Currently Browsing: Stephanie A. Taylor
Maya Angelou’s directorial debut, Down in the Delta (1998), tells a story of the Sinclair family’s history (in the tumultuous past) and solidarity (in the treacherous present). Under her insightful direction, every member of the large shines. (SAT: 4.5/5)
Maya Angelou’s directorial debut, Down in the Delta (1998) opens in a poor Chicago neighborhood where Rosa Lynn (Mary Alice) does her best to care for her drug-addicted daughter Loretta (Alfre Woodard).… read more.
Ashley O’Shay’s first feature film, Unapologetic, is a documentary that speaks volumes about the many dimensions of Black women and their vast contributions as activists to the Black Lives Matter movement. O’Shay ‘s narrative arc follows two Chicago activists: Bella Bahhs, and Janaé Bonsu.… read more.
The Black Harvest Film Festival, hosted by the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, should be starting in August. But, due to COVID-19, the festival will be virtual from November 6 through November 30. The festival, annual since 1994, recognizes independent films of international Black cultures. Director of Programming and cofounder of BHFF Barbara Scharres believes the number of entries has been fewer than previous years, mainly due to COVID-19.… read more.
The Gene Siskel Film Center held the 89th Academy Awards Nominations Panel on January 24, 2017 in Chicago. The hour-long event included J.R. Jones of the Chicago Reader, Pamela Powell of The Daily Journal, Sergio Mims of Shadow & Act, Ray Pride of New City and Dean Richards of WGN-Radio. Moderator Alison Cuddy began the panel with a warning, “If you’re coming for a civilized conversation on the joys of film that’s not what’s on deck.”… read more.
The Allstate Corporation has given the Gene Siskel Film Center a $10,000 grant for their annual Black Harvest Film Festival, a $5,000 increase from last year. This is the third year that Allstate has given the film center and 2017 marks the BHFF’s 23rd year. The grant will focus on the festival’s Youth Filmmaker Program, which allows students from middle and high school who are passionate about film to be connected with professional filmmakers.… read more.
By Senior Contributor Stephanie A. Taylor
Bassist/songwriter Gabriel Roth discovered Sharon Jones sound in 1996, a sound that oozed with the gooey goodness of vintage soul, blues and funk of the 1970s. With musical influences ranging from James Brown and Tina Turner to Aretha Franklin and Motown, Sharon Jones recorded a solo track “Switchblade,” a song that had originally been intended for a man to record, and the Dap-Kings were formed.… read more.