Patterns of Passion is the story of a young woman trying to come to grips with her past in order to move forward with her life. Passion, (Olinda Fonseca), struggles to control her volatile disposition and as a result is forced into therapy by her boss as a disciplinary action. During her therapy session she explores the patterns of dysfunction that have plagued her from an early age. Her session reveals the connection between her unconquered demons and her co-dependant mother Vera, (Carolita Blythe), her mentally ill father Charlie, (Dion Vines), and her drug addict boyfriend Butter, (Alex Rapport). Passion takes us on an honest self-analyzing journey into her past. She plunges to unimaginable depths of self-loathing in search of happiness. When Passion reaches her limit she realizes that it is up to her to do what ever it takes to break this brutal cycle.

DIRECTOR: Patrick Coleman
WRITER: Patrick Coleman
CAST: Olinda Fonseca, Alex Rapport, Carolita Blythe, Dion Vines
FORM: Narrative Fiction, Feature
GENRE: Drama
FORMAT: BETA SP
NICHES: African American, Black, Women, Student

It's a matter of mis-education and lack of understanding in both the black and white communities that hurts the current slave reparations movement. That's the message of this new documentary, which provides an historical background on the current controversial movement and answers the most often voiced arguments against the payment of reparations to African Americans through interviews with some of the movement’s most prominent proponents, including Prof. Manning Marable, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Rev. Herbert Daughtry, Richard E. Barber, and others.

USA 2004 | Run time: 28 min. | Director: John Eisler

DIRECTOR: John Eisler
WRITER: John Carstarphen
CAST: Prof. Manning Marable, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Rev. Herbert Daughtry, Richard E. Barber
PRODUCER: Arlene Corsano
FORMAT: BETA SP
FORM: investigative documentary
NICHES: African American, Black, Social Justice

Malcolm Ojowcu (Issach de Bankolé) is a New Jersey doctor with a failing practice. His wife, Jennifer, tries to be supportive, but has made the decision to go back to work while their son is in school. Then Malcolm's adoptive father and sponsor into the country, Dr. Atong Stevens (Peter Frances James) offers Malcolm a job at his clinic in Brooklyn. The pay is good, the hours are short and it's a pretty easy gig. Basically, he makes house calls to dementia patients and convinces them to come back to the clinic where they can get their medication. It's during one of these house calls that Malcolm witnesses a purse-snatching by a couple of kids and tries to stop it. Twist (Samuel Paul), one of the thieves shoots and kills Dr. Stevens. This event triggers flashback to Malcolm's life as a child soldier during the war. Dr. Stevens was basically his savior, taking young Malcolm back to America with him and giving him a better life. Consumed with finding the young killer, Malcom is confronted with the memories of his past, and his life quickly disintegrates as he goes deeper into a world he thought he had escaped forever.

Isaach de Bankolé (Ghost Dog, The Way of the Samourai; Otomo; Chocolat) is unforgettable as a man who can not let go, both of a past he wants to forget and of a debt to a man he can no longer repay. With striking black and white scenes in Africa and colorful streets scene in a community in turmoil, Brewster portrays the story of a man driven to extremes by two different worlds.

This psychological thriller by gifted director Joe Brewster (The Keeper) is a compelling tale set in West Africa and Brooklyn that examines obsession, duty, and coming to grips with one’s own past.

USA 2004 | Run time: 28 min. | Director: John Eisler

DIRECTOR: Joe Brewster
WRITER: Joe Brewster
CAST: Issach de Bankolé - Malcolm Ojowcu; Sonja Sohn - Jennifer Ojowcu; Peter Frances James - Dr. Atong Stevens; Rony Clanton - Johnny Iton; Samuel Paul - Twist
PRODUCER: Michele Stephenson
EDITOR: Tom McArdle
cinematographer: Zoran Drakulic
FORM: Narrative Fiction, Feature
FORMAT: BETA SP
GENRE: Psychological Thriller
NICHES: African American, Black, Child Soldier/War trauma

 

“Sisters in Cinema is a spectacular road trip and history lesson into the origins of what appears to be the rather slender presence of black women filmmakers in Hollywood and beyond. Producer-writer-director Yvonne Welbon seeks not to razzle-dazzle us with glitz and imagery but instead uses images and narrative in a comprehensive way to investigate fully the history of black female authorship behind the camera (so to speak) and to present it with earnestness and, most importantly, great intelligence.  Welbon shows her own gift as a filmmaker as well as a historian. "Sisters" is a first-rate look-see at the culture and community of black women filmmakers as they have persisted throughout the 20th century and now into a new one.” – Hollywood Reporter

Sisters in Cinema received its World Premiere broadcast during Black History Month 2004 on Black Starz!.  Recipient of the “Best Film Directed by a Woman of Color” public award, African Diaspora Film Festival 2003. 

Filmmaker Yvonne Welbon examines the phenomenon of Black female directors in American cinema revealing a rich, if sporadic, history. Fascinating, poignant interviews with new and established filmmakers such as: Neema Barnette, Julie Dash, Maya Angelou, Kasi Lemmons and Euzhan Palcy. 

USA 1999 | Run time: 89 min. | Director: John Carstarphen

A provocative digital feature that dares to probe the question: What the f*ck is going on in American filmmaking? FLMKR is a quirky, comic thriller, which traces the odyssey of independent filmmaker Veronica Davidson, as professional setbacks are amplified by personal betrayals; then she realizes something more sinister has taken over the film industry in America. FLMKR explores the agonies of film making, from personal compromises, to the concessions required of an entertainment-addicted society, all seen through the eyes of one paranoid filmmaker, living and working in the heart of the “conspiracy capitol of the world”, Dallas, Texas.

DIRECTOR: John Carstarphen
WRITER: John Carstarphen
CAST:
PRODUCER: Michele Stephenson
EDITOR: Tom McArdle
cinematographer: Zoran Drakulic
FORM: Narrative Fiction, Feature
FORMAT: BETA SP
GENRE: satirical comedy           
NICHES: African American, Black, Independent filmmaker

Mimi leaves her home country, Ethiopia, in hopes of finding a better life in America, where she struggles to earn a living as a child care taker for a family member. The perfect American dream she had once envisioned turns into a nightmare as she is faced with imminent deportation from the U.S.  Betrayed by the people she once loved and trusted, Mimi discovers the courage in herself to conquer the troubles that lie in her path.

Obdulio is an 11-year-old Afro-Uruguayan street boy who lives with his grandmother and sells newspapers for a living while he cannot read or write. Obdulio is not interested in going to school until he finds out that the night watchman of the newspaper's office is a charismatic magical "Maestro" who not only introduces him to the world of literacy but also teaches him the real meaning of life through the lyrics of the "Murgas" (Carnival Pierrots) during the mythical nights of the irreverent and provocative Uruguayan carnival.

The stunning dexterity and mastery of famous Afro-Peruvian percussionist Julio "Chocolate" Algendones are on display in this affectionate documentary about the great master. Afro-Peruvian music is rooted in multiples rhythms coming from Africa. Mixing the traditional and the contemporary, from cajón to Jazz, Chocolate composed and played many music styles, taught all over the world and contributed to the creative development of numerous artists including the dance group Peru Negro.