Coming To Theatres November 2, 2007
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African American Film Critics Present New WorkshopThe African American Film Critics Association recently is offering film festival organizers an excellent new workshop that will provide great added value to new and veteran film makers. Called, “The Art of Critiquing Film,” the workshop provides comprehensive insights covering the technical and creative elements filmmakers should consider before presenting their work to the press. For booking information, visit http://www.aafca.com/.
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We've always told you a new Hollywood had arrived, this past weekend's box office confirms our foresight. Join us as we keep documenting the era. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Issue #89.
OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD IS BLACK THE NEW WHITE?...The talk of the town in many circles this week was a recent article by veteran industry journalist Steven Zeitchik declaring that due to a variety of business successes coupled with Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? topping the box office last weekend (and beating out such Hollywood golden boys as Clooney and Wahlberg) that Black films are now officially "in fashion." This "discovery" is something Black Hollywood has been trying to convince the industry of for years and just further evidence that diversity raises profitability. The sticking point may still be, however, this nonsense about viability overseas. How quickly some forget what prestigious international community gave Spike Lee its blessing early on before even mainstream US caught on (Cannes), and the undeniable point that it's all about the story rather than the level of melanin. Heck, if Stiller's "Dodgeball" could be paraded out overseas and tank (primarily because the rest of the world doesn't even play or have any knowledge of the game), The A-List thinks there should be more domestic and international light given to the appropriate "urban" flicks. 'Nuff said.
RETRO REEL...Hot casting agent Winsome Sinclair tells us she's 
currently casting parts for the upcoming Lee Daniels (pictured) feature, Push. The multicultural drama is based on the bestselling book by Urban novelist Sapphire and takes a unique look at life in the '80s. And from the casting call it sounds like this will definitely not be your a stereotypical flick. Here's what they're looking for: very, very thin men and women; overweight women, men and children; drag queens; transvestites; and African-American and Latino high school students. Judging from the films Daniels has produced (The Woodsman, Monster's Ball, Shadowboxer), we're sure we'll be in for an eye-popping ride with the indie Push when it premieres in 2008.
STYLE & SUBSTANCE?...Fashion stylists to the stars Terrell Jones and Dhalimu Robinson, along with executive producers One Source Media Group and Paige Inc., are the powers behind a new reality program entitled “Style Aficionados," which will launch on Turner Network's newest media content website, VOLUME.com. The short-form series follows the "very hectic and always fabulous lives" of Jones and Robinson. Featured guests so far on the show include singer Mya and Hip-Hop chart topper Lil Mama. Look for it before the end of the year.
I AM AFRICA...Michael Douglas, Mia Farrow and Tim Robbins have already committed, but no signs just yet of any major Black celebs who will take part in a special tour with the Mizero Troupe (www.mizerochildren.org/), a unique group comprised of Rwandan children who will come to the U.S. as cultural ambassadors starting this month. Through dance, song and drumming, the troupe hopes to raise awareness of the plight of children in Rwanda, as well as raise donations. Here's hoping the love spreads to include a more diverse group of celeb supporters before this event jumps off.
SONG IN HER HEART...The movie is still filming, yet we're getting word that the soundtrack to the beloved off-Broadway brand turned Hollywood flick Mama I Want To Sing will be hot, with a particular spotlight on a track by gospel songwriter Loren McGhee (The Clarke Sisters, Michelle Williams). And it doesn't stop there. Top recording artists--and the film's stars--such as Ciara and Patti LaBelle will be featured on the CD. Ben Vereen; Billy Zane; Diddy's ex, Kim Porter; and Hill Harper have all been cast in the Charles Randolph-Wright ("Melrose Place," "Falcon's Crest') directed flick for Codeblack Entertainment. Look and listen for more Mama in 2008.
Missing the Point...The Center for The Advancement of Women honored Hollywood vet Suzanne de Passe and Emmy Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson, among others earlier this week at the organization's annual benefit event in New York. The hot topic that night: songs that denigrate women. But with de Passe and Tyson on hand, seems that a more fitting agenda would have been the lack of diverse roles, exec positions for Black women and deals for Black female entrepreneurs in media and Hollywood instead, wouldn't it?
THEY'RE BACK...Remember the controversial Eddie Murphy creation “The PJs" (1999-2000) about a Black family living in the projects? Well, the thrice-Primetime Emmy winning animated series will pop up on TV One's schedule in reruns starting Nov. 5. Considering the uproar the series created the first time around, this addition may just give TV One some more publicity. According to Jeff Meier, TV One SVP of Programming Strategy and Acquisitions, it was a no-brainer. "TV One is so excited to be presenting the first off-network run of the 'The PJs' to our viewers," he says. "Our research tells us that African-American adults love smart animated programming, and even after a few years off the air, 'The PJs' still feels innovative, fresh and funny, and--it's got Eddie Murphy!" In other TV One news, the little cable network that could just reported it has surpassed the 40 million mark in total household subscribers. Not bad for the three-year-old Black-owned network.
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HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD
THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR ...Everyone inside the Hip-Hop community has suspected for years the U.S. government's possible hand in trying to destroy the genre. Now comes further confirmation of infiltration. Following an L.A. screening last week of the new documentary film Tupac: Assassination - Conspiracy or Revenge?, which will be released on DVD on Oct. 23, ex-Death Row Records bodyguard and the rap artist's would-be protector Kevin Hackie, admitted he was an undercover FBI agent during his employment at Death Row from 1992 to 1996. Some may also say that in light of the recent arrest of platinum rap artist and American Gangster star T.I. last week after his own bodyguard turned informant, that it may not be long before we hear the same admission from him. Maybe it's about time for a sit-down with or regarding the FBI/CIA and Hip Hop. Hip Hop Summit Action Network, this should be right up your alley. You'd think the feds would have bigger fish to fry.Pushing Weight...We love it when a Hollywood heavyweight and Hip-Hop heavyweight hook up. Outkast's Big Boi has teamed with Will Smith to develop a new television comedy titled "Uncle Rudy." Smith's Overbrook Entertainment will develop the half-hour series to be pitched to a number of networks. Details are sketchy; but as soon as we learn more, we'll let you know.
