I had been hoping to see this film for almost a year, since it was released. And thankfully, I was not disappointed in the long wait. Medicine for Melancholy begins, as as a young man and woman awaken from a one night stand, after a party. Both vaguely remember the night before, as the woman, Angela is in a hurry to forget, while the man, Micah is hoping for something more. The couple then share a cab to their respective homes, where upon exiting, Angela leaves her purse behind in the cab, only to have Micah pick it up. From here, Micah goes off to search for Angela, and after finding her, what was a night to forget, becomes a day to remember.
This film does not read as a formulaic romantic comedy, where an unrealistic adventure ensues. What does take place is a very human evolution of a relationship between a man and a woman. Micah tries to break down the defensive emotional wall that Angela reluctantly has put up toward Micah. Over the course of the day, both Angela and Micah explore and discover the pieces of each other that may have brought them together in the first place.
What grabbed my about this film, was its simplicity in showing real people, real Black people in a setting of courtship and attraction. There was no vulgarity or over-the-top action, to express the true subtleties of ones fondness toward another. All you see is real people in their vulnerability and awkwardness regarding one another. This was achieved by creating a slow pace, and taking deliberate shots to show the intricate nuances of each character. The director, Barry Jenkins has created, what I hope will be a classic of the new decade. And I anticipate that the actors, Wyatt Cenac(Micah) and Tracey Heggins(Angela), will have long careers ahead of them.
This film may be playing at an independent theater near you. It may also be available at your nearest retailer or visit http://www.strikeanywherefilms.com/?p=42 or http://www.ifcfilms.com
An
Report of our EXpedition
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Hoping for a Second Chance
I picked up this film at a session of Home Base Poetry, in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The story is about an absentee father, who tries to re-enter the lives of his son and former girlfriend, after five years. The film is entitled, "Second Chance", and was written, directed and produced by Iris Huey. Upon seeing the premise of this film, I was apprehensive and even cynical, believing that this was another stereotypical film, which would continue to degrade an already depressed African American community. But after viewing this piece, I was pleasantly surprised at the simplicity and even dignified approach to the subject matter.
The film took time to confront the reason behind the father's neglect, and the pain of abandonment within the mother. There weren't the cliched vulgarities that supposedly represent real relationships within the Africa diaspora. Director, Iris Huey focused on the vulnerabilities and the emotions of real people. Actors Divine Muhammad and Adrian Marcel Williams gave heartfelt performances that are worth seeing.
As an animator/filmmaker myself, I truly understand what an undertaking it is to produce a film. To be an independent filmmaker, as well, takes a certain type of fortitude and determination, that few people dare to have. With that said, the apparent use of digital video may be a little unsettling, but I hope the viewer can adjust and settle in to the story. I'm thankful for the efforts of artists like Miss Huey, and I hope more people will support the independent efforts like hers.
This film can be purchased, along with viewing the trailer at http://www.secondchancefilm.com/flash_content/flash_content.html
The film took time to confront the reason behind the father's neglect, and the pain of abandonment within the mother. There weren't the cliched vulgarities that supposedly represent real relationships within the Africa diaspora. Director, Iris Huey focused on the vulnerabilities and the emotions of real people. Actors Divine Muhammad and Adrian Marcel Williams gave heartfelt performances that are worth seeing.
As an animator/filmmaker myself, I truly understand what an undertaking it is to produce a film. To be an independent filmmaker, as well, takes a certain type of fortitude and determination, that few people dare to have. With that said, the apparent use of digital video may be a little unsettling, but I hope the viewer can adjust and settle in to the story. I'm thankful for the efforts of artists like Miss Huey, and I hope more people will support the independent efforts like hers.
This film can be purchased, along with viewing the trailer at http://www.secondchancefilm.com/flash_content/flash_content.html
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Princess and the Frog is something to dream about
With all of the negative and stereotypical entertainment available today, it's so refreshing to see something positive and uplifting on the screen. The Princess and the Frog may well be one of the best Disney films, in my opinion in many years. This film presents a lush landscape of colors and culture that draws in the audience into what I feel is a masterpiece of animation.
