I Am Not Your Negro

The documentary I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO is based on writer James Baldwin's manuscript, Remember This House. This insightful film explores the history of racism in the United States of America. It is astonishing how words Baldwin spoke over 40 years ago are still relevant today. Director Raoul Peck masterfully blends current events with segments about civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X.

I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is http://www.iamnotyournegrofilm.com/.

Wise Women Speak

This week I watched the documentary, GET REAL! WISE WOMEN SPEAK, at the Sacramento International Film Festival. The film is uplifting and confirms the importance of living each day to its fullest by living your dream and pursuing your passions. Overall, each of the women expresses what it means to age wisely.

Various topics are discussed: career, faith, spirituality, relationships, body image, plastic surgery, etc. The ladies candidly share their perspectives. In addition, director Joni Steele Kimberlin does an excellent job of showing at least two sides of subjects like marriage and grandparenting. Lastly, I applaud Kimberlin on the selection of women in the documentary. They range from actress/author Jane Fonda to oceanographer Sylvia Earle.

For more information about GET REAL! WISE WOMEN SPEAK and to watch the trailer, visit: http://www.cowgirlfilms.com/.

Comrades in Dreams

The documentary, COMRADES IN DREAMS, follows four theatre owners from four different parts of the world: Korea, India, United States, and Faso. Each of them love movies and share that passion with their communities. The theatre owner in Korea is the only woman in her country to work in cinema and the theatre owner in India is only 25 years old, and actually runs a moving tent theatre, taking the movies to various villages. The theatre showcased in the United States is owned by a lady, who lives in a very small, rural town, and the theatre in Faso is operated by three friends who dedicate much of their time to maintaining it; in the movie, their families express how they wish the men would spend more time at home.

I recently watched COMRADES IN DREAMS on the Sundance Channel. It received a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. This documentary reminded me of how important it is that people, including me, make movies because every person revealed the impact films have had on their lives.