Jock Docs: Wintersports

POP STAR ON ICE

dir. David Barbra and James Pellerito, 2009, 85 minutes

POP STAR ON ICE is an unprecedented behind-the-scenes portrait of outspoken Olympian and three-time US Figure Skating National Champion Johnny Weir. When Johnny fails to win a medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics, the media turns on him and he feels the backlash. Love him or hate him, Johnny is one of the most talented skaters of all time, but talent alone does not make a champion.

Johnny’s complicated relationship with his longtime coach Priscilla Hill and his struggle to reach the top of the sport takes us from small town Delaware – his training home – to competitions, shopping sprees, fashion shows and personal appearances around the world. The inspiration for Jon Heder’s character in the box office smash BLADES OF GLORY, Johnny seeks to balance his larger-than-life persona with the constraints of his sport. POP STAR ON ICE uncovers the graceful, athletic, cut-throat and melodramatic sport of figure skating through the prism of its most controversial athlete as he tries to fulfill his potential on the world stage.

Jockdocs: Wintersports Double Feature!

The Ecstacy of Sculptor Steiner

dir. Werner Herzog, 1974, 45 minutes

This 45-minute feature takes a look at the life of champion ski-jumper Walter Steiner, who also carves out a career for himself as a carpenter. Director Werner Herzog shoots Steiner as he breaks the world ski-jumping record in Yugoslavia in 1974, while also highlighting his unusual wooden sculptures, and allowing time for Steiner to muse on his life and career. Herzog beautifully captures this odd character as he soars through the Yugoslavian skies, while also painting him as a daredevil whose regular dalliances with death on the slopes are a pointed contrast to his off-slope career.

Double Davis (2006)

dir. Kees Jongkind, 46 minutes

This award-winning film, made by Dutch channel NOS, about longtrack speedskating champion Shani Davis from Chicago, first aired in 2006.  Shani (a Swahili name picked by his father meaning ‘light’ and ‘weight’) was the first black speedskater to earn a spot on the Olympic Team in 2002 and was the first skater to make all three World teams in the same season winning medals at all three events.  In 2009-2010, he broke two world records (1000m and 1500m), won Gold and Silver in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games -- becoming the first speedskater to repeat as Olympic 1000 m Champion -- and he won his third consecutive Overall World Cup Titles in the 1000 and 1500 meters.

Maysles Cinema and New York Women in Film & Television

Co-Present:

Mechanic To Millionaire: The Peter Cooper Story

6:45pm

Wine and Cheese Reception

7:30pm

Mechanic To Millionaire: The Peter Cooper Story

Janet Gardner, 2010, 57 min.

This is the rags-to-riches story of Peter Cooper, a remarkable inventor, industrialist and philanthropist during the 19th Century who used his wealth and influence to foster social justice. Peter Cooper's name may not carry the same cache and instant recognition as Andrew Carnegie or John D. Rockefeller, but his contributions to American society are arguably just as, if not more, important. Peter Cooper built the first American steam locomotive and was instrumental in laying the first trans-Atlantic cable. Every day millions of children enjoy one of Cooper's first innovations, an instant gelatin, now known as "Jell-O". This is his story.

A panel discussion will follow the screening on Peter Cooper's contributions to NYC and to the nation, his vision of social justice, and his dream of free working people, regardless of race, gender, religion or class. Also some of Cooper Union's famous speakers will be discussed, including Victoria Woodhull, who advocated free love in the Great Hall of the Cooper Union, and who was the first woman stock broker as well as the first woman to run for President of the U.S. (she's also featured prominently in the film).  

Panelists include filmmaker Janet Gardner, author John Steele Gordon ( The Scarlet Woman of Wall Street, An Empire of Wealth: The Epic History of American Economic Power), and Marcia Rock, the director of the News & Documentary department at NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute.  

Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

ONE DAY

Penny Woodlock (2010)

Considered Britain’s first Hip Hop musical, this film draws heavily on the Afro-Carribean British film tradition that Keeling Beckford specialized in this year. But here, Reggae and Rub-a-Dub have been replaced with Grime and the “non-professional” actors deliver high powered lyrics along with their dramatic performances. 1 Day the attention to daily hardship of Caribbean life in England with Pressure and Babylon, with the nihilistic gangsterism of films like Boyz in the Hood and Training Day.

Rated R for language & violence.

The Experiment | Retrospective

The experiment Part 4 A long look back

‘The Experiment’ is a quarterly screening series that charts the border regions of documentary and experimental modes of filmmaking. This year’s final Experiment takes a much broader focus than previous screening and casts a long look at cinema history.  When did these two genres emerge, and what is their relationship in the context of cinema history? Modern works will be shown along side this first films ever shot in this special one-night event.

