Tuesday, January 29, 2013

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH @ Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre


Huntington, New York - Three inspiring films will screen with guest speakers and receptions for Black History month at Cinema Arts Centre.

Each event: Members: $10 / Public: $15 (includes reception) Tickets can be purchased online, www.CinemaArtsCentre.org at the box office during theater hours or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave, Huntington 631-423-7610 www.CinemaArtsCentre.org

Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30pm

GUN HILL ROAD

In Person: Filmmaker, Rashaad Ernesto Green

Writer/director Rashaad Ernesto Green’s first feature film is an intricate portrait of a family divided told with sensitivity, gentle humor, and a deep understanding of the environment that shapes its people

Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30pm

BEAT STREET

In Person: DJ Kool Herc and GrandMaster Mele Mel

Don’t miss this rare screening of the landmark hip-hop classic with two of the movement’s legends in person!

Thursday, February 28 at 7:30pm

MUMIA: Long Distance Revolutionary

Live via Skype: Filmmaker Stephen Vittoria

A brilliant new documentary about America’s most famous political prisoner

More about the movies:

Gun Hill Road

A film by writer/director Rashaad Ernesto Green, Gun Hill Road was a finalist for the esteemed Jury Award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Starring Esai Morales (La Bamba, "Caprica") and Judy Reyes ("Scrubs"), and introducing Harmony Santana.

Gun Hill Road is the story of a family in transition. It is the story of a young man exploring his sexuality in an intolerant and judgmental world and his exploration’s impact on his relationship with his parents and himself. After three years in prison, Enrique (Esai Morales) returns home to the Bronx to find the world he knew has changed. His wife, Angela (Judy Reyes), struggles to hide an emotional affair, and his teenage son, Michael (Harmony Santana), explores a sexual transformation well beyond Enrique’s grasp and understanding.
Unable to accept his child, Enrique clings to his mas­culine ideals while Angela attempts to hold the family together by protecting Michael. Still under the watchful eye of his parole officer (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.), Enrique must become the father he needs to be or, once again, risk los­ing his family and freedom. Can a father’s fierce love for his family overcome his street-hardened ideas about manhood and end the vicious cycle controlling his life? Writer/director Rashaad Ernesto Green’s first feature film is an intricate portrait of a family divided told with sensitivity, gentle humor, and a deep understanding of the environment that shapes its people. (USA, 2011, 86 min., color, Blu-ray • Director/Writer: Rashaad Ernesto Green • Cast: Esai Morales, Harmony Santana, Judy Reyes, Isiah Whitlock, Jr. • 2011 Sundance Film Festival

Beat Street

Widely considered the most influential hip-hop movie of all time, this “gritty, streetwise musical”(LA Herald-Examiner) features a who’s who of the move­ment’s early stars DJ Kool Herc, GrandMaster Melle Mel, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, and Afrika Bambaataa as well as the famous Rocky Steady Crew vs. New York City Breakers battle at the Roxy. Uniting the four ele­ments of hip-hop, breakdancing, DJ-ing, MC-ing and graffiti into an unfor­gettable experience, Beat Street is a true classic, packed with sharp lyrics, powerful moves and the flashiest dance sets the screen has ever seen! When rapper-DJ Kenny (Guy Davis) meets cultured jazz artist Tracy (Rae Dawn Chong), he is so inspired by her dedication that he vows to use his talents to escape the ghetto. But when his friend, a gifted graffiti artist, is killed in a tragic accident, Kenny comes face to face with the high price of artistic passion. Produced by Harry Belafonte with performances by Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five and a Bronx gospel choir, and backed by dancers and breakdancers. (USA, 1984, 105 min., color)

MUMIA: Long Distance Revolutionary

Before he was convicted of murdering a policeman in 1981 and sentenced to die, Mumia Abu-Jamal was a gifted journalist and brilliant writer. Now after more than 30 years in prison and de­spite attempts to silence him, Mumia is not only still alive but continuing to report, educate, provoke and inspire.

Stephen Vittoria’s new feature documentary is an inspiring portrait of a man whom many consider America’s most famous political prisoner - a man whose existence tests our beliefs about freedom of expression. Through prison interviews, archival footage, and dramatic readings, and aided by a potent chorus of voices including Cornel West, Alice Walker, Dick Gregory, Angela Davis, Amy Goodman, Ruby Dee, Tariq Ali, Peter Coyote, Rubin Hurricane Carter and others, this riveting film explores Mumia’s life before, during and after Death Row - revealing, in the words of Angela Davis, “the most eloquent and most powerful opponent of the death penalty in the world...the 21st Century Frederick Douglass.”

(USA, 2012, 120 min., color, Blu-ray • Director/Writer: Stephen Vittoria • Co-Producer: Noelle Hanrahan)

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