In Celebration of Black History Month: Black Stars in Orbit

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Dir. William Miles, 1990, 90 min.

This film takes a look at Black astronauts and black Americans' contributions to America's space program. Includes personal interviews with archival footage, family photographs, and news headlines to profile such individuals as Edward Dwight, Jr., Guion Bluford, Jr., Ronald McNair, Frederick Gregory, Patricia Cowings-Johnson and Robert Shurney. 

Interview with author of the book of the same name (co-authored with Miles)

http://www.abc.net.au/speakingout/stories/s2637473.htm

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/speakingout/speaking_o_m1769538.mp3

 

 

In Celebration of Black History Month: I Remember Harlem

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Dir. William Miles, 1980, 60 min.

A 60 minute, condensed version of this seminal four-hour series tracing Harlem's 350-year history, evoking one of America's most vibrant and volatile communities. As a visual counterpart to the oral histories in the film, Miles unearthed old photographs and motion picture films and newsreel footage, much of it rare and never before seen on television. In early 1982, one year after it was broadcast, I Remember Harlem won an Alfred I. Dupont-Columbia University Citation and an American Film Festival Award.

In Conversation: Filmmakers William Miles, Researcher Dr. Juanita Howard & Eric Tait Jr. 

 

In Celebration of Black History Month: Liberators

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Dir. William Miles, 1992, 90 min.

The unknown story of African-American battalions, focusing on the heroic actions of the 761st, which spearheaded General Patton's Third Army and helped liberate concentration camps in the second World War. This powerful film vividly records the experiences of the soldiers, who were utterly unprepared for the atrocities they witnessed, as well as the astonishment of the camp inmates - some of whom had never seen a black person before. Liberators bear witness to the courage of Holocaust survivors and the heroism of men who were forced to fight on two fronts - battling racism at home as they fought for their country overseas.

In Conversation: Filmmakers Nina Rosenblum & William Miles with Sergeant William McBurney, 761st Tank Battalion

Panel Discussion: Nina Rosenblum, William Miles & William McBurney (Sergeant, 761st)

 

Men of Bronze

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Dir. William Miles, 1977, 60 min.

Men of Bronze is the definitive story of black American soldiers of the 369th U.S. combat regiment, the 15th Infantry from New York, know as the "Harlem Hellfighters," who served with the French army in World War I. The film uses photographs, interviews with veterans, and film from the French and American national Archives to recount the saga of the "Harlem Hellfighters," offering an inspiring tribute to these unsung heroes and an unforgettable look at World War I.

Trailer: http://vimeo.com/6936723

In Conversation: William Miles, Richard Adams, and General Nathaniel James, 369th Infantry