Film director Rick Famuyiwa's critically acclaimed film, Dope, sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of American, will open the 19th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) on Thursday, June 11, at the SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street, NYC. With its New York City premiere, Dope is one of the buzziest and most talked about film releases of the 2015 summer season.
Dope is a coming of age comedy/drama for the post hip hop generation. High-school senior Malcolm (Shameik Moore) and his friends Jib
(Tony Revolori) and Diggy (Kiersey Clemons) bond over '90s hip-hop
culture, their studies and playing music in their own punk band. A
chance encounter with a drug dealer named Dom lands Malcolm and company
at the dealer's nightclub birthday
party; when the scene turns violent, they flee -- with the Ecstasy that
Dom secretly hid in Malcolm's backpack. A wild adventure ensues as the
youths try to evade armed thugs who want the stash.
Recently, I had the opportunity to have a sneak peek VIP screening
hosted by Open Road Films, Mack Wilds, Angela Yee and the 135th Street Agency. I found the film to be a fresh 2015 voice for a new generation that is often misunderstood. The film evoked full belly laughs and thought provoking reflection on the state of affairs for this coming of age generation. I can see why it is being hailed as a classic in the same status as Boys In The Hood. The film opens in theaters June 19th. For tickets to the American Black Film Festival (June 11 - 14, 2015) go to www.abff.com. #DOPEMOVIE Check out this video clip of the 'Dope' trailer in the 'ABFF Playlist' on the Robin Downes Network:
Starring Academy Award® Winning actress Mo’Nique and Isaiah Washington, BLACKBIRD
tells the story of seventeen-year-old Randy (Julian Walker), a devout
Christian, who, as strong as he seems on the outside, is hiding a secret
inner struggle - a denial of being gay. It is not until he opens
himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting
who you really are. The movie opens in theaters April 24, 2015. You will also be able to stream the film on UrbanMovieChannel.com
I was able to get more insight into the creative process that went into the making of BLACKBIRD provided by director, Patrik-Ian Polk (The Skinny, Noah’s Ark), at a NYC press screening hosted by Traci Blunt from RLJ Entertainment / Urban Movie Channel. After the screening, the Q & A was hosted and moderated by TheGrio.com Entertainment Editor, Christopher Witherspoon. Patrick-Ian Polk revealed that the overall theme of the film is that "God Is Love".
Additionally, in the audience was Tatyana Ali (Actress, Fresh Prince of Bel Air), who gave her passionate feedback to the director about how she related to the characters experience of awakening sexuality.
Check out the highlights from the press Q & A and hear Tatyana Ali's validation for Patrick-Ian Polk's storytelling in this video below:
Blair Underwood stars in the the dramatic thrillerWoman Thou Art Loosed: On The 7th Day which was released on DVD September 4th. The film is directed by award-winning
filmmaker Neema Barnette, produced and distributed by Codeblack Enterprises and
executive produced by T.D. Jakes for T.D.J Enterprises. Surpassing industry expectations, opening
weekend, April 13, 2012, the film earned $6,376 per screen, beating “The Hunger
Games” on average, and finished as the #1 independent feature its opening
weekend.
Today I had the opportunity to do a phone interview with
Actor, Director, Producer, Author and Fashion Line Representative -
Blair Underwood.
The focus of the interview was on his experience during the filming of the dramatic thriller, Woman Thou Art Loosed: On The 7th Day. Underwood explained to me that "New Orleans
is one of my favorite cities in the world.New Orleans, especially the French Quarter, is like a country unto itself. We shot the film in July of 2011. At this stage of my career, it is important that I do what I enjoy doing. Co-starring with a phenomenal actress, such as Sharon Lela, was also a joy. I had an incredible time."
"Working with Director, Neema Barnett, she allowed me to
direct.As an
African American director woman it is a challenge out here. She reached out to me to be a part of the project and helped me to get into
the Director’s Guild by giving me the opportunity to direct some of the scenes." Underwood said.
I asked Blair Underwood how he prepared for a very powerful emotional scene. He shared "One of the
things I appreciate about Neema as a Director is that she says, 'I’m going to
protect you guys'.We didn't have
the resources that you would have on a big budget film.With her as a director you have to rely
on her vision that this film would come out with quality.The story is a very real situation and the
fact that young black children are being kidnapped is a very real
situation right now. Society looks to men to be strong, that everyone relies on. There comes a time in life where you may breakdown.We thought it was important to see this man in his own
confines, deal with his own emotions. He was in a situation where he could not fix everything. That’s a very raw emotion. I think it's important to not see him so cool and calm or just quietly simmering. We don't have all the answers and that can lead to stress.
When asked how he personally coped with stress, Underwood proclaimed "My wife and I will be celebrating our 18th
year anniversary. We often say to our
kids, stop and breathe – take a slow deep breath.What happens is your whole body calms down and you can think more clearly about what your doing. The bigger issue is to go to your faith. What works for me, is to know that all of this is preordained. Our job is to learn the lesson. I am a Christian, I believe God has a
plan. I believe he is not going to leave us hanging. If I did not have faith as a tool, as a man, in our society... I don't have all the answers. Being able to turn it over to a higher power work for me.
On September 18th, the multi-talented Blair Underwood releases his latest book South by Southeast. The fourth installment in this award-winning mystery series draws
actor-turned-super-sleuth Tennyson Hardwick into his most challenging
case, compelling him to face the unthinkable: save his daughter or the
woman he loves.
Additional projects for Blair Underwood include a Development/Talent Holding Deal with Universal TV and his own fashion line, BU Collection for K & G Fashion
"Part of keeping your stress level down, in this business, is not having all your eggs in one basket." - Blair Underwood.
Be sure to get your DVD copy of "Woman Thou Art Loosed: 7th Day" - Check out the movie trailer:
Synopsis: This dramatic thriller
is about a husband (Underwood) and wife (Leal) who find themselves in the midst
of a crisis after their young daughter is kidnapped. The couple must race
against time to find their child, who is believed to have been abducted by a
serial killer that symbolically murders his victims ‘On the 7th Day.’ During
their desperate search, a series of deep, dark, damaging secrets unveil a
troubling past, putting the marriage and their futures in jeopardy.
