(ThyBlackMan.com) Speller Street Films brought you the award-winning documentary “Wilmington on Fire” about the horrifying history of the 1898 Wilmington Massacre and the hatred that fueled it. Now they bring you “As an Act of Protest“, a narrative film about the psychological effects of racism and the consequences of both accepting and resisting it.
They have begun to dust off Dennis Leroy Kangalee’s 2002 cult classic, “As an Act of Protest“, a film that is perhaps even more relevant today than when it was first made. In collaboration with
Raleigh Film Underground, Speller Street Films will have a revival screening of the controversial film on July 15th, 7pm at Kings in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.
Deemed the ‘Best black film no one will see’ in 2002 by critic Kam Williams, “As an Act of Protest” is an internal “Battle of Algiers“. It is a cinematic poem about racism and its psychological effects. It is an avant-garde movie that is more like a classical theater piece rather than a foray into conventional narrative cinema, and its style flows from documentary and melodrama to satire and horror. The film follows Cairo Medina, a young African American actor, goes through a station-of-the-cross journey to find the meaning of his life and eradicate the racism and police brutality that continue to plague the world.
Upon discovering the film, Speller Street Films made it its mission to re-introduce this forgotten independent film to a whole new generation and audience and revive interest in alternative Black cinema.
“I am honored to help restore and release Dennis Leroy Kangalee’s unseen gem to a new audience“, said Christopher Everett, President of Speller Street Films. “Dennis has always carried the torch of creating protest art and creating art for social change and with the current racial and political climate, now is the perfect time to re-introduce this powerful film to the world once again. We are very excited about the first screening in Raleigh in collaboration with Raleigh Film Underground.”
By teaming up with Raleigh Film Underground, this screening will include an art exhibit, including works inspired by the movie “As an Act of Protest“, and an appearance by the director himself. All proceeds will go towards the remastering of the film so that special DVDs can finally be released as the film makes its way to new art-houses, theaters, and college campuses.
This special event will take place July 15, 2017 at Kings, 14 W. Martin Street in Raleigh, North Carolina. Doors will open at 7pm, the film will start at 8:15pm. Tickets are $10 (cash) at the door and in advance at http://www.actofprotest.eventbrite.com.
For more information or to schedule an interview with the director of the film, contact Speller Street Films at 910.280.3914 or spellerstreetfilms@gmail.com.