AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM HIGHLIGHTS
This year, DOC NYC’s selection includes an impressive line-up of African-American films.
Wilhemina’s War and BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez feature strong, charismatic female subjects: Wilhemina Dixon fights for better healthcare for her HIV positive daughter and grandchild in Wilhemina’s War. Activist Sonia Sanchez fights against racism, sexism and war through spoken word poetry in BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez. Wilhemina’s War director June Cross and subject Sonia Sanchez, plus the film’s directors, are expected to attend their respective screenings.
Activism is also featured in the world premiere of The Invaders, the story of young college students who become militant civil rights activists in 1967 Memphis. The film also explores the group’s behind-the-scenes involvement with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the decisive days leading up to his assassination. Director Prichard Smith is expected to attend.
DOC NYC’s Sonic Cinema section includes an eclectic set of African American musicians as well.
Soul singer Sharon Jones battles cancer while trying to keep her band The Dap-Kings together in director Barbara Kopple festival opener Miss Sharon Jones! Barbara Kopple and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are expected to attend the 7:30PM show, for which a limited number of tickets have just been released.
Syl Johnson: Any Way the Wind Blows chronicles the ups and downs of the retired soul singer, who never quite achieved the success he longed for – until new opportunities emerged when his 1967 song is sampled in the work of artists as diverse as Run-DMC, Michael Jackson, the Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys, A$AP Rocky, Kid Rock, Usher and Kanye West, among many others. Director Rob Hatch-Miller and subject Syl Johnson are expected to attend.
For a list of African-American films, please go here.
