Hey New Yorkers! Here’s a very rare opportunity you should take full advantage of, to see the early works of several acclaimed filmmakers whose names and films have been mentioned/featured on this blog over the years. I’ll say no more and instead have the organizers of the event (which will be attended by many of the filmmakers) dish on all the details via press release below…
In the early 1990s at New York University, a small and
rebellious group of Black students in the Department of Film and Television came together to
unite their skills and resources in order to tell their own stories, not the ones they were expected
to tell by faculty and fellow classmates. In connection to the ostracized Negro League baseball
teams, they decided to call their affiliation The Leagues, and went on to craft unique films
reflecting their varied experiences and to inspire future generations of Black NYU film students
to connect under their banner to do the same. Now ready to share their relatively secretive
association with the world-at-large, The Leagues Film Showcase: Celebrating New York
University’s Black Filmmaker Underground will feature their collective work publicly for the
first time, with free film screenings throughout.
The viewing public will discover the richness of The Leagues’ history by seeing the tapestry of
storytelling these filmmakers presented to the world over the past twenty years. With diverse
topics, cinematic styles, origins, and complexities, modern Black film will be unraveled, as select
films will be seen collectively for the first time. You may have seen them on cable television or
at film festivals such as Sundance, Berlinale, Cannes, Toronto and Urbanworld – but for the first
time audiences will be able to view many of them in a premiere showcase at the place where
they grew out of – New York University.
Begun by Rod Gailes OBC and George Stubbs, The Leagues also found inspiration from
the support of auteur filmmaker and NYU film school instructor and alum Spike Lee and the
then new Tisch School of the Arts’ Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell. Their presence served as
validation for the small community of African-American film students that they can make films
and attend a seemingly intimidating university like NYU. These positive attitudes were also
bolstered by the ballyhooed, colloquially named “Black New Wave” of cinema with a series
of films from Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, 1989) Reginald and Warrington Hudlin (House
Party, 1990), and John Singleton (Boyz In the Hood, 1991), and others that created a new wave
of critical and commercial possibilities. UCLA’s L.A. Rebellion collective of Black film student
voices was also a significant influence.
But beyond fighting the system and dreams of success, these grad students wanted to create
a sense of “home” for all incoming African-American students. The Leagues was formed to
have a safe space in which to create – a community. As co-founder Gailes stated in a 2012
Shadow and Act interview, “NYU was hard to get into and hard to get out of! It would have been
impossible without a community of people conspiring to help you do it.” So they created this
community to tell their own stories, not the ones they were expected to tell by faculty and fellow
classmates.
As a New York Times profile on League member Dee Rees, director of the award-winning
2011 film Pariah, mentions about her time at NYU, “During Seith [Mann]’s time a lot of the black
students began calling themselves ‘the League,’…a reference to the all-black baseball league
that ended in the ’50s. The shorthand speaks to a sense of camaraderie that is shared by many
of the black students there. If there’s a thread connecting their work, it is that “none of us have
reductive views” of black identity, she said.”
The Leagues Film Showcase will officially introduce The Leagues’ work to the world-at-large,
highlighting the films of the first years of this New York-based movement (1991-1998), the
fresh style of the second generation (1999-2007), and culminating into the inventive works
of contemporary Leaguers (2008-present). Many of the filmmakers will be in attendance to
participate in Q&A sessions about their film careers, a short list of which already includes
Frances Bodomo (Afronauts), Caran Hartsfield (King), Rod Gailes OBC (Soft Focus), Ed
DuRante (Jake Gets Paid). The early work of cinematographers will also be recognized,
including that of Bradford Young (Pariah), Daniel Patterson (Gun Hill Road), and Cybel Martin
(Jackie.).
The special opening night event includes six films picked by celebrity NYU faculty including
director Kasi Lemmons (Black Nativity, 2013) and heralded editor/producer/director Samuel L.
Pollard (Jungle Fever, Slavery by Another Name) that best celebrate the three generations of
The Leagues. The Friday night screening focuses on the first and only feature film directed by
six members of The Leagues, 6 Things I Never Told You.
The closing night event will be an early career retrospective on League member Shaka King’s
career with a screening of his hit feature film Newlyweeds (2013), preceded by his student
works Cocoa Loco and Herkimer DuFrayne, 7th
talkbacks with respective directors and invited guests and are followed by a reception.
