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One Imagination empowers the current and next generation of leaders through written and oral expression. As a collective based in the Long Beach/South Bay area, we believe that through conscious artistic programming, community education and outreach, and leadership development, we can cultivate a world free of hatred, ignorance, injustice, inequality, and oppression.





Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Pan African Film and Arts Festival

Now on its 16th year, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) will be in town February 7th to the 18th. It will feature over 100 films that represent countries and peoples throughout the African diaspora. The aim of the film festival is to "showcase the broad spectrum of black creative work, especially those aim on breaking stereotypes." (PAFF)

Besides the films themselves, what's worth checking out is the Art Mart (FREE entrance) which features over 100 artists and artisans from just about every continent but Antarctica. The SpokenWord Fest is also on the top of the list, with Shihan (featured Def Jam poet) as host.

Location of the Art Market:
BALDWIN HILLS CRENSHAW PLAZA
3650 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90008
FREE PARKING.

At first it felt as if the film festival itself was a little elitist and out of reach to the people it is trying to reach out to the most, which is black Americans. The opening night gala is $150, to attend the workshops it is about $20 (excepting the African Martial Arts one that is free), and film screenings are close to $10. It must be noted though that as part of the film festival, they have a student fest in which students throughout the city and county are welcomed, through their schools, to watch certain screenings that pertain to youth for free. Not to mention the Children's Fest, that provides free screenings to children and their parents.


Here are the films at the intersection of Hip Hop, Culture, and struggle:
Akira's Hip Hop Shop
02/14/2008 - 6:20pm
02/16/2008 - 11:15am
-drama/comedy that goes beyond black and white, and into the romance of a Japanese record store owner and a black culinary student.

B.L.A.C.K.- An Aboriginal Song of Hip-Hop
02/11/2008 - 6:30pm
02/16/2008 - 1:35pm
"This film explores the complexity of Aboriginal society through the seductive rhythm, rhyme and reason of the Hip Hop lyric."

Diamonds in the Rough: A Ugandan Hip Hop Revolution
02/14/2008 - 3:50pm
02/15/2008 - 10:45pm
-"The incredible journey of the hip-hop group the Bataka Squad, who use hip-hop to spread awareness of their country's troubles, and to offer positive alternatives for the youth."





Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes

02/10/2008 - 8:55pm
02/18/2008 - 4:45pm
-documentary that goes into gender roles in hip hop and rap music

I Love Hip Hop in Morocco

02/08/2008 - 5:30pm
02/18/2008 - 8:40pm
-bringing hip hop out of the underground in Morocco

Movement (R)evolution Africa
02/09/2008 - 11:00am
02/18/2008 - 1:30pm
"Stunning choreography and riveting critiques challenge stale stereotypes of 'traditional Africa' to unveil soul-shaking responses to the beauty and tragedy of 21st century Africa."


Short Radiography of Hip Hop in Cuba
02/10/2008 - 9:05pm
02/16/2008 - 4:15pm
"Despite significant social change in Cuba, Blacks continue to be ostracized and subjugated by a colonial outlook. In 1995, a group of creative young people founded the Rap Festival; since then, the government has taken control of the Hip Hop movement, undermining its intentions."

This is the Life
02/09/2008 - 8:20pm
02/11/2008 - 8:00pm
straight out of LA..."The little known story of a group of teenagers, who revolutionized hip hop by innovating the very rhyme patterns, melodic concepts and lyrical styles used by many of today's biggest rap stars."


to catch the film screenings:
AMC MAGIC JOHNSON CRENSHAW 15
4020 MARLTON AVENUE
LOS ANGELES , CA 90008

These are but a few, there are over 100 films, from animation, to comedies, to documentaries, to murder mysteries. Let's check some out! Well, maybe one...broke college student here.

-Rudy D.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

interesting, worth checking out, ha, I'll be in LA already Suckas!

Anonymous said...

I helped my friend sell African jewelry here last year, and it's also where I got my nose pierced ahaha. Anyways, I think I was the only Asian in the whole mall, which isn't a problem, but what shocked me was that upon exploration of this location there were three military recruitment centers. I've never seen one in a mall before. Also, have you ever seen a Wal Mart in a mall? Strange observation...

Anonymous said...

good life flick sounds real cool. all those emcees are legends. i may go check that out. thanks for the heads-up on that 1.