Curated by Lorenzo & Peter

Presented with the National Jazz Museum of Harlem: Rhythm is Our Business

The Drummers : Kenny Washington

Jazz drummer and historian Kenny Washington is a repository of jazz music in story and in practice. He can tell you the history of jazz and jazz drumming, and then show you what he’s talking about. Hailing from Staten Island, NY, Kenny began his career in the late ‘70s with Lee Konitz, and was a favorite of stalwart musicians such as Johnny Griffin, Betty Carter, and countless others. His record collection is the envy of jazz collectors, his moniker “the jazz maniac,” was earned while doing deejay work on WBGO. Today, he can be found playing in the trio of pianist Bill Charlap as well as the ensemble led by legend Ahmad Jamal. And tonight he’ll share the legacy of jazz drumming on film featuring Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, Ray McKinley, Papa Jo Jones, Sid Catlett, and many others, so don’t miss this rare opportunity!

New Haven Oral History

This fascinating film deals with young students in New Haven who seek to uncover for themselves the important history of the Black Panthers in New Haven. When their teacher gives them an oral history assignment the topic they choose to investigate is the 1970 New Haven Black Panther trails. The movie is fascinating it how it looks at the legacy of the Black Panthers, the role of the youth in continuing the struggle as well as the importance of history, how we view it and the various ways that it can survive.

Q&A with Rosemari Mealy of the New Haven Chapter and others TBA                                               

8:30pm

In Prison My Whole Life

Marc Evans, 2007, 90 min.

The title “In Prison My Whole Life” refers to the writer and producer of the film William Francome and how Mumia Abu- Jamal has been on death row all of his then twenty-five year long life. The movie, featuring interviews with the likes of Noam Chomsky, Angela Davis, Alice Walker, Amy Goodman, Snoop Dog and Mos Def, explores the issue of Mumia through the personal journey of William Francome as he seeks to explore for himself the life and case of Mumia Abu- Jamal.

Cointelpro 101

Dir. Andres Alegria, Prentis Hemphill, Anita Johnson, 2010, 90 min.

This movie is a straight-up educational documentary about COINTELPRO (counter intelligence program) which was a covert and often extra-legal war waged against various nationalist, anti-war and leftist movements by the FBI that involved in turn various modes of surveillance, framings and assassinations. The documentary includes interviews with Kathleen Cleaver and Ward Churchill.

Q&A with Ward Churchill

7:00pm

In the Land of the Free

Dir. Vadim Jean, 2010, 84 min.

This 2010 documentary (narrated by Samuel L. Jackson) is about the Angola 3, three prisoners who while serving their time in Angola State Prison (the United States’ most notorious penal colony) joined the BPP and participated in non- violent resistance campaigns protesting the terrible conditions, prisoner abuse and sexual slavery rampant inside the prison. As a result, they were falsely accused of murder while in prison and have all been, with the exception of Robert King who was released in 2001, serving the last 38 years in solitary confinement.

Followed by party and book signing with King Wilkerson sponsored by Sugar Hill Ale

Eldridge Cleaver-Black Panther

Theme: Unite to Fight

Dir. William Klein, 1970, 75 min.

The time is 1969 and reporter William Klein is in Algeria covering the pan-African festival. While there he conducts a riveting interview with Black Panther in exile Eldridge Cleaver about everything ranging from the Vietnam War and the attempts on Cleaver’s life to the relations between black-power groups and Pan-African movements worldwide. This movie is the record of that interview.

8:15pm

Aoki

Dir. Ben Wang and Mike Cheng, 2009, 94 mins.

One of the best-kept secrets in the history of the Black Panther Party is the life of Richard Aoki, which is the subject of this documentary. Richard Aoki, who was placed in a Japanese interment camp along with his family when he was only four years old, grew up in Oakland, went to Berkeley and eventually joined the Black Panthers where he rose to become a field marshal, a Third World Liberation Front leader and a professor.

“Aoki” Q&A with “The Artist” Emory Douglas (Minister of Culture BPP) and co-directors Ben Wang and Mike Cheng

Followed by Reception with music sponsored by Sugar Hill Ale

Fred Hampton

Dir. Videofreex & Video Data Bank, 1969, 30 mins.

At the luxurious Chicago home of Lucy Montgomery, the radical video collective Videofreex conducted this interview of Fred Hampton a month before his brutal murder by Chicago police. Though he was only twenty-one years old at the time Fred Hampton, head of the Illinois chapter of the BPP, speaks articulately and with passion about the Breakfast Club and free health clinic that the BPP was setting up in Chicago. He also talks about the Chicago conspiracy trial, the Weathermen and the dangers that face him.

8:15pm

Black Revolutionary-George Jackson

91 mins.

This documentary recounts the extraordinary life of George Jackson, who like the Angola 3, became an influential member of the BPP while in prison.  In 1970 he was accused of killing a prison guard and placed in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day where he managed to read hundreds of books and write two books “Blood in my Eye” and “Soledad Brother” that were both international best sellers. He was assassinated in 1971 for allegedly trying to escape. The film also covers his funeral proceedings.