I'm glad that Disney has come back to its senses, and reopened its traditional (2D) animation division. As an animator, I feel that all forms of animation(traditional, 3D, stop motion, and others) need to be available as viable means of creativity for all artists and filmmakers. What this film does, is return to the grand themes and enchanting stories, which Disney has been historically known for.
The story begins in the childhood of Tiana, who with her best friend Charlotte, listen intently to the story of the Frog Prince, told by Tiana's mother Eudora. The story continues from there, as we see the happy family of Tiana, Eudora, and Tiana's hard working father James, share a meal with their entire community.
The story moves forward to Tiana's adulthood, where she is a hard working woman, striving to fulfill, her father's and her own dream of starting a restaurant. Without going too far into the plot, the film continues with the trials and tribulations of Tiana, a wayward prince, and a bevy of intriguing animals.
What makes me so happy about this film, is how loving, hardworking, diligent, and intelligent African Americans are portrayed in this film. Such examples as showing an African American man in James, who works two jobs, loves his African American wife, loves his daughter, and loves community. Another example is the adult Tiana, who like her father, works two jobs, saves her money, and has respect for herself. Now these examples may not mean a lot to some people, but compared to the thug/gangstas and low class hoochies that seem to be everywhere in mainstream music videos and films, these examples are milestones.
One final example that I find just as important, is the respect and attention to detail, of the African American culture that is presented in the film. From the roots of jazz, the exposition of voodou, to even showing bottles hanging from a tree. The film introduces a small bit of the richness that is African American culture.
For those who wish to avoid or boycott this film because of discrimination or racial slight, I saw very little to complain about. Some people reference that the Prince(Naveen) is not African American as an example. Naveen is portrayed as a person of color, with a Spanish accent and curly hair. There is no reference to his ethnic origin, and from my perspective, becomes a non-issue when weighed against the film as a whole. Another touchy subject has been about the use of voodou in this film. Voodou is a practice which originated from west and central Africa, which was brought to America, the Caribbean, and South America by the slave trade. Voodou is as much a part of the fabric and history of Louisiana as jazz, gumbo, and the bayou.
This film needs to be seen by all African American Kids, as well as all African American adults. Not just because Disney has finally created an African American princess, but because this film uplifts and becomes a role model for African Americans, that most mainstream entertainment should not and can't be. Along with African Americans, this film can be a great inspiration for all people to see.
I'm glad that Disney has come back to its senses, and reopened its traditional (2D) animation division. As an animator, I feel that all forms of animation(traditional, 3D, stop motion, and others) need to be available as viable means of creativity for all artists and filmmakers. What this film does, is return to the grand themes and enchanting stories, which Disney has been historically known for.
The story begins in the childhood of Tiana, who with her best friend Charlotte, listen intently to the story of the Frog Prince, told by Tiana's mother Eudora. The story continues from there, as we see the happy family of Tiana, Eudora, and Tiana's hard working father James, share a meal with their entire community.
The story moves forward to Tiana's adulthood, where she is a hard working woman, striving to fulfill, her father's and her own dream of starting a restaurant. Without going too far into the plot, the film continues with the trials and tribulations of Tiana, a wayward prince, and a bevy of intriguing animals.
What makes me so happy about this film, is how loving, hardworking, diligent, and intelligent African Americans are portrayed in this film. Such examples as showing an African American man in James, who works two jobs, loves his African American wife, loves his daughter, and loves community. Another example is the adult Tiana, who like her father, works two jobs, saves her money, and has respect for herself. Now these examples may not mean a lot to some people, but compared to the thug/gangstas and low class hoochies that seem to be everywhere in mainstream music videos and films, these examples are milestones.
One final example that I find just as important, is the respect and attention to detail, of the African American culture that is presented in the film. From the roots of jazz, the exposition of voodou, to even showing bottles hanging from a tree. The film introduces a small bit of the richness that is African American culture.
