Sundance Got Melanin!

By Dani Jackson | Contributing Writer

I attended Sundance for the first time in 2017 but I didn’t feel compelled to venture beyond the amazing panels curated at The Black House that included big names like John Singleton, Common, John Legend, Malinda Williams and Yvonne Orji. This year, I was completely torn as it felt like Sundance stepped its melanin game up and The Black House Foundation also continued to bring the heat.

With so many films, panels and parties jam-packed into the opening weekend it is impossible to do it all. So I decided to indulge in as many Black and Brown films and experiences as I could during my Friday through Sunday stay. Here’s how I Sundance this year.

David Makes Man
Clips & Conversation. Brickson Diamond, Terrell Alvin McCraney, Dee Harris-Lawrence, Akili McDowell, Alana Arenas, Phylicia Rashad, Michael B Jordan. Courtesy The Black House Foundation.

David Makes Man Clips & Conversation

I got in kind of late on Friday, so my number one priority was to try to see the panel for OWN’s upcoming original drama David Makes Man that was to be moderated by Oprah. Unfortunately, Oprah was under the weather and didn’t attend but The Black House Foundation co-founder Brickson Diamond stepped up.

Watch the official trailer: www.youtu.be/0ppja8cCTKY

I woke up Saturday ready to get the most out of the day. I spent the day bouncing back and forth between the Filmmakers Lodge, which housed the Cinema Cafe Times Talks and The Black House.

Favorite quote of the discussion:

Bozoma: Being Badass. Bozoma Saint John, Brickson Diamond. Courtesy The Black House Foundation.

Referring to the film Moonlight’s Oscar win,

”That feeling of what it meant to see all of those black artists on the stage taking home best picture…Old Hollywood was trying to hold on…it represented a shift.” KiKi Layne

Bozoma: Being Badass. Bozoma Saint John, Boris Kodjoe, Kathryn Tyus Adair, Leah Thomas, Ernestine Morrison, Abiola Oke, Aaliyah Williams Courtesy The Black House Foundation.

Favorite quote of the discussion:

“One of the things that I most love about the current president of Ghana Is his statement that says until Africa is respected no person of African descent will be respected. We wonder about police brutality, we wonder about the disrespect we face in the world. Well, why is that? It’s because Africa is not respected so why would we be. So it’s our responsibility to make sure that we are changing the narrative and ensuring that we get the respect we deserve because our continent gets the respect it deserves.”

“Clemency” A Conversation with the Filmmakers & Cast, Courtesy The Black House Foundation Bottom: (Left to Right): Richard Gunn, Bronwyn Cornelius, Julian Cautherley Top: (Left to Right): Michele Gipson(SAG-AFTRA), Danielle Brooks, Michael O’Neill, Chinoye Chukwu, Alfre Woodard, Wendell Pierce, Richard Shiff

While the panel was careful not to spoil the plot of the film before the Sunday premiere, director Chinowye Chukwu explained that it took about 4 years from the first draft to get into production for this social justice film that explores the death penalty.

Favorite quote of the panel: At its basis, we are still story-tellers and the reason that we started telling stories, the Grios, was for the health of the tribe. That’s why we do it…We have to be grateful that we have been called to this.”

THE SHORTS

As Told To G/D Thyself by Bradford Young, Terence Nance, Jenn Nkiru, Marc Thomas and Kamasi Washington, an official selection of the Shorts Programs at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Kamasi Washington appears in As Told To G/D Thyself by Bradford Young, Terence Nance, Jenn Nkiru, Marc Thomas and Kamasi Washington, an official selection of the Shorts Programs at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Lonnie Holley appears in I Snuck Off the Slave Ship by Lonnie Holley and Cyrus Moussavi, an official selection of the Shorts Programs at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute| Photo by Charles Autumn.

A still from America by Garrett Bradley, an official selection of the Shorts Programs at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Akasha Rabut.

“I Be Knowin” a Candid Convo with Amanda Seales, Courtesy The Black House Foundation

After leading the audience in the Black National Anthem, Amanda Seales kicks off the party back yard BBQ style with the electric slide to Frankie Beverly & Maze, Before I Let Go.

Favorite quote of the panel: “If you’re coming from an authentic place, nine times out of ten authentic people will like that…My truth is that I’m a Black woman so that is always at the forefront. – Amanda Seales”

After leading the audience in the Black National Anthem, Amanda Seales kicks off the party back yard BBQ style with the electric slide to Frankie Beverly & Maze, Before I Let Go.

Favorite quote of the panel:

“If you’re coming from an authentic place, nine times out of ten authentic people will like that…My truth is that I’m a Black woman so that is always at the forefront. – Amanda Seales

After leading the audience in the Black National Anthem, Amanda Seales kicks off the party back yard BBQ style with the electric slide to Frankie Beverly & Maze, Before I Let Go.