A new film festival is on the scene. Los Angeles Festival of Movies (Lafm), co-presented by Mubi and Mezzanine, has announced the full line-up for its inaugural run, taking place April 4-7, 2024. Boasting 11 titles––including one world premiere, three 4K restorations, a featured artist talk, documentary series, and curated shorts program––screenings will take place at three recently opened venues on the east side of Los Angeles: Vidiots in Eagle Rock, 2220 Arts + Archives in Historic Filipinotown, and Now Instant Image Hall in Chinatown.
Among the lineup are some of our recent festival favorites: Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow, India Donaldson’s Good One, the Ross brothers’ Gasoline Rainbow, and Eduardo Williams’ The Human Surge 3. Closing the festival is the world premiere of Conner O’Malley and Danny Scharer’s Rap World.
“This lineup is a snapshot of the past and present landscape of independent cinema, and a group...
Among the lineup are some of our recent festival favorites: Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow, India Donaldson’s Good One, the Ross brothers’ Gasoline Rainbow, and Eduardo Williams’ The Human Surge 3. Closing the festival is the world premiere of Conner O’Malley and Danny Scharer’s Rap World.
“This lineup is a snapshot of the past and present landscape of independent cinema, and a group...
- 3/7/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Ava DuVernay has only made five narrative features, but she’s one of the busiest women in Hollywood.
Before 2023, the California-born filmmaker’s last feature was her “A Wrinkle in Time” adaptation, released in theaters in 2018 — a five-year gap between releases that’s partially attributable to projects that sputtered in development like DC’s “New Gods” film and a Prince biopic. And yet, DuVernay has remained a constant presence during that relatively long gap, translating her numerous talents to producing and TV work. She created and directed the acclaimed Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” about the controversial Central Park Five case. Several other TV projects followed, including OWN’s “Cherish the Day,” Netflix’s “Colin in Black and White,” and The CW’s “Naomi.” But while many of those projects have been terrific, it’s great to see the director of great films like “Middle of Nowhere” and “Selma...
Before 2023, the California-born filmmaker’s last feature was her “A Wrinkle in Time” adaptation, released in theaters in 2018 — a five-year gap between releases that’s partially attributable to projects that sputtered in development like DC’s “New Gods” film and a Prince biopic. And yet, DuVernay has remained a constant presence during that relatively long gap, translating her numerous talents to producing and TV work. She created and directed the acclaimed Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” about the controversial Central Park Five case. Several other TV projects followed, including OWN’s “Cherish the Day,” Netflix’s “Colin in Black and White,” and The CW’s “Naomi.” But while many of those projects have been terrific, it’s great to see the director of great films like “Middle of Nowhere” and “Selma...
- 1/25/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Kino Lorber, at the Lumiére Festival and International Classic Film Market (Mifc) in Lyon with a number of new restorations, including Stanley Kubrick’s “Fear and Desire,” will next release Bridgett M. Davis’ 1996 drama “Naked Acts” and a complete retrospective of Oscar Micheaux, the first black filmmaker.
Also headed for release is “The Dragon Painter,” a rare, 1919 silent film with an all Asian cast, with the feel of an old Japanese film but entirely shot in the San Francisco area. It stars Sessue Hayakawa, who produced it himself, as well as his real-life wife Tsuru Aoki.
Kino Lorber is partnering with Milestone Films to release “The Dragon Painter” in 4K in 2024 with a new score.
Likewise set for a 4K release next year in partnership with Milestone is “Naked Acts,” which follows young Black actress Cicely, who is about to make her acting debut in a low budget film. As...
Also headed for release is “The Dragon Painter,” a rare, 1919 silent film with an all Asian cast, with the feel of an old Japanese film but entirely shot in the San Francisco area. It stars Sessue Hayakawa, who produced it himself, as well as his real-life wife Tsuru Aoki.
Kino Lorber is partnering with Milestone Films to release “The Dragon Painter” in 4K in 2024 with a new score.
Likewise set for a 4K release next year in partnership with Milestone is “Naked Acts,” which follows young Black actress Cicely, who is about to make her acting debut in a low budget film. As...
