Black Perspectives Set For October 16th Through October 27th
Black Perspectives Set For October 16th Through October 27th
By Tia Carol Jones
For the last 60 years, the Chicago International Film Festival has been showcasing cinematic talent and providing access to films from across the world. In 1997, the Black Perspectives program was founded in collaboration with Spike Lee as a way to spotlight diverse films from African Americans and the African diaspora. Black Perspectives is continuing its tradition with programming from Oct. 16th through the 27th.
Amir George, Black Perspectives program festival programmer, said the slate of films this year celebrate the richness and diversity of African Americans and Black storytellers that are making art across the world. He, along with a team of seven other people, helped curate the film for the festival.
George said that because of the work Black Perspectives does to showcase emerging and established African American filmmakers, it has world premiered films by Ava DuVernay, Lee Daniels and George Tillman. Black Perspectives also featured a tribute and awarded established film artists like Viola Davis, Forrest Whitaker and Sidney Poitier. This year, Andre Holland will be honored for his artistic achievement.
“The Piano Lesson” stars John David Washington and is directed by Malcolm Washington. The film will screen at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16th at The Music Box Theatre, located at 3733 N. Southport, and at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17th, at AMC Newcity, located at 1500 N. Clybourn Ave. Malcolm will be receiving a breakthrough award and John David will be receiving a spotlight award. George said as an August Wilson fan, he was excited to see the play turned into a film.
“The performances are incredible. It’s one of those movies that deals with so many things, as far as tradition, family and legacy. It’s a very powerful piece of art that I think everyone should have a chance to experience,” George said.
A showing of the film, “The Spook Who Sat By the Door,” will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20th, at the Logan Center for the Arts, located at 915 E. 60th St., and at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23rd, at the Chicago History Museum, located at 1601 N. Clark. The 1973 film has been restored and Pemon Rami, J.A. Preston and David Lamieux are scheduled to attend the Oct. 20th showing.
George said that a lot of the films are only accessible during the film festival, which gives people an opportunity to see films they might never see again. George said the intention to give Black filmmakers and stories attention through Black Perspectives is necessary and urgent.
George’s favorite film at the festival is “Dahomey,” which is a documentary about sculptures taken from Benin and put in museums in France and being brought back to Benin.
“It’s just a powerful story about art and who gets access to art and the role culture plays in our history,” George said.
“Dahomey” will be shown at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20th, at the Gene Siskel Film Center, located at 164 N. State St., and at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25th, at AMC Newcity, 1500 N. Clybourn.
For more information about Black Perspectives, visit https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/festival-program/black-perspectives.
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