a woman using her gifts to help others see what they don’t see in themselves.
Actress Octavia Spencer walked away with the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 84th annual Academy Awards Show Sunday. Spencer’s character Minny Jackson in “The Help” aptly displayed her comedic as well as dramatic abilities and demonstrated how grounded an actress she is. Her grace and beauty warmed the audience and her sincere words touched the hearts of many. Spencer is the fifth Black actress to win in the Best Supporting Actress category.
