I certainly hope that all those folks who were upset with my box office piece on "The Perfect Guy" (and the "support black films" brigade) will be rushing out to see this when it comes to a theater in your neck of the woods; or you have already seen it, if it’s currently playing at a theater near you (or you plan to).
For those in NYC and Boston, you should know that it’s been extended for at least another week, meaning, if you haven’t seen it yet, and you live in those 2 cities, you’re in luck!
This weekend, it opens in DC, Philadelphia, Providence, Baltimore, St. Louis, Seattle, and Santa Fe.
For the rest of the country, check out the full schedule of planned openings through November in the table below, and look for your city. It’s not expected to travel the entire country, but if you’re one of the lucky ones, make the effort to see it at your local theater before it leaves. It’ll eventually be broadcast as part of PBS’ independent film series "INDEPENDENT LENS," but that won’t be until some time in 2016. Although if it continues to fare well during its theatrical run, there’s a good chance that the run will be extended, and the film will open in even more cities; hence why it’s important to see it while it’s in theaters.
Stanley Nelson’s acclaimed new documentary, “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution" is a definitive portrait of the Black Panther Party – its rise and fall – painting a complete and accurate account of the revolutionary black nationalist organization; a film that should act as a reminder, as well as an education (especially for the uninitiated, unaware of those whose shoulders they stand on).
As Nelson himself states, the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party is a story "that hasn’t been told," adding that, "the Panthers have been part of other films, or there have been stories about individual Panthers. But there’s never been a really great movie about the Black Panther Party."
The documentary not only looks at the rise and fall of the Party, but also its influence on how African Americans think of themselves today, especially in consideration of recent (and ongoing) collective action within communities nationwide, in response to multiple incidents of police brutality that led to fatalities. A key Panther practice was its monitoring of police officers, and challenges of police brutality.
Said Mr. Nelson. “The Black Panthers made an indelible imprint on American culture and politics. The story of their rise and fall is essential history for understanding the times we live in, and the complicated political dynamics that are still at play.”
Read Ashley Clark’s interview with former Panther Jamal Joseph here.
Here are current and upcoming screenings of the film. It’s even heading to the UK!
NOW PLAYING | Film Forum
9/15, 5:00pm: Stanley Nelson, co-presented by Studio Museum of Harlem, New York Historical Society, and the Museum of Contemportary African Diasporan Arts |
New York, NY |
NOW PLAYING | AMC Magic Johnson Harlem
9/15, 7:15pm: Stanley Nelson and Panther William "BJ" Johnson, moderated by 1199 |
Harlem, NY |
NOW PLAYING | Landmark Kendall Square | Boston, MA |
NOW PLAYING | Space Gallery | Portland, ME |
September 16 | Charles Theater
7:00pm, Special advance screening with Stanley Nelson, moderated by Charles Robinson, Maryland Public TV |
Baltimore, MD |
Opens September 18 | E Street Cinema
9/18, 4:30pm: Stanley Nelson, presented by Million Hoodies for Justice and Black Lives Matter 9/18, 7:15pm: Stanley Nelson with Tiffany Loftin (AFL-CIO), Oluwakemi Oso (Black Youth Project), moderated by Austin Thompson of Working Families 9/19, 4:30pm: Producer Laurens Grant, moderated by Judith Brown-Dianis of Advancement Project 9/19, 7:15pm: Producer Laurens Grant and Ka Flewellen of ONE DC, moderated by Eugene Puryear of ONE DC |
Washington, DC |
