American Movie

Dir. Chris Smith, 1999, 107 min.

"American Movie" centers on a low-budget horror-film buff named Mark Borchardt, who grew up on such horror classics as "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Night of the Living Dead". Now in his late twenties, he has decided to make the ultimate horror opus in the form of an indie feature entitled "Northwestern", the scariest film ever made in his Wisconsin town. Filled with determination and passion (and very little else), this documentary follows Mark for a year and a half in the making of "Northwestern". The audience sees Mark fending off creditors, including the IRS, and avoiding child support payments so he can make this direct-to-video flick. His efforts to round up cast and crew are disastrous, as there is nobody in his town who shares his knowledge and passion for moviemaking. Eventually, he decides to star in his film and wears a dozen crew members' hats as writer, producer, director, cameraman, editor, and soundman. "American Movie" follows this man with a dream to his dying uncle's trailer park, where he raises three thousand dollars. Unable to make an entire feature for that price, he scraps the idea in exchange for completing one of his many abandoned short films, "Coven", which also premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. The end is a world premiere as satisfying as getting accepted into Sundance.

Demon Lover Diary

Dir. Joel Demott, 1980, 90 min.

Don and Jerry, factory workers who grew up on comic books and B-movies, are fulfilling a lifetime dream: they're producing their own low-budget horror movie. Jeff and Joel, lovers and cinema-verité filmmakers, and a friend of theirs named Mark have come out to Michigan to help the dream come true: they're shooting "The Demon Lover" for Don and Jerry. Two weeks after production starts, Jeff and Joel and Mark are fleeing Michigan, bullets ricocheting off the car, lives and a complete record of the events in jeopardy. The subject of this film isn't just the ups-and-downs of making a horror movie, it's about cultural snobbery, the disintegration of friendship, puppy love, violence, boredom, money... A diary about encountering the Midwest when you're from someplace else.

Document of the Dead

Dir. Roy Frumkes, 1985, 83 min.

Filmed in 1978 during the shooting of George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead" (1979), the documentary "Document of the Dead" was originally intended as a teaching aid for a film school class taught by filmmaker Roy Frumkes. However, a decade later Frumkes commercially released "Document of the Dead" after returning to shoot extra footage of George Romero making "Two Evil Eyes" (1990). "Document of the Dead" serves as a fascinating profile of Romero, covering not only "Dawn of the Dead" and "Two Evil Eyes", but also "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) and to a lesser extent "Martin" (1976). The film offers many fascinating glimpses into the quiet-spoken and at times shy Romero and the process whereby he works. It covers the myriad problems that were presented by shooting "Dawn of the Dead" in a mall. Romero discusses the problems of funding and distributing his films and offers some interesting reflections on the indie film since "Dawn of the Dead". We also get to watch cult makeup effects artist Tom Savini at work.

Director Roy Frumkes in attendance

Best Worst Movie

Dir. Michael Stephenson, 2009, 91 min.

Troll 2 star Michael Stephenson steps behind the camera to explore the phenomenon behind the low-budget Italian-produced horror sequel that young movie fanatics have christened "the Rocky Horror of our generation" in this documentary that proves just because a movie is awful, doesn't mean that it won't find an audience. Twenty years ago, a group of inexperienced Utah actors teamed with an Italian-speaking production crew to shoot Troll 2. At the time it seemed like the production was a complete fiasco; little did they realize that they were making cinematic history. Flash forward two decades, when Troll 2 is playing to packed theaters across America, and fans of the film get the unique opportunity to find out just how this messterpiece came to be. Can director Claudio Fragaso come to terms with the fact that his biggest failure has since defined his cinematic legacy? And what ever became of the Alabama dentist-turned cult-icon who delivered the immortal line, "You can't piss on hospitality!" Discover the answer to both of these questions and more as Troll 2 star Stephenson reveals why the film that should have been a forgettable horror sequel is still being celebrated twenty years later.

Director (and child star of Troll 2) Michael Stephenson in attendanc

A Duty to Protect

Co-presented by Witness

Dir. Witness, 2005, 14min.

 The widespread recruitment and use of child solders in the Democratic Republic of Congo is unparalleled throughout Africa -- tens of thousands of children have been recruited as combatants in the current conflict. A Duty to Protect advocates for an end to the impunity in Congo and accountability for the crimes committed against children.

Reporter

 Dir. Eric Daniel Metzgar, 2009, 90min.

Reporter Nicholas Kristof travels to the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate the growing humanitarian crisis.

Panel discussion featuring filmmaker Eric Daniel Metzgar, Mohamed Keita (Committee to Protect Journalists), journalist Makeda Crane and Bukeni Waruzi (Witness) to follow screening + closing night reception featuring a musical performance by Deja Belle.

Reporter

Dir. Eric Daniel Metzgar, 2009, 90min.

Reporter Nicholas Kristof travels to the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate the growing humanitarian crisis.

Panel discussion featuring filmmaker Eric Daniel Metzgar, Mohamed Keita (Committee to Protect Journalists), journalist Makeda Crane and Bukeni Waruzi (Witness) to follow screening

Closing night reception featuring a musical performance by Deja Belle.

La Vie Est Belle (Life is Rosy)

Co-presented by the Georges Malaika Foundation

Dir. Mweze Ngangura and Benoit Lamy, 1987, 80min.

 Legendary Congolese musician Papa Wemba plays a poor country boy with music in his heart and big dreams. He travels to the city, where he falls in love with second wife of a prominent club owner. Can he win her hand and fulfill his dreams of being as singer?

 Panel discussion to follow screening.

Jupiter's Dance

Dir. Renaud Barret and Florent de La Tullaye, 2006, 73min.

An exhilarating jaunt through the streets of Kinshasa to meet musicians who struggle to emerge from the chaos. Jupiter, the charismatic leader of the band Okwess International, serves as the film’s guide as he describes his city and his long battle to break out of the ghetto with his music.

Les Vulnerables

Dir. Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt, 2007, 14 min.

 A coming of age story about a schoolboy who tries to prove his manhood to his wheelchair-bound father by helping him smuggle goods over the border between Congo and Rwanda.

 Q&A with director Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt to follow screening.

Afro@Digital

Dir. Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda, 2003, 52 min.

 An exploration of how digital technology is changing the landscape of African art and culture, and how it can be used to serve the interest of Africa at large.

 Panel discussion with director Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda, Richard Peña (Program Director, Film Society of Lincoln Center) and Lubangi Muniania (Tabilulu Productions) to follow screening.

African Pygmy Thrills

Dir. Eugene W. Castle, 1930s, 10min.

 An amazing study of a pygmy community building a vine-bridge 50 feet above a crocodile infested river. Warner Herzog cites this film as the impetus for embarking on a career in film.

Matamata & Pilipili

Dir. Tristan Bourland, 1997, 58 min.

 A rare glimpse at some of the earliest films shot in Congo, revealing the complex terrain of colonial relationships, media representations, and popular culture.

Women in War Zones

Co-Presented by V-Day

 Dir. Scott Blanding and Brad LaBriola, 2009, 51min.

 A touching look into the lives of two young women who become sisters as they recover from sexual violence at Panzi Hospital.

 Discussion with filmmakers Brad LaBriola & Greg Heller, Eve Ensler (V-Day), author Yaa-Lengi Ngemi, Aningina Tshefu Bibiane (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom), moderated by journalist Jimmie Briggs to follow screening + reception sponsored by Sylvia’s Restaurant.

Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival 2009 Curated by Angel L. Brown

10:00am – 1:00pm 

Brunch with Black Queer Writers               

Continental style brunch with screenwriters and authors including booking signings.

CD's Cakes Sponsored Event

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Closing Film:

Anacostia (New York Premiere)                     

Anthony Anderson, Web/TV Series, 2009, 80 min.

From the Writer and Producer of the award winning Independent Film The Ties That Bind comes an independent web series like no other. Anacostia the series follows the lives of four friends as they navigate life and love.

The director and cast will be in attendance

3:00pm- 4:00pm                       

Queer Black Cinema Awards Ceremony

Sunday, Oct. 18

7:00 pm

Co-Presented by Friends of the Congo

Mobutu, King of Zaire

Dir. Thierry Michel, 1999, 135 min.

 Following two years of investigation, this documentary charts the amazing life Congo’s eponymous dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko.

Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival 2009 Curated by Angel L. Brown

 HARLEM: Shorts Showcase sponsored by Women Make Movies  

12:30pm-1:30pm  

Take The Gay Train

Robert Philipson, 2008, 14 min.

Gay sensibility during the Harlem Renaissance is charted through a poetic use of historical stills, contemporary filmmaking, scholarly accuracy, and music of the period.

B.D Woman

Campbell , 1994, 20 min.

B.D. WOMEN is a wonderful celebration of the history and culture of Black lesbians. Lively interviews feature Black women talking candidly about their sexual and racial identities. These contemporary views are cleverly interwoven with a dramatized love story, set in the 1920s, in which a sultry romance develops between a gorgeous jazz singer and her stylish butch lover. B.D. WOMEN rewrites the vanished history of Black lesbians' lives in an eloquent and entertaining way.

 Storme: The Lady of The Jewel Box

Michelle Parkerson

1987, 21 min.

“It ain’t easy…being green” is the favorite expression of Storme DeLarverie, a woman whose life flouted prescriptions of gender and race. During the 1950’s and 60’s she toured the black theater circuit as a mistress of ceremonies and the sole male impersonator of the legendary Jewel Box Revue, America’s first integrated female impersonation show and forerunner of La Cage aux Folles. Through archival clips from the past, STORME looks back on the grandeur of the Jewel Box Revue and its celebration of pure entertainment in the face of homophobia and segregation.

