[Mark Rabinowitz] On Tuesday I was lucky enough to serve as a plus 1 to the HBO premiere screening of Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and Elvis Mitchell's "The Black List: Vol. 1," hosted by Time Warner Chairman of the Board, Richard D. Parsons. The pre-screening reception was very well attended and the spread was pretty nice. The invite said "cocktails and not that I am complaining, but since when do short ribs fall under "cocktails?" The Rabbi loves him some short ribs!

As for the film itself, it's pretty damn amazing. I can honestly say I have never seen a film that so clearly, simply and beautifully portrayed what it means to be Black in America. My mother Joanne Grant was a very proud mixed-race woman who, more often than not, identified as black and had she lived to see the film I am certain she would have been as moved by it as I. Of course, since she was herself a filmmaker and not shy about getting up in people's faces, I am sure she would have wanted in on the project and knowing her, she'd either have been up on the screen or behind the scenes.

The legendary Al Maysles was in the audience and as indieWIRE's Eugene Hernandez reports, was really worked up by the film. At an improptu Q&A session following the screening Maysles, who recently re-located to Harlem was hardly able to remain in his seat and let everyone know in no uncertain terms his opinion: This was the first film that really communicated to a white audience what it meant to be Black in America.

Members of The Black List who attended the screening included the aforementioned Mr. Parsons (I met his cousin earlier in the evening. Charming woman.) NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Reverend Al Sharpton and dance legend Bill T. Jones who closes the film with such raw power and presence I dare anyone not to be affected. Also at the reception and screening were Warrington Hudlin (prod. "House Party"), Chai Vasarhelyi (dir. "Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love") and Jack Turner (exec. prod. "Theater of War," "Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love").

Photo L to R: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rev. Al Sharpton, Ricard Parsons ©Mark Rabinowitz