The title of Elvis Mitchell’s documentary “Is That Black Enough for You?!?” is a rallying cry heard in Ossie Davis’ “Cotton Comes to Harlem,” and it reflects the exuberant tone of this very wide-ranging, essayistic tribute to the Black-centered movies of the 1970s.
Mitchell describes his intentions on the soundtrack and says that this film is an examination of how “one decade forever changed the movies and me.” Though we never see him on screen, it is Mitchell’s voice guiding us throughout, and that voice is never less than lively, witty and provocative.
Premiering at the New York Film Festival on its way to Netflix, “Is That Black Enough for You?!?” runs 135 minutes and takes in an enormous amount of material; Mitchell’s insights into any particular film or subject have to be both brief and acute, and this suits Mitchell perfectly, because he has always been a...
Mitchell describes his intentions on the soundtrack and says that this film is an examination of how “one decade forever changed the movies and me.” Though we never see him on screen, it is Mitchell’s voice guiding us throughout, and that voice is never less than lively, witty and provocative.
Premiering at the New York Film Festival on its way to Netflix, “Is That Black Enough for You?!?” runs 135 minutes and takes in an enormous amount of material; Mitchell’s insights into any particular film or subject have to be both brief and acute, and this suits Mitchell perfectly, because he has always been a...
- 10/10/2022
- by Dan Callahan
- The Wrap
Like so many indie filmmakers of the late 20th century, Ayoka Chenzira is not as well-known as she should be, nor has she made as many films as her talent warrants. But the ones she’s made remain impactful.
Her short “Hair Piece: A Film for Nappyheaded People” is celebrated as a first from a Black woman animator, and its focus on Black hair remains as timely as ever. And now “Alma’s Rainbow,” her 1994 feature-film debut centered on Black womanhood, returns to US theaters in a new 4K restoration.
Written, directed and produced by Chenzira — who has gone on to guide a new generation of filmmakers and new-media creators at Spelman for more than 20 years — “Alma’s Rainbow” captures the dynamic between mother and daughter during a pivotal turning point in the younger woman’s life. Like Leslie Harris’s debut feature, 1992’ “Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.,” “Alma’s Rainbow” is...
Her short “Hair Piece: A Film for Nappyheaded People” is celebrated as a first from a Black woman animator, and its focus on Black hair remains as timely as ever. And now “Alma’s Rainbow,” her 1994 feature-film debut centered on Black womanhood, returns to US theaters in a new 4K restoration.
Written, directed and produced by Chenzira — who has gone on to guide a new generation of filmmakers and new-media creators at Spelman for more than 20 years — “Alma’s Rainbow” captures the dynamic between mother and daughter during a pivotal turning point in the younger woman’s life. Like Leslie Harris’s debut feature, 1992’ “Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.,” “Alma’s Rainbow” is...
- 7/28/2022
- by Ronda Racha Penrice
- The Wrap
Taurean Blacque, best known for his role on the hit 1980s NBC drama “Hill Street Blues,” died Thursday at the age of 82, his son Rodney Middleton announced on Facebook.
In his post, Middleton shared photos of his father in character as Washington, with his trademark newsboy cap and toothpick-bearing grin. He wrote in the caption, “Thank you all for your prayers, calls and texts to me and my family. My father pass[ed] away today At 2:52 pm est.”
Blacque was one of the few regulars who stayed with the Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll series for its entire run. In 1982, he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. It was a landmark year for “Hill Street Blues,” which also saw nominations for Michael Conrad, Michael Warren, Bruce Weitz, Charles Haid in the supporting category, with Conrad taking homing the Emmy for his role as Sgt.
In his post, Middleton shared photos of his father in character as Washington, with his trademark newsboy cap and toothpick-bearing grin. He wrote in the caption, “Thank you all for your prayers, calls and texts to me and my family. My father pass[ed] away today At 2:52 pm est.”
Blacque was one of the few regulars who stayed with the Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll series for its entire run. In 1982, he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. It was a landmark year for “Hill Street Blues,” which also saw nominations for Michael Conrad, Michael Warren, Bruce Weitz, Charles Haid in the supporting category, with Conrad taking homing the Emmy for his role as Sgt.
- 7/21/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Tanya Kersey, an entrepreneur and entertainment journalist who founded the Hollywood Black Film Festival, died Monday of cardiac arrest in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Her daughters Brittany Love and Monique Love, and sister Lisa M. Kersey confirmed the news on Facebook. She was 61.
In a tribute, Lisa M. Kersey wrote that her sister had “been battling multiple health issues for many years” before she “passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.”
