Numa Perrier 'In the Morning'

I've been waiting for this news for over a year! Mutihyphenated Haitian-American artist Numa Perrier soon can be seen on the big screen in New York at the premiere of Nefertite Nguvu's 'In the Morning.' Also starring in the film is Emayatzy Corinealdi (Middle of Nowhere, Miles Ahead, Gun Hill, The Silent Treatment). 

I first heard of this film about two years ago and have been anticipating its release ever since. The film follows three couples navigating issues of love, desire, anger. The film is described as a mood piece and per the filmmaker's synopsis:

"Friends, Harper, Ravi, Fez, Bly and Amara, gather to bid farewell to one of their own moving abroad, and debate the compromise and loss of their youthful ideals about marriage, fidelity, life and love; 2 lovers, Malik and Cadence, meet to ceremoniously end a whirlwind romance that has collapsed under the weight of fears, obligations and regrets; A couple, Zuri and Leal, sift through the remains of their broken relationship as they try to make a life altering decision, journeying through the bitter heartbreak that comes with faded love, disintegrated trust, and dreams abandoned. For everyone, life will be indelibly altered in the morning."

Peep the trailer from Shadow and Act's Tambay Obenson --- HERE

The film screens at the Urban World Film Festival in New York on September 20th at 8pm. Check out Urban World's website for more details ----> HERE.

 

Montreal International Black Film Festival

The Montreal International Black Film Festival has announced its 2014 lineup. Of note is Martine Jean's "The Silent Treatment" which will make its Canadian premiere on September 27th at 1pm. 'The Silent Treatment' is a short film about a love triangle, shot in the style of 1920s silent films.

This year's festival will open with Boris Lojkine's "Hope" a film which was a part of Cannes' Semaine de la Critique. The film tells the heart wrenching tale of a Nigerian woman and a Cameroonian man who partner up while traversing the Sahara in an attempt to make it to Europe.

Also of note this year, Director Spike Lee will receive the festival's inaugural Pioneer award and his latest film 'Da Sweet Blood of Jesus" will screen at the festival, thus having its international premiere on September 24th.

The Montreal International Black Film Festival was founded in 2005 by Fabienne Colas through her non-profit the Fabienne Colas Foundation. We will bring you more details on the festival's schedule as they are released.

GARCELLE BEAUVAIS' latest children's book hits the shelves!

Actress GARCELLE BEAUVAIS' new children's book has hit the shelves. GARCELLE was on several talk shows yesterday and today discussing her book (part of the "I AM" series) and its importance in the lives of children. The series tackles issues such as divorce and biracial children and is a fun way for children to understand, cope, indeed thrive. In her interviews, Garcelle emphasized creating stable and safe homes for the children, while sparing them the gory details of divorce and heartbreak/

Previously, Garcelle released "I AM MIXED" which is now followed by "I AM LIVING IN TWO HOMES."

Check out Garcelle's interview on Access Hollywood ----- > HERE

Muder in Pacot

Earlier this year, I reported on RAOUL Peck's new feature film titled "Murder in Pacot." Shot on location in Port-au-Prince, the film tells the tale of an affluent Haitian family picking up the pieces and attempting to rebuild post earthquake. 

Shadow and Act shared the first pictures from Peck's "Murder in Pacot" which is said to be "loosely inspired by Italian director, Pier Paolo Pasolini's 1968 drama/mystery "Teorema," which starred Terence Stamp as a mysterious stranger who injects himself into the home of a wealthy Italian family, and seduces everyone in it, including maid ..." (Source: Shadow & Act). 

The film stars Lovely Kermonde and Alex Descas. "Murder in Pacot" will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month. I will be there and will let you know what I think! Check out more pictures on ----- >  SHADOW AND ACT.

"Lakay" is an official selection of the 'Harlem International Film Festival"

There are quite a few earthquake related documentaries being released this year. About two months ago, we profiled Claudine Oriol's latest project, a documentary titled "Resilient Hearts" . Most recently, filmmaker Numa Perrier presented her video art project titled "Florida Water" at Papillion Art in Los Angeles. The soul stirring project breathed life into a vintage image of Perrier's own mother with footage of quake ravaged Port-au-Prince interspersed throughout. 

Now comes "Lakay", a documentary about two brothers who return to Haiti in search of family after the quake. Directed by Tirf Alexis and starring Remoh Romeo, Hugh Grady and the director himself,the film focuses on a search for loved ones which ultimately leads to a rediscovery of Haiti's beauty. The film is slated for an October theatrical release but today the filmmakers announced that "Lakay" is an official selection of the prestigious "Harlem International Film Festival" being held in September. 

Watch the trailer for "Lakay" below!

Actor Joberde Metellus in new play.

Actor Joberde Metellus currently appears in Shakespeare's 'Corionalus' in the role of Aedile, a Volscian soldier and a Roman citizen. The play is described as  "post-apocalyptic 'Mad Max' dystopian telling of Shaekspeare's dynamic tale of the famous war hero's fall from grace. The people of Rome are starving, and threats of mutiny abound as a foreign army threatens to invade. The elder statesmen seek to appease the populace through political maneuvering while calling upon their greatest war hero to defend against the enemy army. Caius Marcius Coriolanus wins the battle on the field, but finds that winning the people's affection is a much more difficult task, and the world of politics can be deadlier than the world of war."

 Joberde has appeared in television shows 'Deadliest Warrior' and 'Lost Tapes.' Most recently, he played the role of Teofilo Stevenson in ESPN's '30 for 30' (Ali v. Stevenson). In his ow words, Joberde describes his passion for acting being ignited while watching "his father, a pastor, give speeches and sermons, and admiring his father's ability to move a crowd." The young actor is fluent in Creole as well, so tout sineas Ayisyen ki bezwen yon bo gason, byen kanpe, bon akte pou fim yo, cheke Joberde!  

 

Shakespeare's Coriolanus runs through August 16th at the Archway Studio Theater in Los Angeles. More info and ticket purchase ------->  HERE

*Photos courtesy of Archway Studio/Theatre Facebook.