- 10/18/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Alice, Darling (Mary Nighy)
Everything you need to know about Alice’s (Anna Kendrick) state of mind concerning the abuse inflicted by her boyfriend Simon (Charlie Carrick) are the words “it’s not like he hurts me.” We feel Sophie’s (Wunmi Mosaku) wince in our bones—”hurt” doesn’t only become noteworthy when wrought by a physical altercation. Alice is glued to her phone to ensure she doesn’t miss a call or text. She wakes up super early to apply make-up and style her hair to Simon’s preference. Parrots all the soundbites he uses to police her eating habits about the toxicity of sugar. And literally pulls her hair out of her head whenever she has a spare second...
Alice, Darling (Mary Nighy)
Everything you need to know about Alice’s (Anna Kendrick) state of mind concerning the abuse inflicted by her boyfriend Simon (Charlie Carrick) are the words “it’s not like he hurts me.” We feel Sophie’s (Wunmi Mosaku) wince in our bones—”hurt” doesn’t only become noteworthy when wrought by a physical altercation. Alice is glued to her phone to ensure she doesn’t miss a call or text. She wakes up super early to apply make-up and style her hair to Simon’s preference. Parrots all the soundbites he uses to police her eating habits about the toxicity of sugar. And literally pulls her hair out of her head whenever she has a spare second...
- 2/3/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
February, marking both Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, is the kind of stretch from which a programmer can mine plenty. Accordingly the Criterion Channel have oriented their next slate around both. The former is mostly noted in a series comprising numerous features and shorts: Shirley Clarke and William Greaves up to Ephraim Asili and Garrett Bradley, among them gems such as Varda’s Black Panthers and Kathleen Collins’ Losing Ground; a six-film series on James Baldwin; and 10 works by Oscar Micheaux.
Meanwhile, the 23-film “All You Need Is Love” will cover the blinding romance of L’Atalante, the heartbreak of Happy Together, and youthful whimsy of Stolen Kisses; four Douglas Sirk rarities should leave their mark, but I’m perhaps most excited about three starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. Perhaps more bracing are 12 movies by Derek Jarman and four by noir maestro Robert Siodmak. Also a major...
Meanwhile, the 23-film “All You Need Is Love” will cover the blinding romance of L’Atalante, the heartbreak of Happy Together, and youthful whimsy of Stolen Kisses; four Douglas Sirk rarities should leave their mark, but I’m perhaps most excited about three starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. Perhaps more bracing are 12 movies by Derek Jarman and four by noir maestro Robert Siodmak. Also a major...
- 1/26/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Like so many indie filmmakers of the late 20th century, Ayoka Chenzira is not as well-known as she should be, nor has she made as many films as her talent warrants. But the ones she’s made remain impactful.
Her short “Hair Piece: A Film for Nappyheaded People” is celebrated as a first from a Black woman animator, and its focus on Black hair remains as timely as ever. And now “Alma’s Rainbow,” her 1994 feature-film debut centered on Black womanhood, returns to US theaters in a new 4K restoration.
Written, directed and produced by Chenzira — who has gone on to guide a new generation of filmmakers and new-media creators at Spelman for more than 20 years — “Alma’s Rainbow” captures the dynamic between mother and daughter during a pivotal turning point in the younger woman’s life. Like Leslie Harris’s debut feature, 1992’ “Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.,” “Alma’s Rainbow” is...
Her short “Hair Piece: A Film for Nappyheaded People” is celebrated as a first from a Black woman animator, and its focus on Black hair remains as timely as ever. And now “Alma’s Rainbow,” her 1994 feature-film debut centered on Black womanhood, returns to US theaters in a new 4K restoration.
Written, directed and produced by Chenzira — who has gone on to guide a new generation of filmmakers and new-media creators at Spelman for more than 20 years — “Alma’s Rainbow” captures the dynamic between mother and daughter during a pivotal turning point in the younger woman’s life. Like Leslie Harris’s debut feature, 1992’ “Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.,” “Alma’s Rainbow” is...
- 7/28/2022
- by Ronda Racha Penrice
- The Wrap
Poet, playwright, writer, filmmaker, director, civil rights activist and educator Kathleen Collins will receive the inaugural Icon Tribute posthumously during the Gotham Awards Ceremony on Nov. 29. Nina Lorez Collins will accept the award on behalf of her mother.
“Kathleen Collins lived an inspirational life itself worthy of a film. She fought for civil rights, then fought for the opportunity to tell powerful stories about people of color,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham Film and Media Institute. “She is an expert and nuanced storyteller who overcame a variety of systematic obstacles in order to tell stories that challenged stereotypes and featured nuanced depictions of marginalized communities. It is an honor to recognize this talented and dedicated individual who never got the appreciation she deserved.”