Opens September 18 | Landmark Ritz at the Bourse
9/18, 4:00pm: Producer Laurens Grant and Panther Sultan Ahmad 9/18, 7:00pm: Producer Laurens Grant and Panther Sultan Ahmad 9/20, 4:00pm: Stanley Nelson, moderated by David Haas 9/20, 7:00pm: Stanley Nelson, moderated by WHYY’s James Peterson of ‘The Remix’ |
Philadelphia, PA |
Opens September 18 | Cable Car Cinema | Providence, RI |
Opens September 18 | Charles Theatre
9/19, 1:15pm: Stanley Nelson, moderated by DeRay McKesson 9/19, 4:05pm: Stanley Nelson, presented by ACLU 9/19, 7:00pm: Stanley Nelson |
Baltimore, MD |
Opens September 18 | AMC Loews White Marsh 16 | Baltimore, MD |
Opens September 18 | Webster Film Series
9/18, 7:30pm: Special panel including Tory Russell, Johnson Lancaster, and Stephanie Williams moderated by MK Stallings |
St. Louis, MO |
Opens September 18 | Northwest Film Forum | Seattle, WA |
Opens September 18 | CCA Santa Fe
9/20, 2:00pm: Special panel including Fred Hampton attorney Jeff Haas and Black Panther Aaron Dixon |
Santa Fe, NM |
September 18 | Sydney Underground Film Festival | Sydney, AUSTRALIA |
September 18 | Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival | Cleveland, OH |
September 20 | Sydney Underground Film Festival | Sydney, AUSTRALIA |
Opens September 25 | Landmark Nuart
Stanley Nelson in person 9/25 and 9/26! |
Los Angeles, CA |
Opens September 25 | Gene Siskel Film Center
9/25, 8:00pm: Tracye Matthews and Panther Dr. Ahmad Rahman 9/26, 8:00pm: Hosted by ImageNation 9/27, 5:00pm: Stanley Nelson, moderated by Leah Gipson of Long Walk Home 9/28, 8:00pm: Reginald Edmund of the African American Arts Alliance 10/1, 8:15pm: Hosted by Columbia College Black Student Union |
Chicago, IL |
Opens September 25 | O Cinema Wynwood | Miami, FL |
Opens September 25 | Digital Gym Cinema | San Diego, CA |
September 28 | Milwaukee Film Festival – BlackLENS Special Screening
Stanley Nelson in person! |
Milwaukee, WI |
September 30 | Marchesa Hall & Theater
Presented by the Austin Film Society |
Austin, TX |
Opens October 2 | Landmark Opera Plaza
Stanley Nelson in person opening weekend! |
San Francisco, CA |
Opens October 2 | Piedmont Theatre
Stanley Nelson in person opening weekend! |
Oakland, CA |
Opens October 2 | Shattuck Cinemas
Stanley Nelson in person opening weekend! |
Berkeley, CA |
Opens October 2 | Smith Rafael Film Center
Stanley Nelson in person opening weekend! |
San Rafael, CA |
October 5 | Milwaukee Film Festival – BlackLENS Special Screening | Milwaukee, WI |
October 7 | Images Cinema | Williamstown, MA |
October 8 | Hollywood Theatre – Special Advance Screening | Portland, OR |
Opens October 9 | Hollywood Theatre | Portland, OR |
Opens October 9 | Landmark Midtown Art Cinemas
Stanley Nelson in person 10/9 and 10/10! |
Atlanta, GA |
Opens October 9 | Landmark Theatres | Minneapolis, MN |
Opens October 9 | Bloor Hot Docs Cinema | Toronto, CANADA |
Opens October 9 | Real Art Ways | Hartford, CT |
October 9 | Gary International Black Film Festival | Gary, IN |
October 11 | Detroit Film Theater
Stanley Nelson via Skype Q&A! |
Detroit, MI |
October 16 | Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts | Grand Rapids, MI |
October 16 | Derby Quad | Derby, ENGLAND |
October 19 | Doc Days at Curzon Soho | London, ENGLAND |
October 20 | Little Theater | Rochester, NY |
Opens October 23 | DocHouse | London, ENGLAND |
Opens October 23 | Watershed | Bristol, ENGLAND |
Opens October 23 | Chapter | Cardiff, ENGLAND |
Opens October 23 | Broadway Cinema | Nottigham, ENGLAND |
October 28 | Movies That Movies – University of Calgary | Calgary, CANADA |
Opens October 30 | Phoenix Cinema | London, ENGLAND |
Opens October 30 | MAC | Birmingham, ENGLAND |
Opens October 30 | Home | Manchester, ENGLAND |
Opens October 30 | Irish Film Institute | Dublin, IRELAND |
Opens October 30 | Showroom | Sheffield, ENGLAND |
November 3 | The Nickelodeon | Columbia, SC |