Q&A with May Jackson & Thomas “Blood” McCeary (BPP New York State Chapter)

A Black Panther Party Film Festival!

We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace.

December 8th-13th

Black August

Theme: The Cultural Revolution

Dir. Dream Hampton, 2010, 77 min.

Part documentary-part concert film Black August brings into focus the work done by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in raising awareness about political prisoners. The movie covers the MXGM sponsored Annual “Black August” concerts that have taken place all over the world and have included artists such as Mos Def, dead prez, Erykah Badu, Common, Talib Kweli and David Banner. The film also features rare interviews with Assata Shakur, Kathleen Cleaver, and Mutulu Shakur.

Q&A with Dir. dream hampton and MXGM’s Lumumba and Monifa Bandele

Justice on Trial: The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal

Dir. Kouross Esmaeli, 2009, 65 min.

Directed by the Iranian born Kouross Esmaeli, “Justice on Trial” is an important re-examination of the case of America’s most well-known death row inmate Mumia Abu- Jamal. This film with the new evidence it uncovers and perspectives it reveals is incredibly relevant, especially at the present moment with the release of the right- wing anti-Mumia film “The Barrel of a Gun” as well as the upcoming release of the appeals court decision regarding his case.

Q&A with Justice on Trial producer Johanna Fernandez and Pam Africa

5:00pm

In the Land of the Free

Dir. Vadim Jean, 2010, 84 min.

This 2010 documentary (narrated by Samuel L. Jackson) is about the Angola 3, three prisoners who while serving their time in Angola State Prison (the United States’ most notorious penal colony) joined the BPP and participated in non- violent resistance campaigns protesting the terrible conditions, prisoner abuse and sexual slavery rampant inside the prison. As a result, they were falsely accused of murder while in prison and have all been, with the exception of Robert King who was released in 2001, serving the last 38 years in solitary confinement.

Q&A with: King Wilkerson (Freed Angola 3) & dir. Vadim Jean

Harlem Homegrown and LJ Entertainment Present: “The Best of Master Rob”

Dir. Lamont Jackson & Elvis Blount (unreleased, 60 min).

“Master” Rob Hockett was a notorious legend at Rucker Park from the late 80s all the way through the mid 90s. He has been described as a basketball DJ, because of his signature move where he would put the spin on various defenders by placing his left hand above their head and then dribbling the ball around their back with the other hand, inevitably tripping them up. Master Rob was also dangerous with his mid-range shots and reverse layups making it no wonder that half of Harlem would flock to see him during his prime years on the playground. “The Best of Master Rob,” an action packed highlight dvd, is premiering at the Maysles Cinema, and shows you what this playground legend is made of.

Q&A with dir. Lamont Jackson and “Master” Rob Hockett and Reception sponsored by Sugar Hill Ale!

Street Corner Resources Presents: Youth Working to Eliminate Violence in Harlem

A youth led, thought provoking & solution driven screening of short documentaries and a discussion to follow. Documentaries include those on Beloved, former gang member turned youth mentor and poet and “the Fresh Prince of Harlem” rapper/actor T-Breezy (“Swagga on Deck”).  T-Breezy also appeared in the films “Precious” and “Notorious.” Both Beloved and T-Breezy will be available for the discussion following the screening.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TBREEZYWORLD

The Universal Zulu Nation Presents: Zulu Cinema

(A Portion of the Proceeds from this event will go to the Afrika Bambaataa Multi-Cultural Community Center building fund)

Turn Off Channel Zero

Opio Sokoni, 2007, 114 mins.

The aim of Turn Off Channel Zero is to kick the hell out of the creators of negative images. Professor Griff of the legendary Hip Hop group Public Enemy kicks it with activists, artists, filmmakers and everyday people about the state of Hip Hop. There are solutions, actions and some real things that get said. It's really like that when people turn off Channel Zero.

Followed by panel discussion featuring Dr. Shaka Zulu of Universal Zulu Nation. More speakers tba.

8:00pm

Beat This!: A Hip Hop History

Dick Fontaine, 1984, 60 min.

This tremendous, highly stylized BBC production features dynamic appearances by a veritable who’s who of original school luminaries: Kool Herc (in what are perhaps his most revealing and personal public interviews), Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, the Cold Crush Brothers, Lisa Lee, Sha-Rock, graffiti writer Brim of Tats Cru, and Officer Kevin Hickey of the NYPD’s infamous Vandal Squad. Rhymed narration provided by NYC broadcasting legend Gary Byrd.

Followed by a panel discussion featuring Queen Kenya, Cholly Rock, Seelo representing F.O.T.B.S

Featuring the Artwork of Lava 1 and 2 and an After Party!

