Shifting The Conversation On Black Cinema Towards The Love Of Film & Away From Box Office

Features

by Phill Branch
October 8, 2012 9:30 PM
15 Comments

As many black cinephiles anxiously await the release of Ava DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere, discussions begin again about the need to rally in support of independent film. As a film enthusiast living in Los Angeles in my twenties, going to the movies was not a passive activity. Long before the paranoia set in about checking ticket stubs as if we are checking for hanging chads; going to see certain films was a political statement. We were not just going to the movies; we weresupporting a film. It was self-preservation. If Love Jones didn’t make money, how were the rest of us supposed to make our films about regular, non-stereotypical black folks?

Without social media, we did it the old way. We talked to people about the movies we were seeing. We gathered. There was this monthly event that used to go down called Doboy’s Dozens. I remember it being held at Lula Washington’s Dance Theater on Pico Boulevard. We would pack ourselves into this space, young black folks from all over the city, and listen to music and poetry; but the short films were the highlight. I saw dozens, but I only remember two films. One was a short film by Kasi Lemmons called Dr. Hugo that went on to become Eve’s Bayou. The other was a martial arts flick. My memory may be fuzzy, but I’m pretty certain it was Michael Jai White who starred in it. While, I can’t remember all of the films, I do remember the feeling. There was a sense of community. We had to actually leave our apartments, drive and then cram ourselves into a dance studio to see these works. We didn’t have YouTube. I spent a few minutes today looking for any record of Doboy’s. There’s almost no trace that it existed. We weren’t texting, Tweeting, or taking pictures. We were just living the moment.

When you’re surrounded by that much energy, you can sometimes forget that you’re not in the majority. It took me a while to figure it out, but we were a subculture. I think if we could have realized this and appreciated the beauty in that sooner, there would have been less disappointment in seeing our heroes ascend at a slower pace than some others. We would have seen the success in just getting certain movies made, as opposed to spending countless hours talking about why black folks don’t support “real” art. Maybe it’s age, but I am tired of that particular discussion.

I saw I Will Follow, Ms. DuVernay’s first film, in a theater in Hampton, Virginia. I was with a friend and there were two other people in the theater. I went back a second time and brought three people with me. I then made it a homework assignment for my Film Criticism class. For me, the film was a success. The way the film slowly moved from city to city, reminded me of Oscar Micheaux and how he toured the country with his work. There was a feeling of ownership and pride in seeing this movie be embraced by the audience. It all came together. That said, I think we’re still a subculture and I’m okay with that. Sure, I would love to see an indie film like I Will Follow break out and do numbers like Think Like a Man, but I don’t think it’s necessary for the success of the movement.

I watched a film on Netflix last month called Medicine for Melancholy. It jumped right into my Top 20 all-time favorites. It’s an afro-nerd love story set in San Francisco. While I appreciated seeing the film online, I wished that I had seen it in the theater. The truth is, I would still pay to see it in the theater if I had an opportunity to listen to the writer speak.

Film could be the new jazz. Jazz fans spend money on the experience. I believe that black indie film fans would do the same. If most jazz artists depended on mass appeal and CD sales, they’d be in trouble. Jazz artists bring their music to the people. There are workshops, panels, and education initiatives. To me, this is how all of this could work. We have to find a way to take some of the pressure of box office results.

Cinema lovers would pay to watch these smaller films and listen to the artists deconstruct their work. A good number of my friends have been to screenings where Ava has spoken about her projects. They are not only supporting the films, they are supporting her. I am by no means suggesting that filmmakers ignore the possibility of a wider audience, but we’ve got to figure out how to reach the core. According to the box office, there is no measurable reason to make a film that appeals to a more discriminating audience; but we know the audience exists. So, in some ways, depending on box office to validate the work feels like a set-up for failure. At some point, the audience has to be cultivated; not for individual projects, but for the overall love of film.

DuVernay’s African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement is pushing film in that direction. I like that the conversation is driven by the love of film and not about anxiety over there never being another black film made if one fails at the box office. That whole push to buy movie tickets so we can stick it to “the man” can only take us so far.

My friends who I used to hang out with at Doboy’s are in their late 30s and early 40s now. Chances are that most of us wouldn’t choose to go out on a weekday and cozy up in a dance studio to watch short films anymore. However, change the venue, add some wine and I’m pretty certain you can get us out of the house. We can be loyal patrons. Let’s consider how we can better use resources and build those relationships.

Features

15 Comments

| Reply
Radha Blank | October 11, 2012 12:10 AMReply

Hiiiiiii Philip! My film Fest buddy!

