We’ve written about it a number of times over the years, and
it’s finally here: the premiere of the Christopher Everett’s documentary
“Wilmington on Fire.”
And from the fresh opening titles and new video previews, it
appears that the wait was well worth.
“Wilmington on Fire” makes its world premiere next week
Saturday November 14th at, quite appropriately, the Cucalorus Film
Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina at Thalian Hall (Main), 310 Chestnut St,
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401.
For those unfamiliar with the story, as Everett conveys, “The
Wilmington Massacre was a bloody attack on the African-American community by a
heavily armed white mob with the support of the North Carolina Democratic Party
on November 10, 1898 in the port city of Wilmington, North Carolina. It is
considered one of the only successful examples of a coup d’état in the United
States that left countless numbers of African-American citizens dead and exiled
from the city. This event was the spring board for the white supremacy movement
and Jim Crow segregation throughout the state of North Carolina and the
American South.”
The film’s look into the historical and present day effects
of this violent overthrow and displacement, unfolded within the film by Dr.
Umar Johnson, Sandy Darity, Larry Reni Thomas, Dr. Lewin Manly, Kent Chatfield,
and various other historians and descendents of the massacre, comes at a time
of increased American racial politics in which African-Americans – and frankly
everyone – need to better understand the United States’ full history.
Take a fresh look at the trailer directly below.
Wilmington on Fire (trailer) from Wilmington on Fire on Vimeo.
Pete Chatmon (“Premium”) serves as Executive Producer on “Wilmington
on Fire” and “Hidden Colors” film series director Tariq Nasheed is an Associate
Producer.
In addition to the premiere, the filmmakers are releasing
the film’s soundtrack on SoundCloud on November 10th, the anniversary of
the 1898 massacre. You can preview
the head-bopping opening title song, “Voice of the Regular People,” by Ness Lee
and Illastrate in the opening title sequence, right below. It has a sweet Curtis Mayfield sample. After an exclusive soundtrack listen, "Heaven In My Veins by Bluz
ft. Shannon Grier, Don Darko’s ‘Fire,’ and ‘Motherless Child’ by
Trav’sty, featuring Melissa Thomas-Cobb, are also standouts.
Wilmington On Fire – Opening Titles from chris salvador on Vimeo.
Purchase tickets for the premiere at the Cucalorus Film Festival
website and follow “Wilmington on Fire” on their website, and on Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram for further information about screenings.
