Long time readers of S&A may be instantly familiar with writer/filmmaker/journalist Dwayne Johnson-Cochran's name, as he's been mentioned in a few posts over the last 2 years – all regarding his attachment to Angela Bassett's directorial debut, a film adaptation of author Percival Everett's novel Erasure (to be titled United States).
Dwayne is the screenwriter penning the screenplay adaptation (he's also a producer), which we first alerted you to in 2009. But little appears to have moved on that project. Last I checked with Dwayne, earlier this year, he told me that there really wasn't anything new to report on it, and that I should continue to reach out to him every several months.
Of course, Angela's also been fairly busy with both stage and film work; although, once her current Broadway run in The Mountaintop is over (likely in early 2012, though it's been extended a couple of times thanks to healthy box office), she really doesn't have any other definite projects in the works; there's the sequel to Waiting To Exhale (Getting To Happy) which Terry McMillan has said she's adapting. However, it's not what I'd call a secured project, because a lot still has to happen for it to become a reality.
So, who knows, maybe United States could go into production in 2012. When I know, you'll know.
In the meantime, Dwayne is also keeping himself busy with his own directorial projects; specifically, a feature documentary on multi-award winning percussionist, Kahil EL' Zabar – "one of music’s most enigmatic musical geniuses… who performs all over the world but lives in the United States where most people have never heard of him," as Dwayne himself states.
And I'll admit that I'm one of those people who lives in the USA who has never heard of Kahil El ' Zabar, who, as I learned this morning, has collaborated with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Cannonball Adderley, and Paul Simon. So this is a project I'm certainly interested in seeing, whenever it's complete.
But for it to be complete, Dwayne is trying to raise completion funds via Kickstarter; he says that the film has been shot, and now funds are needed to finish it and get it ready for an eventual release. $25,000 is the goal, with 24 days left and just over $1,300 raised so far.
So, if you would like to contribute to the cause, visit the project's Kickstarter page HERE, where you'll also find lots more info on the film, including its importance; and while there, be sure to donate.
Watch the 10-minute preview below: