Hayti Film Next Level – November 2021 Films
Hayti Film Next Level offers films that both speak to our community and promotes new and established talent. The Legend of Doon Ra, Tora Mkandawire Marten’s Martha & Niki, and Alexandre Rockwell’s Sweet Thing will be presented on the second weekend of November 2021. Screenings will take place in the Performance Hall at the Hayti Heritage Center, located at 804 Old Fayetteville Street Durham NC 27707. While Sweet Thing and The Legend of Doon Ra are available both in-person and online, Martha & Nikiwill screen in-person only. Registrations are open for November offerings at haytifilmnextlevelnovember.eventive.org.
To minimize exposure to COVID-19 for patrons, artists, staff, and volunteers, the Hayti Heritage Center will be requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48-hours of the screening. Wearing face masks covering the nose and mouth as well as social distancing are required. The Hayti Heritage Center undergoes increased cleaning procedures before and after all performances, events, and activities.
In 2010 Martha Nabwire and Niki Tsappos took part in the biggest international Street Dance Competition, Juste Debout in Paris. It was the first time ever two women became World Champions in Hip Hop. This documentary film depicts their love of dance, each other and about friendship put to the test. http://www.marthaniki.com
Sweet Thing is a soulful, uplifting, but also heartbreaking look at race and poverty’s impact on childhood. This fictional story revolves around two siblings and their struggle to find solid ground in the homes of their alcoholic father and negligent mother. https://www.sweetthingmovie.net
In The Legend of Doon Ra, a lone Zobrak in a dangerous galaxy must make a choice that will determine his fate forever.
Hayti Film Next Level – October Drive In!
In celebration of the Hayti Black Filmmakers Collective (HBFC), the Hayti Film Next Level series brings you two HBFC member films in October. These offerings will be presented the 2nd weekend in October featuring two drive-ins and online virtual screenings.
First we’ll screen the award-winning The Passing On (directed by Nathan Clarke and produced by HBFC member Lana Garland) at a drive-in on Friday, October 8th. Then on Saturday, October 9th it’s a night at the carnival with JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana (directed and produced by HBFC member Leslie Cunningham). Both films will be available online after their drive-in appearances.
The Passing On synopsis
Three professions ushered Black former slaves from poverty to the American dream: preacher, teacher, and undertaker. Lewis Funeral Home has functioned within this tradition as a pillar of the Black community in San Antonio, Texas since 1909. While Black funeral homes close across America as a result of the loss of Black neighborhoods and gentrification, Lewis’ current chief embalmer James Bryant cares deeply about this institution after a career of preparing over 10,000 bodies. And he’s damn good at it, having been named the National Embalmer of the Year in 2016. Now, James puts his faith in a new generation to continue this vanishing legacy. He’s met with resistance from his young intern, Clarence Pierre, who himself is conflicted about his commitment due to the judgment he feels from the Black community as a queer, Christian man. https://thepassingonmovie.com
JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana synopsis
A magical journey into the complexities of American entertainment, race history and family, JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana is a compelling documentary produced by director Leslie Cunningham who shines a spotlight on her family’s Black and Cuban traveling revue- a so-called “Jig Show” that endures racism, segregation and immigration laws to become popular in the 1940s through the 1960s. Also unearthed is the legend of producer Leon Claxton, a brave African-American showman who left an extraordinary entertainment legacy despite the insurmountable odds against him and his dreams. https://www.jigshow.com/Visit jigshow.com
Both filmmakers will be in attendance. The JIG SHOW drive-in will also have a pre-screening “tease” of the type of entertainment that would have been presented at Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana!