For those who wish to avoid or boycott this film because of discrimination or racial slight, I saw very little to complain about. Some people reference that the Prince(Naveen) is not African American as an example. Naveen is portrayed as a person of color, with a Spanish accent and curly hair. There is no reference to his ethnic origin, and from my perspective, becomes a non-issue when weighed against the film as a whole. Another touchy subject has been about the use of voodou in this film. Voodou is a practice which originated from west and central Africa, which was brought to America, the Caribbean, and South America by the slave trade. Voodou is as much a part of the fabric and history of Louisiana as jazz, gumbo, and the bayou.
This film needs to be seen by all African American Kids, as well as all African American adults. Not just because Disney has finally created an African American princess, but because this film uplifts and becomes a role model for African Americans, that most mainstream entertainment should not and can't be. Along with African Americans, this film can be a great inspiration for all people to see.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
"Precious" doesn't make me feel too Precious
First off, for those who haven't seen or plan on seeing the film, Precious, this post may be a spoiler for you. With that said, if you want to see a film about a morbidly obese 16 year old black girl, who is already a mother of a down syndrome child, with another on the way, with both fathered by her own father, and is beaten and verbally abused by her welfare cheating mother, and ultimately finds out that she and her newborn child have AIDS, please go see Precious.
I stated this to frame the disgust and anger that I felt after I viewed this film. I did not come out of the movie theater feeling "Hopeful" as many critics have written in their reviews. I saw this film, not as a film critic, but as a person of African decent who is tired of seeing Black people as a segment of society to be pitied and perpetually looked down upon. Don't get me wrong, the acting was tremendous by the primary and supporting cast, and the story was well put together. But for me, I see this film as a reiteration of the vile images that have been glorified within our mainstream music, television, and films that continue to degrade American society.
The triumph of this film comes when the lead character, Precious fights back against her abusive mother and pushes to gain control over her life and her children. Sadly to say, that is the highest the film goes in terms of a positive outlook on the life of Precious. She still remains a morbidly obese 16 year old black girl, who still must attain her GED, while taking care of a child with down syndrome and one with AIDS, along with having AIDS herself. Where is the bright spot in this equation? What does this girl have to look forward to in her life? And how is she going to make it?
I know that some people reading this may be angry at my pessimistic view. But since I have lived and worked in and around New York City for over 9 years, I've seen far too many Precious Jones. I've seen the morbidly obese teenagers walking around with strollers without the ability to speak with good diction. I know that in New York City, you are lucky to have 50% of the African Americans and Latinos graduate high school within 4 years. These numbers aren't much better in other cities and metropolitan areas around the US either.
African Americans are considered the poorest people in the richest nation of the world. African Americans are considered the most illiterate in the wealthiest country of the world. African Americans are the most unemployed in the United States. And there are more African Americans in prison, than any other race or ethnicity in this country. African Americans are viewed, stereotypically as being on welfare, lazy, and criminal. Images of African Americans as drug dealers, gang bangers, and having a multitude of children with different parents out of wedlock, are the normal representation within mainstream media.
Why aren't the majority of the images portrayed of Whites or Asians, of the most violent and derelict of them? Why are Whites automatically viewed as the leaders or heroes? Why are Asians automatically viewed as the most intelligent or hard working? Such stereotypes make it easier for Whites or Asians to navigate within society, whether it be through the job market, education, or simply walking down the street. When most media perceptions of a people are positive, many individuals have a positive perception that particular group of people. This can also be said for the self-perceptions of that ethnic or racial group. Seeing positive images of your own people allow you to to also feel good about yourself.
In the late 1980's and early 90's, the Cosby Show, and the spin off, A different World were a part of a pervasive and influential part of mainstream media that promoted African American life in a positive direction. Having been a teenager during this time period, I can say from experience that these images had a progressively positive effect on my personal outlook on life. To see Black man as a doctor and Black woman as a lawyer, together as husband and wife on television, changed perceptions of what Black people were supposed to be. And to have a show showing Black people successfully matriculating through college was another milestone for advancement. These, along with the hip hop of the time promoting education, self reliance, and pride in being of African decent pushed the expectation of being great.
