We’re so excited about this! Lenny Kravitz will play Christopher Walken’s son in Little Rootie Tootie – a film about a family of jazz musicians. They begin principal photography in January, which means the film’s release is at least a year away – but we’ll keep you posted on any updates.
Author: Fanshen
Film Starring Garcelle Beauvais
Garcelle Beauvais has been in a number of TV shows and films, and she’s also the co-author of children’s book I Am Mixed (here’s the link to our post about the book: https://mixedrootsstories.com/i-am-mixed-reserve-your-copy-today/
Beauvais is in a new film by Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi; here’s a blog post with pictures from the production: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/exclusive-1st-look-pics-poster-for-leila-djansis-and-then-there-was-you-starring-garcelle-beauvais?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
Anomaly: A Documentary Film About Multiracial Identity
We screened this wonderful film at the Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival, and the film went on the screen at several other festival and garner awards. If you are interested in, or planning to, make a documentary film about the Mixed experience, we highly recommend you watch this one so you’re aware of what has already been done.
Here’s the link to the website where you can purchase the film: http://www.twn.org/catalog/pages/cpage.aspx?rec=1363&card=price
How Early Do We Perceive the One Drop Rule?
Here’s a link to a fascinating thesis: Infant Perceptions of Mixed-Race Faces: An Exploration of the Hypodescent Rule in 8.5 Month-Old Infants (click the title to the left to be redirected to the full thesis).
Is our story solidified at such an early age? If so, what can we do to change it?
Diversity in Theater Forum – RSVP today!
If you are a theater actor, playwright, or crew member in Los Angeles, this event is integral to your career:
“Theater leaders in Southern California will convene for a second panel on racial diversity that will serve as a sequel of sorts to last year’s discussion hosted by East West Players in downtown Los Angeles.
The upcoming panel will be held Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Playhouse. While last year’s event was by invitation only, the upcoming discussion is free and open to the public.
Panelists expected to attend include Michael Ritchie, artistic director of Center Theatre Group; Marc Masterson, artistic director of South Coast Repertory; Sheldon Epps, artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse; Tim Dang, artistic director of East West Players; and Jessica Kubzansky, co-artistic director of the Theatre @ Boston Court.”
Click below for the full article:
TV Show’s Portrait of the Mixed Experience
from abc.com
If you are at all interested in media representations of the Mixed experience, The Neighbors is an important situation comedy to watch. It airs on ABC at 8:30 (7:30 Central) and is in its second season. The show centers around two families: The Weavers – Debbie, Marty and their three children – are a ‘white’ urban family that has moved to a gated community in search of a quieter life. Their neighbors are aliens from the fictional planet Zabvron – and they are a Mixed family. The father is European, and his name is Larry Bird (they adopted human names to try and fit in). The mother is also European, and she’s played by the wonderful actress Toks Olagundoye (whose father is Nigerian and mother is Norwegian). Her character’s name is Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Their children are Dick Butkus (‘white’ red-haired Ian Patrick) and Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo, who is Korean American). The ‘interracial’ pairings in the show include: Larry Bird and Jackie Joyner-Kersee (in a not-as-common ‘white’ man/’black’ woman match), and Reggie Jackson falls in love with the Weaver’s teenage daughter, Amber. In the second season Amber and Reggie continue to solidify their relationship, especially when it becomes threatened by a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Zabvronian who insists she is Reggie’s soul mate. Although the writing sometimes falls back on cliches and stereotypes, the actors are really strong and when the writing is good there is a lot to ponder here about ‘race’ and racism.
from abc.com
The first season is out on DVD and if you have time over the holidays, I’d recommend watching it from the beginning. If you want to check out one episode to see if you like it, Season 2, Episode 4 is a particularly poignant show on the Mixed experience. Jackie and Debbie have become best friends (another wonderfully portrayed ‘interracial’ relationship), but Jackie has been feeling neglected – so Debbie offers to do anything that Jackie wants to do. Jackie has an appointment to get her hair done at a ‘black’ hair care salon in LA., not everything you presume will happen happens as a result. The show doesn’t shy away from some relevant contemporary topics – and for a sitcom I was impressed at its approach.
BUT, the fact remains that the interracial couple is made of aliens – a harsh reminder that Hollywood still isn’t completely ready to embrace Mixed relationships in ways the rest of us have been doing for centuries.
Win $500 For Your Short Film!
One of our favorite media blogs, Shadow and Act, is running this short film contest. If the story you tell includes the African Diaspora experience – submit your work – and let us know how it goes!
Here’s the link to the contest: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/enter-the-s-a-fantastical-short-films-web-series-contest-win-a-cash-prize?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
‘Biracial’ Teacher Reprimanded for Making ‘White’ Students Uncomfortable
This brief article doesn’t go into detail about what this teacher might have done to make students feel uncomfortable – but we found the racial labeling of those involved interesting (did they self-identify as ‘white’ and ‘biracial,’ or did the journalist make assumptions?). Our goal is to change the narratives we all have around ‘race’ – even when it causes discomfort; perhaps ultimately the students at MCTC will have a new perspective for new and different conversations at the very least. Here’s a link to the article (which includes a video quote from the teacher): http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/11/20/controversy-at-mctc-following-lesson-on-structural-racism/
Tumblr Roll Call: Afro-Latin@ Documentary
This is a documentary series by Dash Harris (twitter handle: @InADash) on racial identity and the African Diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean. Click here to learn more about the series: http://negrodocumentary.com/
Here are some quotes about the series from the tumblr blog:
“I was soooo inspired !!! Your project on educating the world about Afro-Latinos through your documentary Negro, is so amazing.” -Jisela Rodriguez
“Though the issue is very sad, it’s beautiful how so many conscious people are in this documentary speaking their stories. I’m a Black-American and I do have relatives from Mexico and I hardly know much about them because I felt we were too different to even get to know each other. This documentary has changed my mind,”
“Viva los afrodescendientes! viva latinos! I love this. I have shared this as much as possible! Keep up the good work”
“Loving this docu-series! I cannot wait to see what’s coming next. Very proud of how this project is portraying *us*! -Lidia Anain
“You have no idea how much your first piece has amazed me in every level. I related to every single second if it. I relate to this documentary so much I cannot even begin to write down all the things that are in my mind…it’s insane to see a series just about me. That is literally me. It has touched me beyond words….I can’t even wrap my head around it. Please keep up the good work. i support you.” -Jasmine Oufkir Cruz
Who Wants to Go To Sundance!?
A great opportunity for screenwriters without representation – as long as you HAVEN’T made more than $5,000 on a previous script. Get your Mixed Roots Stories for the big screen ready, and apply for this chance to attend the Sundance Film Festival and receive a professional mentorship. DEADLINE: December 1, 2013
Here’s the link for more info: http://tinyurl.com/lavqfaj