NEWS
LOCAL TV COMING TO MOBILE PHONES
Local broadcasters have recently announced that they are planning to beam the stations to cellphones, video iPods, in-car DVD players and other gadgets that would be equipped with TV tuners. The high-quality digital broadcasts likely would start after the transition to digital TV ends in 2009. Currently, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint offer video services on cellphones, at a cost of $10-$25 monthly. In March, Verizon launched a Qualcomm, a service that simulcasts prime-time network shows. The local stations plan to charge less, but consumers would need a video-equipped device that has a chip with a TV tuner.
FILM FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT
TURKS & CAICOS International FILM FESTIVAL: TALKING WITH JASMINE GUY, Executive Director
This week, Turks & Caicos Prime Minister Michael Misick and his wife, actress Lisa Raye, will present The Turks & Caicos International Film Festival. An international gathering, the festival distinguishes itself from others with its focus on films that incorporate music as a key component of the final product. The A List recently spoke to the festival’s executive director, actress/filmmaker Jasmine Guy.
How did you get involved with the film festival?
I met Michael Misick at the Trumpet Awards in Atlanta, and he began to tell me about his country and how he wanted Black America to be a part of his mission with Turks & Caicos. So I mentioned to him that I would be interested in working with him to advance cultural exchange; and our relationship just grew from there…After inviting me and my husband to the island for a visit, he asked if I would be interested in helping him execute the film festival, and, after asking my husband to partner with me, I said yes. I also asked producer Karolyn Ali to partner with us to handle some of the logistics connected with the festival’s activities.
With so many film festivals are out there, how is Turks & Caicos different?
One of the distinctive things about our festival is that all of our movies are related to music in some way. We really give special attention to how well filmmakers mesh music into cinema.
Who are the special honorees at this year’s event?
Our Sal Del Mar Awards this year will honor Amanda Bynes with the Rising Star Award, Mos Def with the Tour de Force Award, Marc Shaiman with the Composer’s Excellence Award, and Mani Ratnam with the Director’s Excellence Award. We will also present awards to films in the Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Documentary, Best Song and Best Score categories. We also have some great panels this year that include sessions in film financing, distribution and the importance of music in cinema. Some of our special guests this year include: choreographer Fatima Robinson, filmmaker John Singleton the producers of El Cantante producers and industry veteran Carolyn McDonald.
What criterion goes into selecting films that make it into the film festival?
We consider a lot of things when making the selections for our films. What’s key is the level of technical professionalism applied to each project. The millions of dollars and all the razzle and dazzle can come later; what we’re looking for are filmmakers who have a command of the art form...We want to see work that speaks to humanity and also incorporate the “flavor” of the filmmaker. Interesting dialogue is also important. It’s important that filmmakers give films “color” that reflect the sensibilities of the filmmaker. Of course, music is a driving theme of the films that we select, so how that is incorporated into a project is very important to us when we make our final selection.
So given your history of success in entertainment, what advice would you like to give to filmmakers?
I would recommend that they work on every aspect of the craft. All of the other things are not as important as making sure that you have characters that fill the screen. If they don’t, then you will lose your audience. It’s important to remember that your audience has to buy it; so my advice is to make sure you have a good screenwriter who works with you to make sure that your characters are developed and connect with the audience.
FESTIVAL FACTS
What: The Turks & Caicos International Film Festival
When: Oct. 16-21
Website: www.tciff.com
SPECIAL EVENT COVERAGEBET HIP HOP AWARDS: TAKE 2
SPOTTED
Lynn Whitfield, Meschach Taylor, Debi Morgan and Anna Maria Horsford checkin' out the opening performance of Full Moon Blues!, the new musical starring Blues and Broadway legend Linda Hopkins at Jewel's Room in L.A.
Doctors for Africa (www.usdfa.org) presented its 1st Annual New York Gala Benefi
t Cipriani Wall honoring philanthropists, including Russell Simmons. The evening also featured a live auction and four-course gourmet dinner, with proceeds benefitting USDFA’s proposed $70 million Mobile Clinic Initiative. On hand: The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. AlhajiAliu Mahama; screenwriter John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle); USDFA founder/CEO Ted Alemayhu; Leighton Meister (co-star of “Gossip Girl”); director Brett Ratner; Shon Gables (host,“Black Enterprise Business Report”); cast members of “Guiding Light”: Ricky Paull Goldin, Nicole Forrester, Michelle Ray Smith, Jessica Leccia, Caitlin Zandt, Marcy Rylan; and Rachel Smith (Miss USA2007).
LL Cool J (right) whispers to Common.
t Cipriani Wall honoring philanthropists, including Russell Simmons. The evening also featured a live auction and four-course gourmet dinner, with proceeds benefitting USDFA’s proposed $70 million Mobile Clinic Initiative. On hand: The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. AlhajiAliu Mahama; screenwriter John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle); USDFA founder/CEO Ted Alemayhu; Leighton Meister (co-star of “Gossip Girl”); director Brett Ratner; Shon Gables (host,“Black Enterprise Business Report”); cast members of “Guiding Light”: Ricky Paull Goldin, Nicole Forrester, Michelle Ray Smith, Jessica Leccia, Caitlin Zandt, Marcy Rylan; and Rachel Smith (Miss USA2007).
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