The Leagues Film Showcase: Celebrating New York University’s Black Filmmaker
Underground schedule
September 11 at the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Film Center (36 East 8th
at Tisch School of the Arts (721 Broadway)
Thursday, September 11
6pm: Opening Night Faculty Showcase + discussion on ideals and issues surrounding the need
for the collective. Introduction by Samuel L. Pollard
Kiss It Up to God by Caran Hartsfield
Twin Cousins by Rod Gailes OBC
Five Deep Breaths by Seith Mann
African Booty Scratcher by Nikyatu Jusu
Premature by Rashaad Ernesto Green
Afronauts by Frances Bodomo
Friday, September 12
7pm: 6 Things I Never Told You
Saturday, September 13
12pm: First Frames (1991-1998) shorts showcase
The Apartment by Cinque Northern
America by Ed DuRante
Peace and Quiet by George Stubbs
Around The Time by Phil Bertelsen
Girl Talk by Stacey Holman
2pm: Getting the Groove (1999-2007) shorts showcase
Streets 2 Suites by Marquette Jones
A Spoonful of Sugar by Andrea Williams
The Adventures of Supernigger: Episode I: The Final Chapter by Alrick Brown
Midway by Darius Clarke Monroe
A Riot in the Dark by Mike Brown
Pariah by Dee Rees
4pm: The Future Present (2008-present) shorts showcase
Men or Mice by Kiara C. Jones
Jackie by Tamika Guishard
Stone Cars by Reinaldo Marcus Green
Nehemiah by Tiisetso Dladla
The Bodega by Stefon Bristol
Black Girl in Paris by Kiandra Parks
6pm: Special Event: A Night with Shaka King – featuring Newlyweeds + Cocoa Loco and
Herkimer DuFrayne, 7th Grade Guidance Counselor
Detailed film descriptions for The Leagues Film Showcase
6 Things I Never Told You (2011), 92 min.
Directed by Stacey L. Holman, Cinque Northern, Ed DuRante, Rod Gailes OBC, Caran
Hartsfield, James Richards
With Jamie Hector, Novella Nelson, Dominique Morriseau, Hassan Manning, Cherise Booth
An anthology of six short films that each take a look at committed romantic relationships in flux
and all longing for one thing: control.
The Adventures of Supernigger: Episode I: The Final Chapter (2004), 15 min.
Directed by Alrick Brown
This fantastical tale about a superhero that comes face to face with his arch nemesis also
serves as an allegory about the 1999 shooting death of West African immigrant Amadou Diallo.
African Booty Scratcher (2007), 14 min.
Directed by Nikyatu Jusu
Cinematography by Daniel Patterson
With DeWanda Wise, Ebbe Bassey, Stephen Hill, Sofia Rodriguez
Prom nears and things seem to be spiraling out of control for the typically composed Isatu. In
this coming of age story, West African tradition conflicts with American idealism and Isatu is
forced to reassess her alliances.
Afronauts (2014), 14 min.
Directed by Frances Bodomo
With Diandra Forrest, Yolonda Ross, Hoji Fortuna
16th July 1969: America prepares to launch Apollo 11. Thousands of kilometers away, a ragtag
group of Zambian exiles is trying to beat America to the Moon.
America (2001), 9 min.
Directed by Ed DuRanté
A glimpse at the New York City art scene, where sex and money are more important than a
Black painter’s talent.
Around the Time (1997), 15 min.
Directed by Phil Bertelsen
The relationship of Cornelius and Margaret ends in the unexpected birth of their son–she a
carefree Irish-Catholic nursing student and he, a married African-American father. Both show
little interest in picket lines and demonstrations. Yet in this story of innocence, infidelity, and
taboo love, they leave a legacy of protest just the same.
Black Girl in Paris (2013), 20 min.
Directed by Kiandra Parks
With Tracey Heggins, Zaraah Abrahams
When a down on her luck aspiring writer runs out of money after moving to Paris, she meets a
street-smart prostitute who takes her on a whirlwind adventure of passion, self-discovery and
uninhibited sexual freedom. Adapted from the novel by Shay Youngblood.
The Bodega (2013), 7 min.
Directed by Stephon Bristol
A misguided teenager helps his debt-troubled father by involving his best friend Solomon in a
hold up at a local bodega, ending their friendship.
Cocoa Loco (2009), 15 min.
Directed by Shaka King
With Anthony Chisholm, Nedra McClyde, Kaya Stokes
A brief tale about guilt, cocoa butter scented lotion, and the strangers you call family.