I want to see optimism and true hope represented again within mainstream entertainment. I don't want to see the glorification of poverty, obesity, violence, and lack of responsibility. I want to see the successes emulated on TV and in the films that have surrounded me throughout my adulthood. I want to see the stories of my African American high school friends, who have become doctors and lawyers. The stories of my African American college friends who are business owners, executives, professors, architects, doctors, artists and so much more. To know African Americans who have come out of poverty, defied racism, and succeeded without becoming today's stereotypes. These are the stories of HOPE that need to be seen and felt! We all must take the responsibility to demand and create works that uplift and progress the existence of a people that have been portrayed at the bottom for far too long! We cannot bear anymore stories about Precious. Our society cannot survive anymore degradation.
I stated this to frame the disgust and anger that I felt after I viewed this film. I did not come out of the movie theater feeling "Hopeful" as many critics have written in their reviews. I saw this film, not as a film critic, but as a person of African decent who is tired of seeing Black people as a segment of society to be pitied and perpetually looked down upon. Don't get me wrong, the acting was tremendous by the primary and supporting cast, and the story was well put together. But for me, I see this film as a reiteration of the vile images that have been glorified within our mainstream music, television, and films that continue to degrade American society.
The triumph of this film comes when the lead character, Precious fights back against her abusive mother and pushes to gain control over her life and her children. Sadly to say, that is the highest the film goes in terms of a positive outlook on the life of Precious. She still remains a morbidly obese 16 year old black girl, who still must attain her GED, while taking care of a child with down syndrome and one with AIDS, along with having AIDS herself. Where is the bright spot in this equation? What does this girl have to look forward to in her life? And how is she going to make it?
I know that some people reading this may be angry at my pessimistic view. But since I have lived and worked in and around New York City for over 9 years, I've seen far too many Precious Jones. I've seen the morbidly obese teenagers walking around with strollers without the ability to speak with good diction. I know that in New York City, you are lucky to have 50% of the African Americans and Latinos graduate high school within 4 years. These numbers aren't much better in other cities and metropolitan areas around the US either.
African Americans are considered the poorest people in the richest nation of the world. African Americans are considered the most illiterate in the wealthiest country of the world. African Americans are the most unemployed in the United States. And there are more African Americans in prison, than any other race or ethnicity in this country. African Americans are viewed, stereotypically as being on welfare, lazy, and criminal. Images of African Americans as drug dealers, gang bangers, and having a multitude of children with different parents out of wedlock, are the normal representation within mainstream media.
Why aren't the majority of the images portrayed of Whites or Asians, of the most violent and derelict of them? Why are Whites automatically viewed as the leaders or heroes? Why are Asians automatically viewed as the most intelligent or hard working? Such stereotypes make it easier for Whites or Asians to navigate within society, whether it be through the job market, education, or simply walking down the street. When most media perceptions of a people are positive, many individuals have a positive perception that particular group of people. This can also be said for the self-perceptions of that ethnic or racial group. Seeing positive images of your own people allow you to to also feel good about yourself.
In the late 1980's and early 90's, the Cosby Show, and the spin off, A different World were a part of a pervasive and influential part of mainstream media that promoted African American life in a positive direction. Having been a teenager during this time period, I can say from experience that these images had a progressively positive effect on my personal outlook on life. To see Black man as a doctor and Black woman as a lawyer, together as husband and wife on television, changed perceptions of what Black people were supposed to be. And to have a show showing Black people successfully matriculating through college was another milestone for advancement. These, along with the hip hop of the time promoting education, self reliance, and pride in being of African decent pushed the expectation of being great.
I want to see optimism and true hope represented again within mainstream entertainment. I don't want to see the glorification of poverty, obesity, violence, and lack of responsibility. I want to see the successes emulated on TV and in the films that have surrounded me throughout my adulthood. I want to see the stories of my African American high school friends, who have become doctors and lawyers. The stories of my African American college friends who are business owners, executives, professors, architects, doctors, artists and so much more. To know African Americans who have come out of poverty, defied racism, and succeeded without becoming today's stereotypes. These are the stories of HOPE that need to be seen and felt! We all must take the responsibility to demand and create works that uplift and progress the existence of a people that have been portrayed at the bottom for far too long! We cannot bear anymore stories about Precious. Our society cannot survive anymore degradation.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
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