Photo via AFI Docs
Last weekend I watched The New Black at AFI Docs in Washington, D.C. It was a very inspiring, informative movie. The Q&A with the filmmakers and activists featured in the documentary was really great. I included some pictures from the Q&A below.
The New Black will screen at AFI Docs tonight at 9:30 as part of the Best of the Fest screenings. If you’re not in the D.C. area tonight, check out the screening page on the film’s website. You can get more info on upcoming screenings and sign up to host a screening in your area.
Here’s the film description from AFI Docs:
In this thought-provoking film, director Yoruba Richen examines how African-American voters have become bitterly divided on the issue of gay marriage because of homophobia rampant in one of the pillars of the African-American community – the church. Focusing on the fight for marriage equality in the state of Maryland, it examines the complex intertwined histories of gays and blacks and the idea that this hot-button issue is a matter of civil rights. – AP
When Amendment One passed in North Carolina recently, I considered making a documentary about marriage equality as it related to that specific piece of legislature (read that blog post here). When I learned someone else was already making a similar doc, I shared the Kickstarter page so folks could contribute to it (read that blog post here). I emailed the filmmaker, letting him know I’d be happy to lend a hand when he was filming in N.C. since I was really interested in the subject. The New Black is about a similar move in Maryland and, more specifically, “how the African-American community is grappling with the gay rights issue.”
The New Black seems like a fair, balanced look at both sides of the issue within a specific community. I appreciated that. I really enjoyed the movie and the folks featured in it.
Relevant links:
- The New Black on Twitter (@NewBlackFilm)
- The New Black website
- Interview: “Divides on gay rights in the black community continue“
Director of “The New Black,” Yoruba Richen, takes a question during the Q&A following the screening at AFI Docs 2013. Photo by Camden Watts.
Sharon Lettman-Hicks, the executive director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) was featured in “The New Black” and answered questions during the Q&A following the screening at AFI Docs 2013. Photo by Camden Watts.
“The New Black” filmmakers and featured activists during the Q&A at AFI Docs 2013. Left to right: Yoruba Richen, Yvonne Welbon, Karess Taylor-Hughes, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, and Angela Tucker. Photo by Camden Watts.