Hayti Film Next Level – December 2021 Films
This month’s films speak to innovation and Black excellence, so in December we’re partnering with Provident 1898!
Provident1898 is a coworking hub for entrepreneurs located in The Tower at Mutual Plaza, the re-imagination of one of Durham’s most historic landmark buildings. Founded in 1898, The North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association (later named North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co.) established itself as the cornerstone of what would become the world famous “Black Wall Street” in Durham, NC. It is on these hallowed grounds that the Provident1898 story begins and where another chapter of entrepreneurship and innovation will be written.
In association with Hayti Film Next Level series and Provident 1898, we present three films:
THE SLEEPING NEGRO + Colder
In The Sleeping Negro, a young black man, simply identified as “Man,” must resolve the personal meaning of his blackness when his white boss orders him to commit fraud to benefit the corporation. Struggling with an overwhelming sense of shame for going through with the illegal demand, Man seeks consolation by discussing his unease with a black former friend and his white fiancé. Those conversations lead only to further confusion and frustrations… Following on the footstep of the LA Rebellion filmmakers, Skinner Myers tells a very personal and intimate Black story in a radically non-traditional cinematic style as a means to express freely his feelings as a Black man in America.
“A superb character study of a black man, how he sees himself and how he was treated by society, it is surreal yet real and terrifying.” ~ Ulkar Alakbarova, moviemovesme.com
Written/directed by and starring Skinner Myers.
Also catch North Carolina native, Joy T. Lane’s short film Colder: Jerry, a depressed and angry grandfather, reluctantly babysits his grandson, Mickey, while his wife Rita goes to the store for beer. Jerry comes to regret it when the seemingly innocent Mickey proves to be a quick study in his overbearing bullying ways.
AILEY
Alvin Ailey was a trailblazing pioneer who found salvation through dance. AILEY traces the full contours of this brilliant and enigmatic man whose search for the truth in movement resulted in enduring choreography that centers on the Black American experience with grace, strength, and unparalleled beauty. Told through Ailey’s own words and featuring evocative archival footage and interviews with those who intimately knew him, director Jamila Wignot weaves together a resonant biography of an elusive visionary.
You’ve got options! Either head to the socially distant screenings at Provident 1898 on December 10th and 11th, or screen one of the films virtually in the comfort of your own home.
PLEASE NOTE:
To minimize exposure to COVID-19 for patrons, artists, staff, and volunteers, Provident 1898 will be requiring the following;
