In the feature documentary "25 to Life," William Brawner, a young African American man who contracted HIV at just 18 months old – something he and his immediate family kept a secret for 25 Years, from his friends, extended family, and lovers, many who Brawner had unprotected sex with – finally, at 27 years old, decides to publicly disclose his secret, to the shock and anger of many friends, family, and past girlfriends, as you’d imagine. The film follows Brawner as he confronts his promiscuous past, and tries to forge a new open honest life with his HIV negative wife.
The film, a Ford Foundation grant winner, which we first got our attention on this blog 3 years ago, has now been picked up by ARRAY, the multi-platform distribution label of the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM), the announced was made today.
The feature directorial debut of Mike L. Brown, which also received support from the Sundance Institute, Cinereach, Good Pitch, IFP, Firelight Media Lab and Tribeca All Access, Array will release "25 to Life" for a one-week engagement in Los Angeles on November 28, 2014, followed by one-night engagements worldwide, beginning on World Aids Day on December 1, 2014.
"Director Mike Brown’s focused exploration of manhood as witnessed through William provides an important entry into a rarely seen aspect of the Black family dynamic. Peeling back the stigmatic layers of HIV and AIDS allows for a vital and open dialogue. We’re pleased to work with this new documentarian in connecting ’25 to Life’ with its audience,” said ARRAY’s Managing Director Tilane Jones.
The deal was negotiated by Gordon Bobb of Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano on behalf of AFFRM, with producers Leah Thomas and Khaliah Neal.
More on the film via its website: www.25tolifefilmsite.com.
Screening dates and locations follow below:
NOVEMBER 28
LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT
DECEMBER 1
NEW YORK IMAGENATION RAW SPACE
PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
WASHINGTON, DC ANACOSTIA ARTS CENTER
CHICAGO DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
SEATTLE LANGSTON HUGHES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
HOUSTON HOUSTON MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
DETROIT CINEMA DETROIT
MONTGOMERY, AL PURE ARTISTRY LITERARY CAFE
TACOMA, WA GRAND CINEMA
GREENSBORO, NC THE ARTIST BLOC
OAKLAND MINDSEED SOUND STAGES
DENVER SIE FILM CENTER
HONOLULU HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART
CHARLOTTE, NC THE LITTLE ROCK CULTURAL CENTER
LONDON BRIXTON RITZY
MIAMI AMERICAN ART INITIATIVE
DECEMBER 8
BOSTON ARTSEMERSON
APRIL 9
LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