“She was a fighter and fought a long hard battle with dignity & grace,” she added.
Also Read:
Rebecca Balding, ‘Soap’ and ‘Charmed’ Actress, Dies at 73
In 1998, Kersey founded and became executive director of the Hollywood Black Film Festival, an annual event that brings together established and up-and-coming Black independent filmmakers. Dubbed “The Black Sundance,” Hbff has counted Sidney Poitier, Forest Whitaker, Sanaa Lathan, Ice-t, John Singleton, Tim Story, Malcolm Lee, Bill Duke, Devon Franklin, George Tillman, Blair Underwood, Loretta Devine,...
In a tribute, Lisa M. Kersey wrote that her sister had “been battling multiple health issues for many years” before she “passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.”
“She was a fighter and fought a long hard battle with dignity & grace,” she added.
Also Read:
Rebecca Balding, ‘Soap’ and ‘Charmed’ Actress, Dies at 73
In 1998, Kersey founded and became executive director of the Hollywood Black Film Festival, an annual event that brings together established and up-and-coming Black independent filmmakers. Dubbed “The Black Sundance,” Hbff has counted Sidney Poitier, Forest Whitaker, Sanaa Lathan, Ice-t, John Singleton, Tim Story, Malcolm Lee, Bill Duke, Devon Franklin, George Tillman, Blair Underwood, Loretta Devine,...
- 7/20/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Tanya Kersey, founder of the Hollywood Black Film Festival, died Monday of cardiac arrest in in Rancho Cucamonga, California. She was 61.
Her death was announced by her daughters Monique Love and Brittany Love and sister Lisa M. Kersey on Facebook. According to her family,Kersey had been battling multiple health issues for many years and “passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.”
Prior to founding the film festival in 1998 and serving as its executive director, Kersey was the founder and CEO of the entertainment industry trade publication Black Talent News and its website BlackTalentNews.com. She had previously been an entertainment journalist for various publications.
Kersey also founded The Kersey Group, a boutique film consulting firm.
The Hollywood Black Film Festival was an annual celebration of Black cinema designed to draw together established and rising filmmakers, popular film and television stars, writers, industry executives, emerging artists and diverse audiences...
Her death was announced by her daughters Monique Love and Brittany Love and sister Lisa M. Kersey on Facebook. According to her family,Kersey had been battling multiple health issues for many years and “passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.”
Prior to founding the film festival in 1998 and serving as its executive director, Kersey was the founder and CEO of the entertainment industry trade publication Black Talent News and its website BlackTalentNews.com. She had previously been an entertainment journalist for various publications.
Kersey also founded The Kersey Group, a boutique film consulting firm.
The Hollywood Black Film Festival was an annual celebration of Black cinema designed to draw together established and rising filmmakers, popular film and television stars, writers, industry executives, emerging artists and diverse audiences...
- 7/20/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Tanya Kersey, founder of the Hollywood Black Film Festival, has died. She was 61.
Kersey died Monday of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Rancho Cucamonga, California, her daughter Monique told The Hollywood Reporter. She had faced a number of health issues over the years.
Kersey launched the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 1998. The event, which celebrates Black cinema by bringing together established talents and up-and-coming indie creatives, gained traction in the entertainment industry and was dubbed the “Black Sundance” in its early years. The Hbff has screened more than 1,000 independent films from the U.S. and 25 other countries.
The festival became a key event for Hollywood’s Black community, and notable attendees included Sidney Poitier, Forest Whitaker, John Singleton, Tim Story, Malcolm Lee, Bill Duke, Devon Franklin, George Tillman, Ice-t, Blair Underwood, Sanaa Lathan, Loretta Devine, Debra Martin Chase and Antwone Fisher.
Born...
Tanya Kersey, founder of the Hollywood Black Film Festival, has died. She was 61.
Kersey died Monday of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Rancho Cucamonga, California, her daughter Monique told The Hollywood Reporter. She had faced a number of health issues over the years.
Kersey launched the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 1998. The event, which celebrates Black cinema by bringing together established talents and up-and-coming indie creatives, gained traction in the entertainment industry and was dubbed the “Black Sundance” in its early years. The Hbff has screened more than 1,000 independent films from the U.S. and 25 other countries.
The festival became a key event for Hollywood’s Black community, and notable attendees included Sidney Poitier, Forest Whitaker, John Singleton, Tim Story, Malcolm Lee, Bill Duke, Devon Franklin, George Tillman, Ice-t, Blair Underwood, Sanaa Lathan, Loretta Devine, Debra Martin Chase and Antwone Fisher.
Born...
- 7/20/2022
- by Abid Rahman and Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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