The Gotham Icon Tribute was conceived by the Gotham Awards Advisory Committee this year on its 31st anniversary to call attention to the boldness,...
“Kathleen Collins lived an inspirational life itself worthy of a film. She fought for civil rights, then fought for the opportunity to tell powerful stories about people of color,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham Film and Media Institute. “She is an expert and nuanced storyteller who overcame a variety of systematic obstacles in order to tell stories that challenged stereotypes and featured nuanced depictions of marginalized communities. It is an honor to recognize this talented and dedicated individual who never got the appreciation she deserved.”
The Gotham Icon Tribute was conceived by the Gotham Awards Advisory Committee this year on its 31st anniversary to call attention to the boldness,...
- 11/10/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Radha Blank Talks Turning the Lens on a Different Side of New York With ‘The Forty-Year-Old Version’
Radha Blank keeps her Sundance directing award on the mantel in her New York City home. “It’s still a little surreal to me,” she tells Variety of receiving the prize from the indie nonprofit where she’d workshopped her movie “The Forty-Year-Old Version.” “From what I understand, me and Ava [DuVernay] are the only Black women to [win].” Even more surreal has been promoting her directorial debut during a pandemic. Much like the full-circle nature of winning that trophy, Blank’s film — which follows a down-on-her-luck playwright who turns 40 and adopts the rap persona RadhaMUSPrime on the way to finding her true voice — mirrors the city’s attempt to rebound from the devastating pandemic.
Why did you set your film in New York?
That New York tale about the struggling artist, we’ve seen that, but we haven’t seen [Black people] centered in that. I wanted to, hopefully, add to the canon of classic New York films.
Why did you set your film in New York?
That New York tale about the struggling artist, we’ve seen that, but we haven’t seen [Black people] centered in that. I wanted to, hopefully, add to the canon of classic New York films.
- 10/8/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options—not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves–each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and an archive of past round-ups here.
Free Films Featuring Black Voices
If you’re not able to join your local protest, there are other ways to support the vital fight again injustice and police brutality. And if you’re looking to learn more about the black experience, especially in America, a number of films are now available for free. First up, The Criterion Channel has made available Daughters of the Dust, Losing Ground, Black Mother, Symbiopsychotaxiplasm Take One, The Watermelon Woman, and more films by black filmmakers for free without a subscription. Also available for free on other platforms is Charles Burnett’s landmark film Killer of Sheep, Ava DuVernay’s insightful documentary 13th,...
Free Films Featuring Black Voices
If you’re not able to join your local protest, there are other ways to support the vital fight again injustice and police brutality. And if you’re looking to learn more about the black experience, especially in America, a number of films are now available for free. First up, The Criterion Channel has made available Daughters of the Dust, Losing Ground, Black Mother, Symbiopsychotaxiplasm Take One, The Watermelon Woman, and more films by black filmmakers for free without a subscription. Also available for free on other platforms is Charles Burnett’s landmark film Killer of Sheep, Ava DuVernay’s insightful documentary 13th,...
- 6/5/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The Criterion Collection on Thursday joined the wave of industry supporters who’ve come out in the past week to help fight systemic racism, and help advocate for police reform and support protesters across America. From A24 to Bad Robot, film’s leading voices are stepping up in response to current events. In an email from Criterion president Peter Becker and CEO Jonathan Turell, the company announced a $25,000 initial contribution, followed by an ongoing $5,000 monthly commitment for organizations supporting Black Lives Matter.
But Criterion also announced that it’s lifting the paywall on select titles from Black filmmakers, and white filmmakers who’ve captured the Black experience through documentary, so that audiences at home can stream them for free, with no need for a subscription.
Titles streaming for free on Criterion Channel include Julie Dash’s “Daughters of the Dust,” Maya Angelou’s “Down in the Delta,” Shirley Clarke’s “Portrait of Jason,...
But Criterion also announced that it’s lifting the paywall on select titles from Black filmmakers, and white filmmakers who’ve captured the Black experience through documentary, so that audiences at home can stream them for free, with no need for a subscription.
Titles streaming for free on Criterion Channel include Julie Dash’s “Daughters of the Dust,” Maya Angelou’s “Down in the Delta,” Shirley Clarke’s “Portrait of Jason,...
