Screening cinema classics for Black History Month

INDEPENDENT PICTURE HOUSE

The inaugural Black Film Series at The Independent Picture House is screening classic Black-oriented movies throughout February.

Looking for something fun to do during Black History Month?

Stop by the inaugural Black Film Series at The Independent Picture House to watch classics like “Love and Basketball,” “Eve’s Bayou,” “Ganja & Hess,” and a few others. The movie theater is located at 4237 Raleigh Street.

“We are excited to bring this series to our community, and we hope that it will provide an opportunity for not only meaningful community conversations but also for a deeper understanding of the importance of Black film to the American cultural landscape,” said Jay Morong, creative director at The Independent Picture House and senior lecturer of theatre and film at UNC Charlotte.

The ultimate mission of the movie theater is to “Educate, Enable, & Engage” artists and communities from all cultures.

The series will be presented with three screening partners who helped shape film programming: the Classic Black Film Series, CineOdyssey Film Festival and the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists.

Eight movies will be shown, with at least one talkback event in which a community leader, educator, or media professional will lead a discussion with the audience about the films shown. The films shown will range from drama, romance, horror, satire, and comedy ---featuring all Black casts and directors that highlight the rich thematic filmic diversity in Black cinematic storytelling.

Tickets and times for all the movies shown during the Black Film Series are available at independentpicturehouse.org. The schedule of screenings and talkback moderators include:

Week 1

“Daughters of the Dust” (1991) Feb. 3, 5 and 7

“Killer of Sheep” (1978) – Feb. 4, 6, 8

Felix Curtis, Curator and Host of the Classic Black Cinema Series, will lead a postscreening  discussion on Feb. 4.

Week 2

“Love & Basketball” (2000) Feb. 10, 12, 14  

Angel Truesdale, social sciences and business librarian, J. Murrey Atkins Library, University of  North Carolina Charlotte will lead a post screening discussion on  Feb. 14.  
“Talk To Me” (2007) – Feb. 11, 13, 15

Award-winning columnist and speaker Mary C. Curtis will moderate a post screening panel of  local Black radio personalities on the impact and state of Black Radio on Feb. 11  following the screening. The panel discussion is being presented in partnership with  the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists.  

Week 3

“The Watermelon Man” (1996) Feb. 18, 20, 22

“Destination Planet Negro” (2013)- Feb. 17, 19, 21  

Tre McGriff, founder of the CineOdyssey Film Festival, will lead a post screening discussion at a time to be determined. All screenings of “Destination Planet Negro” are free.

Week 4

“Ganja & Hess” (1973) – Feb. 25, 27, March 1  

“Eve’s Bayou” (1997) – Feb. 24, 26, 28

Angel Truesdale of UNC Charlotte’s J. Murrey Atkins Library will lead the post screening discussion on Feb. 26.

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