This N' That

There is a reader on my blog, Qadree, who is very much a black film lover...he goes to the festivals, dutifully watches all the films he comes across, and is very passionate about what he sees. He always leaves amazing comments here as well, that are most times very much food for thought. Check out his blog Culture Critical.

I, like he, am a little discouraged about Black film as of late (as you can see from yesterday's posts), tho I think I'm a little more hopeful about it than he is, haha. He suggested going off into uncharted territory, which I've been planning to do for a while, so no time like the present. He sent me a link to "The Quiet One" a Black film from 1948.

The storyline of the movie is this: "A documentary account of the rehabilitation at the Wiltwyck School of an emotionally disturbed Black boy who is unwanted, misunderstood, and inwardly tortured. "

Qadree says the movie is now public domain, and you can see/download it for free here:

http://www.archive.org/details/the_quiet_one

Update: Qadree left this comment:

"Thanks for the props IW, but one interesting fact about the film The Quiet One is that it's not a documentary. I've seen several reviews and summaries of the film that call it a documentary, and I guess it's a testament to how good the film is, but it was a totally scripted, fictional story. The school they used was real, but the film was just a really good example of cinema verite.

I could be wrong. but I believe this was the first film to break away from the "pickaninny" image and portray a black child as a complex human being. "



Also off the beaten path, I am going to start spotlighting some other actors/filmmakers that don't get as much coverage as they should to mix things up a bit, After all, that is one of the reasons I began this blog.

First up will be an interview with Carl Gilliard, who was in a film I talked about with Afronerd called the "Mannsfield 12", and was also in the film I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, "Divine Intervention". He's also done a ton of television. More on that later, look for him on this blog early next week, and one or two other interviews a week for a while.

Last but not least, I've been nominated for a few 2008 Bloggers Choice Awards. I was nominated last year but didn't do or say anything. I'm really not into that kinda thing, awards, soliciting links, etc....I write this blog for the love of the content, and meeting others who love Black Cinema as much as I do.

BUT (haha) this year I think I'd like to go for one, if only out of respect for those who took the time to nominate, (yeah, ok). I would never be so crass as to go for Best Blog Ever (ummm really it's cause I don't think it's winnable), but I would definitely like to go for Best Blog About Stuff or Best Entertainment Blog or Best Blog Design.

Okay. I think you can vote for me by clicking on the icons on my right sidebar.

If these links don't work, I'll fix them a bit later; I am kinda low tech. Here is the link to the Home Page if you need to sign up: http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/

I hope you don't mind me "drybegging" (as my girlfriend used to say) for votes. Thank you so much if you can do it...have a great weekend!