- 6/4/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
With readers turning to their home viewing options more than ever, this daily feature provides one new movie each day worth checking out on a major streaming platform.
Barely released in 1982 and all but unseen for over three decades, Kathleen Collins’ “Losing Ground” was a rare instance where the matter of a middle-aged black woman intellectual’s interior life is generously examined — and illustrated in rich symbolistic terms. It brings to life the dreams and disappointments of talented, educated black women who in the shadow of patriarchy. It’s a challenging and unpredictable movie that deserves the enthusiastic reception that met its rediscovery five years ago.
More from IndieWireMarvel's Future: How the Cinematic Universe Could Pivot to TV Storytelling in Today's Uncertain WorldHulu Shuts Down Twitter Trolls Complaining About 'Parasite' Subtitles
Philosophy professor Sara Rogers (Seret Scott) and her bohemian artist husband Victor (Bill Gunn) rent a summer...
Barely released in 1982 and all but unseen for over three decades, Kathleen Collins’ “Losing Ground” was a rare instance where the matter of a middle-aged black woman intellectual’s interior life is generously examined — and illustrated in rich symbolistic terms. It brings to life the dreams and disappointments of talented, educated black women who in the shadow of patriarchy. It’s a challenging and unpredictable movie that deserves the enthusiastic reception that met its rediscovery five years ago.
More from IndieWireMarvel's Future: How the Cinematic Universe Could Pivot to TV Storytelling in Today's Uncertain WorldHulu Shuts Down Twitter Trolls Complaining About 'Parasite' Subtitles
Philosophy professor Sara Rogers (Seret Scott) and her bohemian artist husband Victor (Bill Gunn) rent a summer...
- 4/9/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
With readers turning to their home viewing options more than ever, this daily feature provides one new movie each day worth checking out on a major streaming platform.
Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled” is one of those forgotten “Joints” that confounded critics and audiences at the time of its initial release. Twenty years later, it’s enjoying a renaissance — thanks to a recently-released Criterion Collection DVD/Blu-ray edition of this long out-of-print title — and a much-deserved reassessment of this scathing and insightful satire. But it’s not the only one that deserves a second look. Four years before “Bamboozled,” Lee made another idiosyncratic movie filled with big ideas. Like “Bamboozled,” Lee’s 1996 dramedy “Girl 6” also baffled viewers at the time, but its insights into race and gender in Hollywood still resonate today.
More from IndieWireStream of the Day: 'The Spectacular Now' and the Brilliant Long Take That Deserves More PraiseStream...
Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled” is one of those forgotten “Joints” that confounded critics and audiences at the time of its initial release. Twenty years later, it’s enjoying a renaissance — thanks to a recently-released Criterion Collection DVD/Blu-ray edition of this long out-of-print title — and a much-deserved reassessment of this scathing and insightful satire. But it’s not the only one that deserves a second look. Four years before “Bamboozled,” Lee made another idiosyncratic movie filled with big ideas. Like “Bamboozled,” Lee’s 1996 dramedy “Girl 6” also baffled viewers at the time, but its insights into race and gender in Hollywood still resonate today.
More from IndieWireStream of the Day: 'The Spectacular Now' and the Brilliant Long Take That Deserves More PraiseStream...
- 4/2/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
They Come in All Colors (Atria) by Malcolm Hansen
Agency: New Leaf
In the wake of Moonlight comes another coming-of-age tale about black masculinity, out in spring 2018. A biracial 13-year-old boy uprooted from his small Georgia hometown to a New York prep school in 1969 faces the effects of racism and his own anger, which threaten his future.
Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? (Ecco) by Kathleen Collins
Agency: UTA
This posthumous collection from the overlooked African-American filmmaker (Losing Ground), who died in 1988, is popping up on year-end “best of” lists. The short stories, mainly...
Agency: New Leaf
In the wake of Moonlight comes another coming-of-age tale about black masculinity, out in spring 2018. A biracial 13-year-old boy uprooted from his small Georgia hometown to a New York prep school in 1969 faces the effects of racism and his own anger, which threaten his future.
Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? (Ecco) by Kathleen Collins
Agency: UTA
This posthumous collection from the overlooked African-American filmmaker (Losing Ground), who died in 1988, is popping up on year-end “best of” lists. The short stories, mainly...