Five Deep Breaths (2003), 21 min.
Directed by Seith Mann
With Jamie Hector, Anslem Richardson, Ka’ramuu Kush, Pascale Armand
College friends meet at the crossroads of loyalty and morality and are forced to decide which
path to walk.
Girl Talk (1997), 30 min.
Directed by Stacey Holman
A pampered twenty-something African-American woman learns to face the realities of adult life
with help of her three girlfriends in a book club.
Herkimer DuFrayne, 7th Grade Guidance Counselor (2010), 11 min.
Directed by Shaka King
With Isiah Johnson, Amber Gray, Bryce Gill
The worst day in the worst life of the worst guidance counselor in America.
Jackie. (2011), 17 min.
Directed by Tamika Guishard
Cinematography by Cybel Martin
Having grown up in East New York’s volatile child care system, Jackie Isley is armed with street
and book-smarts upon meeting "Ronnie" for the first time. Looking more like her sister, Jackie
soon learns that not only is she the product of a teenage pregnancy, but also that her mother is
out for blood…
Kiss It Up to God (2000), 24 min.
Directed by Caran Hartsfield
Esther Richardson, the black sheep of the family, "accidentally" fails to stand for the national
anthem while attending a memorial service.
Men or Mice (2011), 15 min.
Directed by Kiara C. Jones
A quiet evening at home turns into a night of terror for Jade. When she reaches out to the men
of her life for help, she discovers an unconventional hero… she hopes.
Midway (2007), 10 min.
Directed by Darius Clark Monroe
Four black men of various ages are at work in a barbershop. A resigned and long-suffering
senior citizen calmly shaves himself. An alternately jovial and frustrated older man named
Red sits in his barber chair waiting for customers. A resolute middle-aged man named Keith
graciously cuts a child’s hair, while the new teenage employee impatiently paces back and forth,
complaining and wanting to leave. The older men alternately ridicule, console, and boss the
new guy, explaining that none of them asked to be there. Later, another employee arrives with
important news that he is reluctant to share. What is the news? And how will it affect each man?
Nehemiah (2013), 22 min.
Directed by Tiisetso Dladla
Inspired by the courage of his favorite cartoon character, an autistic teenager embarks on a
journey to reconnect with his father.
Newlyweeds (2013), 87 min.
Directed by Shaka King
Cinematography by Daniel Patterson
A match made in stoner heaven turns into a love triangle gone awry when Lyle can’t decide
which matters most, Nina or Mary Jane.
Pariah (2007), 28 min.
Directed by Dee Rees
Cinematography by Bradford Young
With Adepero Oduye, Wendell Pierce, Pernell Walker and DeWanda Wise
A lesbian teenager unsuccessfully juggles multiple identities to avoid rejection from her friends
and family. Mounting pressure from home, school, and within wears the line between her
personas thin with explosive consequences.
Premature (2008), 15 min.
Directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green
Cinematography by Daniel Patterson
With Suzette Gunn, Zora Howard, Stephen Henderson
After Tisha, a streetwise teenager from the Bronx, discovers she’s pregnant and receives
no support from her community, she has nowhere to turn and is faced with the most difficult
decision she will ever make.
A Riot in the Dark (2006), 10 min.
Directed by Mike Brown
Cinematography by Daniel Patterson
Nasir’s plans for revenge are upturned when he catches his bully in a disturbing situation.
Say Grace Before Drowning (2010), 17 min.
Directed by Nikyatu Jusu
Cinematography by Daniel Patterson
With Ellie Foumbi, Dennise Gregory, Ebbe Bassey, Hisham Tawfiq, Kehinde Koyejo
After meeting her African refugee mother for the first time in six years, 8 year old Hawa is forced
to coexist with a woman teetering on the brink of insanity.
A Spoonful of Sugar (2003), 20 min.
Directed by Andrea Williams
With Noelle Gift, Silvestre Rasuk, Ebbe Bassey
Patrice is a young black girl, born with HIV, growing up in New York City. Now she has met a
boy and is beginning to experiment with sex.
Stone Cars (2014), 14 min.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green
A teenage girl growing up in dangerous Khayelitsha township is faced with a difficult decision
in the wake of a traumatic event. Stone Cars is a coming of age love story set in the shacks of
Khayelitsha township, one of the most dangerous areas in the world.
The lineup can be seen in its entirety below and more information can be found at https://wp.nyu.edu/theleaguesshowcase.
