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Harlem Kick Off 2024 – Miller Theatre
October 10 @ 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Reel Sisters & While We Are Still Here Celebrates The Power of Love & Community
Evening Highlights Include Harlem Fragments, The Dancing Teacher, Superman Doesn’t Steal & It Was All A Dream!
On Thurs., Oct. 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm, While We Are Still Here & Reel Sisters will officially kick off our A State of Grace season in Harlem with a fine selection of shorts culminating in the feature presentation of dream hampton’s It Was All A Dream, an archival documentary featuring legendary rap artists The Notorious BIG, Snoop, Mobb Dee and Method Man from Wu-Tang. Tickets are only $5 for our community Harlem kick off!
Reel Sisters Showcase 2024 – Section A
The Dancing Teacher
Producer: Rui Dong-Scott Director/Writer: YuHan Tsai
narrative, 12 min.
Ballet student Nana discovers that her teacher, Julia, an Asian dancer is facing financial struggles that jeopardize her teaching. Nana’s admiration of Julia is tested when she witnesses Julia stealing from other students during the break. Nana decides to hold on to her secret, using it to manipulate Julia into giving her solo lessons.
Kurta Pants
Director/Writer: Chhaya Shirish Nene Producers: Chhaya Nene, Linda Palmer, Deon van Rooyen and Andrew Onochie.
comedy, 5 min.
A girl is bringing her boyfriend home for dinner. But will her family accept him for all of who he is? In this fast paced comedy, two people from two different backgrounds test their relationship like it’s never been tested before.
Superman Doesn’t Steal
Director/Writer: Tamika Lamison Producers: Chris Beal, Dominique DeLeon, Carol Shine, Ben Ephraim
narrative, 19 min.
Based on true events, Superman Doesn’t Steal is a coming of age story, set during the 1970’s Atlanta child murders- as seen through the eyes of 9 year old Harriet & her brother, who are fascinated with superheroes. However, when they experience a troubling series of events- the impact on their family leaves emotional scars and causes them both to grow up fast as they redefine their definitions of heroes, villains and yes- even Superman.
Harlem Fragments
Director: Cameron Tyler Carr Producers: Flor Tejada, Collin Meath, Ben Thompson, Salma Qarnain
Writers: Wes Andre Goodrich, Danielle Therese Dougé
narrative, 17 min.
An Afro-futurist scrapbook storytelling of a Harlem Black family’s beautiful destruction during the 2008 recession. A natural disaster so mesmerizing you can’t look away from the tragedy. Based on true events.
Oren’s Way
Director: Keika Lee Producer: Eun Bi Chang
Writer: Anna Thorup
animation, 17 min.
A clever princess must capture a magical Golden Fox in order to save her kingdom from eternal sadness but on her journey, she conquers obstacles – the last of which reveals a hidden truth about herself.
Two of Diamonds
Director: Katrina Montgomery Producer: Clairesa Clay
Writers: Katrina Montgomery, Sonya Davis
“Two of Diamonds” revolves around El, a woman coping with the recent loss of her mother.
About the Presenters
While We Are Still Here is a 501(c)(3) organization that includes long-term residents of 409 and 555 Edgecombe Avenue—the average number of years of residence is thirty. Non-resident members are interested in helping to preserve the grand history of these important sites.
When we began, in 2015, our work was, chiefly, focused on 409 and 555 Edgecombe Avenue, but, over time, due to the input of our neighbors, we broadened the scope to include Harlem, in general. And in including more of Harlem, we seek to expand the panorama of its historical narrative, because the lens continues to be tightly focused on the Renaissance of the 1920s; the ravages of 1960s/70s-era drug addiction and dealing (and later, the crack epidemic); the crime and poverty; and now gentrification—but Harlem, in reality, is so much more than all of these things.
Visit: www.whilewearestillhere.org
African Voices Communications, Inc. is a nonprofit arts organization devoted to presenting art, literature, and films by artists of color. African Voices publishes a literary magazine and presents literary readings, art exhibitions, and artistic workshops throughout NYC. Visit: www.africanvoices.com.
The organization sponsors Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series, the first Oscar-qualifying film festival in the nation devoted to women of color. Visit: www.reelsisters.org.