- 12/16/2016
- by Rebecca Ford and Andy Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kathleen Collins' Must-See Restored/Remastered 'Losing Ground' Hits Blu-Ray/DVD in 2-Disc Deluxe Set
I can only imagine what it must have felt like, watching this in the year of its initial release (1982), not-so-far removed from the previous decade in American cinema that was dominated by exploitation films - specifically Blaxploitation films. And while East Coaster Kathleen Collins didn't emerge from the celebrated L.A. Rebellion film movement, her work certainly contributed to what was then a new generation of upstart African and African American filmmakers, who created a "Black Cinema" that acted as an alternative to dominant classical Hollywood cinema - especially where representations of people of African descent were concerned. That "Losing Ground" still...
- 3/19/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Kathleen Collins' name made a big cultural rebound with a single review in The New Yorker -- of an independent movie she wrote and directed in 1982. It's a confluence of important black theater and filmmaking talent -- Collins, Bill Gunn, Duane Jones, Billie Allen and, in the background, William Greaves and the history of film generated by African-Americans. Losing Ground Blu-ray The Milestone Cinematheque 1982 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 86 min. / Available at Milestone Films / Street Date April 5, 2016 / 39.99 Starring Seret Scott, Bill Gunn, Duane Jones, Billie Allen, Maritza Rivera, Noberto Kerner, Gary Bolling, Michelle Mais. Cinematography Ronald K. Gray Film Editor Ronald K. Gray, Kathleen Collins Original Music Michael Minard Produced by Kathleen Collins, Ronald K. Gray Written and Directed by Kathleen Collins
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Quick, name five film directors that are black women. Well, after seeing the glowing review for Losing Ground late last year in The New Yorker,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Quick, name five film directors that are black women. Well, after seeing the glowing review for Losing Ground late last year in The New Yorker,...
- 3/19/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
This is definitely the time of year when film critic types (I’m sure you know who I mean) spend an inordinate amount of time leading up to awards season—and it all leads up to awards season, don’t it?—compiling lists and trying to convince anyone who will listen that it was a shitty year at the movies for anyone who liked something other than what they saw and liked. And ‘tis the season, or at least ‘thas (?) been in the recent past, for that most beloved of academic parlor games, bemoaning the death of cinema, which, if the sackcloth-and-ashes-clad among us are to be believed, is an increasingly detached and irrelevant art form in the process of being smothered under the wet, steaming blanket of American blockbuster-it is. And it’s going all malnourished from the siphoning off of all the talent back to TV, which, as everyone knows,...
- 1/9/2016
- by Dennis Cozzalio
- Trailers from Hell
As I wrote back in January of this year, there have always been black filmmakers, long before Spike Lee or John Singleton. In fact too many to mention just a few. But one significant black filmmaker who seems to have been overlooked, is playwright/professor/activist and filmmaker Kathleen Collins. Perhaps because her list of films only consists of two pictures, and that she died relatively young, at the age of 46, in 1988, after a long battle with breast cancer, she has sadly been overlooked for too long. But the feature film that made her a name, "Losing Ground," has unfortunately been seen by very few. It toured the film festival circuit during the early...
- 8/19/2015
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
Film Society at Lincoln Center has extended its theatrical run for Kathleen Collins' 'Losing Ground,' for another week, due to popular demand, as the title of this post states! So, if you're in New York City, you're strongly encouraged to go see the film while you still can - on the big screen, which is significant. It's a film that never received a proper theatrical release, so this is one that's long overdue! Take advantage of this opportunity folks! My review of the film follows below, if you missed it when previously published. I can only imagine what it must have felt like, watching this in the year of its initial release (1982), not-so-far removed from the previous decade...
- 2/18/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Lincoln Center’s vital series “Tell It Like It Is: Black Independents in New York, 1968-1986″ kicks off today, including a week-long debut theatrical run of Kathleen Collins’ 1982 Losing Ground. Believed to be the first African-American woman to direct a feature film (1980’s The Cruz Brothers and Mrs. Molloy), Collins’ 1982 second and final feature has never received a regular theatrical run until now. The story of a philosophy professor (Sereh Scott) and her landscape painter husband (Ganja and Hess director Bill Gunn) in the middle of a transformative vacation in upstate New York, the film is described as a […]...
