Beautifully green and blue from North to South, New Zealand is the land where Rugby heroes are made. Yet while the New Zealand All Blacks currently hold the World Cup, it is little known that the United States won the Olympic Rugby Gold Medal when it was last contested in 1924.
Mayme Clayton Library and Museum in association with the BADWest St. Clair Bourne 4th Monday Documentary Series Presents: "Red, White, Black & Blue"
Monday, February 29, 2016 @7pm
St. Clair Bourne 4th Monday Free Screening
Mayme Clayton Library and Museum
4130 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
Mayme Clayton Library and Museum in association with the BADWest St. Clair Bourne 4th Monday Documentary Series Presents:
RED, WHITE, BLACK & BLUE
South LA Rugby Around the World
Directed by James Brown
The students are rallied together by former international Rugby player, Stuart Krohn, a dedicated mentor who gives back-bone to the ICEF Schools' Rugby Program. By bringing the teams to New Zealand to play a mix of local communities - both Pakeha and Maori - he provides the opportunity to learn not just more about the sport, but also about other cultures with which African Americans might share some commonalities. This is perhaps best expressed throughout the film by the infusion of song and dance into the students' meeting and greeting of local teams.
We meet Cameron, a six-foot-four super star, already coveted by American Football scouts at only 16 years old. Unexpectedly built for this game and for Rugby, he faces a choice he's perhaps too young to make - does he disregard potential for fame and fortune for the sake of supportive friends and teamwork?
Jennese gives the film its center of gravity. The drama of her reluctant push toward and pulling away from her role as the Girls' Team Captain develops over the course of the film, and with each challenge, Jennese rises up, faces the task of becoming her own woman. Unstoppable force and enduring energy comes from Asa - the Boys' Team Captain - instantly recognizable as a leader and comfortably so, he provides a powerful touchstone for younger students, and is an honorable role model for someone so young.
On the field, troubled histories and worries of home melt away - we see boys rise as men; girls lead as women. Marjau, a green-haired fire-starter, takes the tensions of home responsibilities and insecurities to the field - repeatedly, she seeks to work them through, and leave them there. De Janae, a self-confessed 'weaker player' often kept in reserve, uses Rugby to build a better community and a brighter future for her family.
Regardless of win or lose - at the end of the game, the realities of life at home and the burden of choices made by others, means that relief is only temporary. In addition to the physical sporting tests the students face, they await responses from college applications, the outcomes of which will shape futures, friendships and families. Ebony is an academic high-achiever awaiting responses from Ivy League Colleges, Dartmouth and Brown. Between games she checks application status.
But the heart of the film beats in the story of a boy who bears his father's name. A father whom The Los Angeles Times chronicles as a fallen Football star, a man who fired gun shots at home, robbed a pizza joint for less than $50 and spent many years in prison. Perhaps his son will fare better - for it's not what's in a name, but he who bears it that might define it - as our young hero states, he will make "responsible, successful, articulate and positive the words associated with my name." His name is Leodes Van Buren Jr.
James Brown, Director/EditorBased in Auckland, NZ. James has always been a creative person, excelling in art from an early age. He received a BFA at Elam School of Fine Arts majoring in Intermedia and began directing and editing short films. Received a number of scholarships and developed a passion for storytelling through narrative film, culminating in a short feature shot on 16mm. Since graduating in 2003, has developed as an offline editor working across all editing platforms.
James has edited for top New Zealand filmmakers: Roger Donaldson, Pietra Brettkelly, Tom & Sumner Burstyn, Julia Parnell and Briar March and won the 2013 Best Documentary Editing award with Annie Goldson at the New Zealand Film Awards.
Have shot and edited for producers of TV and online content for corporate and community outreach programs: Ogilvy, FCB, Flying Fish, FarmerClark, The Human Rights Commission, The Learning Connexion and Myspace.
He has also directed numerous documentaries, music videos and internet spots which has involved travelling to Africa, UK, Europe, Japan and the US. My feature documentary directorial debut "Red, White, Black & Blue" won awards at numerous festivals around the world, including Best Documentary at the Idyllwild Cinema Fest and Best Documentary Editing at the Amsterdam Film Festival.
Q&A with Coach and Producer Stuart Krohn after the screening.
This event is FREE.
Monday, February 29, 2016 @ 7pm
Mayme Clayton Library and Museum
4130 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
Free Parking.
Join BADWest for $45, and reap all the benefits of being a member, including free monthly meetings, screenings and other special events.
The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West is a project of Fulcrum Arts' Emerge fiscal sponsorship program. www.fulcrumarts.org
The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West (BAD West) is a professional organization providing people of African descent working in documentary film, video or other media the opportunity to network professionally, share resources, exchange ideas and meet socially in order to enhance the development, production, promotion and exhibition of documentaries. The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West also advocates the recognition and professional advancement of Black documentary filmmakers.