Rest in Power Uncle Ces!

Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

Curated by Keeling Beckford of Keeling’s Reggae Music and Videos

Voices of Haitians on the Future of Haiti

Black is Back Coalition, Harlem Tenants Council,

Black Agenda Report a Harlem Anti-War Coalition Present:

Haiti: The Politics of Rebuilding

Faultlines, 2010, 23 min.

This short documentary looks at the politics of rebuilding Haiti just one month after the devastating earthquake of January 12th, 2010. With billions of dollars devoted to U.S. and UN-led aid efforts flooding the country, the decades-long debate about Haitian development has intensified in the wake of this most recent disaster. The film asks how aid money should be spent in reconstruction, and how reconstruction may or may not contribute to the goals of long-term growth and economic independence in Haiti.

Haiti: Six Months On

Faultlines, 2010, 23 min.

Made six months after the earthquake, the landscape of Port-Au-Prince remained (and still remains) virtually unchanged. Dominated by rubble and a rainbow patchwork of tents occupied by an estimated one and a half million displaced Haitians, most major reconstruction efforts are on hold. Inevitably, the government will award most contracts to foreign companies, creating a booming business out of disaster relief and reconstruction. Through conversations with people living in camps and informal settlements throughout Port Au Prince and the countryside, this film reveals the increased skepticism and hostility of Haitians when it comes to the efforts of politicians and NGOs post-disaster.

The Aid Scam in Haiti

Tony Savino and Kim Ives, 2010, 9 min.

A sobering look at Haiti earthquake “aid” and where its really going.

Panel discussion with Roger Leduc (KAKOLA: Haitian Coalition to Support the Struggle in Haiti), Marquez Osson (WBAI Radio, "Haiti: The Struggle Continues"), Ray LaForest and Colette Pean (December 12th Movement), Nellie Bailey (Harlem Tenants Council)  and others TBA.

Reception to Follow!

Shams Da Baron’s Hip Hop Cipher 2

COME TOGETHER IN UNITY AND SHARE YOUR TALENT WITH THE WORLD!

Hosted by: Dr. Shaka Zulu of the Universal Zulu Nation and host of True School radio @WHCR 90.3 fm each and every Tuesday in NYC

Music by: DJ Aka Tricky D, DJ Scratchmasta Jazzy G, The Most Dangerous Mell Starr & other great DJ’s, Pioneers & Legends who will come & join The Cipher...

Beats will be supplied by Shams DaBaron.

This is an event where the old school and new school will come together and experience the true school. We invite all mc's to come and join The Cipher. To join or for further information call: (347)849-0310

Food & beverages available. No dress code.

7:00pm DJ Warm Up

8:00pm Hip Hop Cipher 1 Film Screening

9:00pm All Star DJ Showcase

10:00pm Hip Hop Cipher Hosted by Dr. Shaka Zulu from the Universal Zulu Nation

12:00-1:00 Meet & Greet After-Party

The Thaw: Proto-verite in the Soviet Union

Presented with Red Channels and the Brecht Forum

Psychiatry in Russia

Dir. Albert Maysles, 1955, 14 min.

This rarely- screened film was the first professional film Albert Maysles made. While still teaching Psychiatry at Boston University Albert Maysles received a small amount of money to make this film in the Soviet Union. Entering the country for the first time, speaking almost no Russian, with very little money and no contacts in the Soviet Union Albert was still able to pull- off this excellent film. At his hotel he ran into the famous African- American journalist William Worthy Jr. who invited him to attend a cocktail at the Romanian Embassy. Albert managed to get into the cocktail party where he met some of the most important people in the Soviet Union including Mikhail Pervukhin, a high ranking official in the Soviet Politburo, who introduced him to the Soviet head of Psychiatry thus making this film possible. The movie in it's profiling of various asylums and mental institutions in the Soviet Union reveals as much about the ordinary man in Russia as it does about the so-called insane.

Letter from Siberia

Dir. Chris Marker, 1957, 57 min.

Letter from Siberia was Chris Marker's first feature and an unforgettable cinematic essay/travelogue on Siberia, communism, the Soviet Union, the role of film, the traveler as well as the immediacies of both time and place. The film foreshadowed Chris Marker's reflexive and experiemental approach to the documentary format which would both become hallmarks of his unique approach to cinema verite. This film is rich in both imagery and voice-over material where Chris Marker speaks through a voice that is not his own. "A work such as Letter From Siberia demonstrates that place can only ever be event. It is this identification and elucidation of the singularities of place, moment, memory, in a screen-based medium, that will be Marker's lasting legacy." - Adrian Miles, Senses of Cinema  

After the Screening: Panel Discussion with director Albert Maysles and special guest

Moderated by Matt Peterson

Presented in partnership with Red Channels and the Brecht Forum