- 2/6/2015
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Lincoln Center’s vital series “Tell It Like It Is: Black Independents in New York, 1968-1986″ kicks off today, including a week-long debut theatrical run of Kathleen Collins’ 1982 Losing Ground. Believed to be the first African-American woman to direct a feature film (1980’s The Cruz Brothers and Mrs. Molloy), Collins’ 1982 second and final feature has never received a regular theatrical run until now. The story of a philosophy professor (Sereh Scott) and her landscape painter husband (Ganja and Hess director Bill Gunn) in the middle of a transformative vacation in upstate New York, the film is described as a […]...
- 2/6/2015
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
I can only imagine what it must have felt like, watching this in the year of its initial release (1982), not-so-far removed from the previous decade in American cinema that was dominated by exploitation films - specifically Blaxploitation films. And while East Coaster Kathleen Collins didn't emerge from the celebrated L.A. Rebellion film movement, her work certainly contributed to what was then a new generation of upstart African and African American filmmakers, who created a "Black Cinema" that acted as an alternative to dominant classical Hollywood cinema - especially where representations of people of African descent were concerned. That "Losing Ground" still...
- 2/6/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Kicking off today, Friday, February 6, 2015, is a must-attend series, presented by The Film Society of Lincoln Center (NYC), titled "Tell It Like It Is: Black Independents in New York, 1968–1986" - from the opener, Kathleen Collins' stately 1982 feature "Losing Ground" (read my review of the film here); to Ayoka Chenzira's humorous, though inciting short "black hair" travelogue, "Hair Piece A Film for Nappy-Headed People;" Camille Billops' devastating documentary on a young black woman's struggles to come to terms with her physically abusive father (dead at the time of the making of the film) as well as a mother, abused herself, unable...
- 2/6/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
I can only imagine what it must have felt like, watching this in the year of its initial release (1982), not-so-far removed from the previous decade in American cinema that was dominated by exploitation films - specifically Blaxploitation films. And while East Coaster Kathleen Collins didn't emerge from the celebrated L.A. Rebellion film movement, her work certainly contributed to what was then a new generation of upstart African and African American filmmakers, who created a "Black Cinema" that acted as an alternative to dominant classical Hollywood cinema - especially where representations of people of African descent were concerned. That "Losing Ground" still...
- 2/3/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
I spent part of my weekend watching screeners for films that are included in this upcoming, awesome series, presented by The Film Society of Lincoln Center (NYC), titled "Tell It Like It Is: Black Independents in New York, 1968–1986" - from the opener, Kathleen Collins' stately 1982 feature "Losing Ground" (read my review of the film here); to Ayoka Chenzira's humorous, though inciting short "black hair" travelogue, "Hair Piece A Film for Nappy-Headed People;" Camille Billops' devastating documentary on a young black woman's struggles to come to terms with her physically abusive father (dead at the time of the making of the film) as...
- 2/2/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
There’s no need to tell you that there have always been black filmmakers, long before Spike Lee; too many to mention just a few. But one significant person, who seems to have been overlooked, is playwright/professor/activist and filmmaker Kathleen Collins. Perhaps because her list of films only consists of two pictures, and that she died relatively young, at the age of 46, in 1988, after a long battle with breast cancer, she has sadly been overlooked for too long. But the feature film that made her a name, "Losing Ground," has sadly been very little seen by the public. It made the rounds of some film festivals during the early 1980’s, and yet,...
- 1/19/2015
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
There’s no need to tell you that there have always been black filmmakers, long before Spike Lee; too many to mention just a few. But one significant person, who seems to have been overlooked, is playwright/professor/activist and filmmaker Kathleen Collins. Perhaps because her list of films only consists of two pictures, and that she died relatively young, at the age of 46, in 1988, after a long battle with breast cancer, she has sadly been overlooked for too long. But the feature film that made her a name, "Losing Ground," has sadly been very little seen by the public. It made the rounds of some film festivals during the early 1980’s, and yet,...
- 1/13/2015
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
African American filmmaker, playwright and professor of film history and production, Kathleen Collins, died of cancer in September 1988. She was just 46 years old. She may be most known for Losing Ground, a 1982 TV movie she wrote and directed (starring Seret Scott, Bill Gunn, and Duane Jones), which played the international film festival circuit to much acclaim, and would eventually be restored and distributed by Milestone Films. The film is a dramedy about a black American philosophy professor, and her philandering artist husband who are facing marital problems. The husband rents a summer country house to celebrate a museum sale, and their idyll summer...
- 3/21/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
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