Inside: Archives
For Colored Girls – Review
I want you all to know that I had only good thoughts before entering the screening of this film. Having read Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem/play, I knew that the task of adapting the language and themes within For Coloured Girls into a film was never going to be an easy task. The controversy caused by having [...]
Tags: Black Films, headlineInside: Archives
For Colored Girls UK Release – Preview
The crowned king of melodrama has reached outside of his comfort zone and taken on more mature content in his film adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Translating an experimental 1975 stage play to film would be a challenge for any director, but American [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
London Film Festival Preview: Imani
Imani which translates to “faith” is the first feature film by the Kamya sisters, Caroline who directed and produced it and Agnes who wrote the screenplay. The film which has already picked up a few awards at film festivals around the world provides a snapshot of a day in the lives of three different people [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
DVD Reviews: Rough Aunties + Motherland
Rough Aunties (2008) Directed by Kim Longinotto This unflinching documentary from Channel 4 and Rise films (and Sundance’s 2009 Jury Prize winner) is phenomenal. Directed by Kim Longinotto, it follows the lives of 5 female employees of the organisation ‘Bobbie Bear’, who battle for justice for the abused and neglected children of post-apartheid South Africa. [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
SUS – Review by Octavia Foundation Young People
Catch a Vibe invited young people from across London to review the film “Sus”, which was released this month on DVD. The Octavia Foundation contacted 12 of their aspiring young film-makers and culture critics to watch and give their feedback on this tense drama. It’s 1979 on the eve of Thatcher’s imminent election win. Delroy’s [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
Black Performers in Theatre
Until relatively recently, black performers in the theatre were few and far between. Early historical sources state that Henry VII hired a “Black Trumpete” whilst others claim that black performers were present as early as 1505 in Edinburgh venues. Many of the most reliable sources, however, show that there was a substantial black theatre community [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
Chris Rock on Good Hair and Growing Up Skinny
South Carolina-born African American comedian Chris Rock grew up in Brooklyn, his first break arriving after Eddie Murphy cast him in his Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). He went on to work on Saturday Night Live, from 1990-93, and summoned a fine turn as a crack addict in New Jack City (1991). It was his [...]
Tags: Black Films, headlineInside: Archives
Tyler Perry & Janet Jackson on Why Did I Get Married Too?’s UK Release
It’s a sunny afternoon in central London and I find myself in the rather grand setting of Dorchester Hotel. I’m here as one of the most important filmmakers to emerge in the last decade, Tyler Perry as well as the star of his latest film Singer and actress Janet Jackson are both in the UK [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
Black Movie Review: Just Wright
I was gearing myself to dislike Just Wright. I’m from the school of people who thinks that all the great black romantic comedies – Jason’s Lyrics, Love Jones, Brown Sugar, Love and Basketball- have already been made. Those movies have captured our imagination like no other movies since and have made household names of Jada [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
Fall Movie Preview
As the nights draw in and summer becomes a distant memory, a trip to the cinema with a big bucket of popcorn is the perfect medicine. Here’s your guide to what’s on offer this autumn. Takers Gritty heist movie with Idris Elba leading a group of high-class bank robbers, including Chris Brown. Their life of [...]
Tags: Black Films, featureInside: Archives
BUFF – The British Urban Film Festival 4-5-6 September 2010
September marks the start of the film season in London, with mainstream and black film festivals presenting the best of new cinema from and beyond the UK. One such festival is the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF), which offers 16 films over 3 days of free screenings. We caught up with festival founder Emmanuel Anyiam [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
Tyler Perry Introduces His Brand to UK Audiences
At first I didn’t believe it! “You what?” “Tyler Perry and Janet Jackson… in Brixton?” In May, Tyler Perry and Ms Jackson (If You’re Nasty), attended a special screening of Tyler Perry’s latest film Why Did I Get Married Too? at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton. It appears that Tyler Perry is gearing himself up [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
Welcome to Sollywood
A short history of contemporary South African cinema
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
South Africa on Screen
South Africa is having a media moment. Tales about the fascinating country have popped up regularly at the cinema recently, culminating in two successful, though very different, films in the last year (District 9 and Invictus). However, you may have been seeing South Africa on screen more than you think. The country has built itself [...]
Tags: Black FilmsInside: Archives
Baff Akoto on his directorial debut Football Fables
Football Fables is the compelling documentary that gives an insight into football recruitment in Ghana and the issues faced by young players. Directed and produced by newcomer Baff Akoto the 52 minute film is released in the UK on June 4th. Catch a Vibe met up with Baff to discuss his directorial debut, his pronostics for for the World Cup and what it takes to make it in the film industry.
Tags: Black Films
