Kenyon Farrow | Writer. Speaker. Activist. » maurice jamal

Queer Black Cinema Takes NYC This Weekend

Kenyon Farrow — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:31:04 +0000

Noah’s Arc isn’t the only movie featuring the Black queer community. And if you want a little more gender parity of Black queer life in the mix, you can’t miss this weekend’s Queer Black Cinema Film Festival in New York City, running from Thursday, October 30-Sunday, November 2.The films they have on hand are diverse in subject and range of experience, and some feature or were made by friends of mine including Ignacio Rivera, C. Sala Hewitt, Hanifah Walidah & Olive Demetrius, and Maurice Jamal! CHECK THE SCHEDULE HERE:

Queer Black Cinema , New York’s first and Only Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer monthly micro-cinema series and annual film festival. We are a grassroots, volunteer-run organization who mission is dedicated to showcasing independent narrative and documentary works by U.S. and international Black LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer). We screen and promote all people of color artist by screening their trailers and original music . QBC film series takes place varies times once a month at the LGBT Community Center and other locations throughout the New York Metropolitan area. YOU MUST CHECK THIS SITE OR WWW.QUEERBLACKCINEMA.ORG FOR UPDATES.All are welcome to attend regardless of their sexual orientation, race or gender. We aim to entertain, enlighten and educate through our niche programming.

Please attend, tell your people, and watch the trailers here.

NYC Theater Bags 'Dirty Laundry' After Smash Weekend

Kenyon Farrow — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:51:18 +0000

This is an instance where “green” does not override “black.” Even in limited release in LA and NYC, the new comedy “Dirty Laundry” was the highest grossing movie per screen this past weekend, making a whopping $12,000 per screen, with The Golden Compass coming in second at $7,308. And yet, the Chelsea Clearview, the theater that caters to the white gay community, decided to close the film this Thursday, after only one week. The film opens widely on the 28th.

According to Keith Boykin.com, the film producers don’t want people to protest, but would rather focus on the positive, and gear up for the nationwide opening. Apparently the theater said that the opening success (with two sold-out shows in a 24 hour period) was not enough to keep running the film. Mind you, I know I have seen films at the Clearview with a damn near empty house, and yet somehow or another, ‘Dirty Laundry’ didn’t make enough money? Chile please!

I haven’t seen the film yet. I was out of town this weekend, but had made plans with a friend to try to catch it this weekend. Now, I guess that will not happen. I hope Maurice Jamal and the rest of the production team pushes to get the film opened elsewhere.

I don’t really know if the Clearview is a white and gay owned establishment. But I do know that is who they cater to. And this goes to show, (contrary to the people who like to think we’re “beyond race” and it’s just about “class” now) Black queers are still black and white people still see us as such, gay or not. In addition, black people’s buying power is never respected to the degree that if this had been a white gay film opening.

GO See 'Dirty Laundry' This Weekend in NYC & LA

Kenyon Farrow — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:36:28 +0000

DIRTY LAUNDRY IN THEATERS IN NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES

DIRTY LAUNDRY IN THEATERS IN NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES
FRIDAY, DECEMEBER 7, 2007

Gay/SGL Men of African Descent is proud to support “Dirty Laundry” and encourages the Black Gay/SGL community and their supporters in New York City and Los Angeles to come out December 7th to see this ground-breaking film. The movie will be released in select cities nationwide on December 28th and it is our hope that you will see it when it comes to your city.

New York Theater: Clearview Chelsea West Theater
333 West 23rd Street (b/t 8th & 9th)
New York, NY 10011
Los Angeles: Mann Beverly Center Cinemas (Inside Beverly Center)
8522 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90038

DIRTY LAUNDRY Opens in New York & Los Angeles on December 7th In select cities nationwide on December 28th
www.dirtylaundrythe movie.com
www.myspace. com/dirtylaundry movie
View Official Trailer on Dirty Laundry’s You Tube Channel
www.youtube. com/dirtylaundry themovie

ABOUT DIRTY LAUNDRY

DIRTY LAUNDRY is a modern-day prodigal son story with a twist. It follows magazine writer Patrick, skillfully played by Rockmond Dunbar (Prison Break, Soul Food), who seems to have the “perfect life,” until one day there is a knock at the door. On the other side stands a secret that brings him face to face with the traditional southern family he hasn’t seen in over 10 years.

DIRTY LAUNDRY’s cast includes a colorful array of character and comedic actors including Loretta Devine (Waiting to Exhale, I Am Sam, Dreamgirls) as “Evelyn”, Jenifer Lewis (Antwone Fisher Story, Castaway) as “Aunt Lettuce”, Terri J. Vaughn (Daddyâ€™s Little Girls, Steve Harvey Show) as “Jackie”, Sommore (Queens of Comedy, The Parkers) as “Abby”, Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty) as “Daniel” and Director Maurice Jamal as “Eugene”. Supermodel Veronica Webb also appears in a fun cameo.

DIRTY LAUNDRY is the winner of the 2006 American Black Film Festival Audience Award for “Best Film” and “Best Actor – Loretta Devine.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJG20kWKikU]