Q&A with special guest – TBA

  1:30pm  – 3:35pm

Mississippi Damned      

Tina Mabry, 2009, 120 min

What's swept under the rug rarely stays hidden. Taking place in 1986 and 1998 and based on a true story, three poor, black kids in rural Mississippi suffer the consequences of their family's cycle of abuse, addiction, and violence. They independently struggle to escape their circumstances and must decide whether to confront what has plagued their family for generations or succumb to the same crippling fate, forever damned in Mississippi.                      

3:00pm – 5:00pm                        

Tribute to LGBT Youth of Color

A Tribute to LGBT Youth of color who were killed due to a homophobic hate crimes.  This tribute will take place outside, in front of Maysles Cinema. There will be performances from the Lavender Light Gospel Choir including spoken word performances. Kenyon Farrow plus other community leaders will be speak including some organizations and family members of some of the victims. The tribute also includes a march around the block. This will be a peaceful march in remembrance of the fallen angel from around the world.

 5:00pm – 6:30pm  

Queer Youth of Color Cinema Series presents

Christopher Street

Steven E. Martinez, Dwight O’Neal, 2009, 60 min.

Christopher Street is a new independently produced gay television series. The show shares the lives of Chris and his diverse group of friends Jharemy, Ashton, and Shawn. These young men deal with troubles that range from relationship issues, sexual identity, self-love, abuse, HIV/AIDS, and acceptance not only from the world, but from themselves.

Q&A with Dwight O’ Neal & Steven E. Martinez

6:30pm – 9:00pm        

Finding Me

Roger S. Omeus Jr, 2008, 115 min.

Faybien Allen (RayMartell Moore) sorely lacks direction in life. His overbearing, homophobic father certainly doesn’t help his self-esteem, but life takes a sharp turn when Faybien is hit on by Lonnie (Derrick L. Briggs), the hunky, self-assured guy he keeps encountering at the bus stop. A true labor of love shot on a shoestring budget over the course of a dozen weekends, Finding Me marks the discovery of a promising and humanistic new film. 

Q&A with Roger S. Omeus

This screening is sponsored by TLA Releasing | OME Productions, LLC

9:00pm – 11:00pm                  

Family

Faith Trimel, 2008, 109 min.

A group of 30-something lesbians, friends through much already, make a pact to finally come out. The idea is greeted with varying degrees of enthusiasm but, after a series of eye-opening incidents that throw the effects of not coming out into sharp relief, they go to it with surprising results. 

Q&A with Faith Trimel

Up the Ridge

F.R.E.E. Film Forum, Dir. Nick Szuberla and Amelia Kirby, 2008, 60 min.

Up the Ridge is a one-hour television documentary produced by Nick Szuberla and Amelia Kirby. In 1999 Szuberla and Kirby were volunteer DJ’s for the Appalachian region’s only hip-hop radio program in Whitesburg, KY when they received hundreds of letters from inmates transferred into nearby Wallens Ridge, the region’s newest prison built to prop up the shrinking coal economy. The letters described human rights violations and racial tension between staff and inmates. Filming began that year and, though the lens of Wallens Ridge State Prison, the program offers viewers an in-depth look at the United States prison industry and the social impact of moving hundreds of thousands of inner-city minority offenders to distant rural outposts. The film explores competing political agendas that align government policy with human rights violations, and political expediencies that bring communities into racial and cultural conflict with tragic consequences. Connections exist, in both practice and ideology, between human rights violations in Abu Ghraib and physical and sexual abuse recorded in American prisons.

Keeling's Caribbean Showcase

Dir. Stephanie Black

Life & Debt

 Rollin with the Nines

Up In the Attic

Kamal Imani, 2009, 72 Minutes

Up in the Attic is a coming of age story about a group of popular teenagers in the New Jersey suburbs in the 1980’s hip hop era. They were influenced by various potent societal elements which included Hip Hop, Africentricity, The 5% Nation of Gods and Earths and the societal elements of drugs, sex and peer pressure which is common to many American teens. The film is laced with comedy, strong language and content, youthful energy and colorful characters. It will serve as an excellent tool for inter-generational dialogue.

Lumo

 Co-presented by Human Rights Watch Film Festival & HEAL Africa

Filmmakers: Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt, Nelson Walker, Lynn True, Louis Abelman, 2007, 72min.

 An intimate portrait of Lumo Sinai, a young Congolese woman on an uncertain road to recovery at a unique hospital for rape survivors.

 Discussion with filmmakers, Carrie Crawford (Director, Friends of the Congo) and Hon. Dr. Kasereka “Jo” Lusi & Lyn Lusi (Founders, HEAL Africa Hospital) to follow screening + reception featuring poetry by Toni Blackman.