Thanks for this entry! As a New York native, your Doboys rings familiar in my attending screenings/music shows some ten years ago pesented by Imagenation (founded by Moikgansti Kgama) and Act Now Prodcutions (founded by the late, great Aaron Ingram, RIP)...both entities have since moved on to bigger venues and events beyond the lil cafes of yesterday but have never swayed in their commitment to present some of the dopest, most cutting edge work of the diaspora. It's where I saw the early films of Seith Mann, Rod Gailes, Caran Hartsfield, Pierre Bennu...(Red Bone Guerillas is brilliant!)

its where i saw Raoul Pecks "Lumumba", Stanley Nelson docs before they aired on tv and where i saw the younger Wood Harris or Nicole Ari Parker give powerful performances at the beginning of their careers. I honestly feel that these enclaves have helped to shape the black indie going audience into what it is today. Now Imagenation sells out Lincoln Center and is part of AFFRM. Now Act Now presents Black films annually at BAM. They've not only become my go to source (along wih Shadow and Act) for great new films of the Diaspora..they've informed my Black film vocabulary and have inspired through great small films to be a part of this movement as audience member and an artist!

And shout out to all the newer enclaves like Philly's Black Star Fest (founded by Maori Holmes) which through a fresh, new crop of diaspora films, reflected a commitment to not only build on this legacy of cultivating audience but a commitment to showcase STELLAR diaspora films wih great writing, amazing actors, high production values and inspired cinematography.
Tamiko | October 9, 2012 3:45 PMReply

Best post I've read all day! I was part of that subculture at Doboy's. And you're right, there was an energy in the room as young artists watched and enjoyed films of all genres. This post has inspired me to continue that legacy with Netflix / VOD / DVD, my friends, and a bottle of wine on a monthly basis - supporting our love of indie black film and filmmakers.
Tamiko | October 9, 2012 3:45 PMReply

Best post I've read all day! I was part of that subculture at Doboy's. And you're right, there was an energy in the room as young artists watched and enjoyed films of all genres. This post has inspired me to continue that legacy with Netflix / VOD / DVD, my friends, and a bottle of wine on a monthly basis - supporting our love of indie black film and filmmakers.
kirk | October 9, 2012 3:16 PMReply

Damn Ava your everywhere! lolololol. Looking forward to seeing you on Tavis tonight!
Donella | October 9, 2012 3:16 PMReply

As one who watches a lot of film from the B-flick, foreign and/or weird section, I agree! Story is everything.
Jason Gilmore | October 9, 2012 1:05 PMReply

Thank you for writing something that I couldn't agree with more if I'd written myself. I remember DoBoy's as well and I truly believe that because of AFFRM and Blackhouse and other filmmakers and resources that have been written about here, something is beginning to formulate. It will have traces of our past but will be something quite different - it has to be, because we are in different times. Anyway, I'm glad to be as close to it as I am, seeing people that I know stepping forward and making films by any means necessary. But thank you for this wonderful piece.
Keith Purvis | October 9, 2012 10:42 AMReply

Great, observant post and a conversation that's been happening in Chicago for quite some time. There's small groups like the one you mentioned all over the country. There should be some dialogue on how to organize all of them so we can share films and multiply our support for filmmakers. Imagine if all those groups around the country could in some way rally around films like Ava's or Barry's or hidden gems that many don't know about. Something looser than a film festival but bigger than any one group.

I would even suggest using this resource (shadow and act) in some way. Great post and very interested in what happens next.
monkeysuit | October 9, 2012 9:11 AMReply

Someone should organize this. Like now.
Michelle | October 9, 2012 1:45 AMReply

I agree wholeheartedly with you. We have to redefine success and understand that not everything has to show up grown. Some things should sneak up on you and make you never forget it. Your example reminded me of how I learned about Jill Scott's first album. It was a whisper that turned into a roar. I took note of all of your recommendations and look forward to more post.
Blackman | October 9, 2012 12:59 AMReply

I seen medicine for melancholy. It was NOT "all that" She went back to her White Art House Boyfriend. And it wasn't sexy enough. While you bumping your gums, why haven't you Reviewed, "THE HOUSE I LIVE IN?" http://filmguide.sundance.org/film/120108/the_house_i_live_in

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/1/31/the_house_i_live_in_new

It won the sundance Grand Prize for Best U.S. Documentary?

Oh, that's right, this is an African only documentary discovery blog.

This OPENS in Chicago this Friday. I will DEF be in attendance.

Movie review:
the top documentary prize at the Sundance Film Festival went to "The House I Live In," which questions why the United States has spent more than $1 trillion on drug arrests in the past 40 years, and yet drugs are cheaper, purer and more available today than ever. The film examines the economic, as well as the moral and practical, failures of the so-called "war on drugs" and calls on the United States to approach drug abuse not as a "war," but as a matter of public health. We need "a very changed dialogue in this country that understands drugs as a public health concern and not a criminal justice concern," says the filmâs director, Eugene Jarecki. "That means the system has to say, 'We were wrong.'" We also speak with Nannie Jeter, who helped raise Jarecki as her own son succumbed to drug addiction and is highlighted in the film. We air clips from the film, featuring Michelle Alexander, author of "The New Jim Crow"; Canadian physician and bestselling author, Gabor MatÃ©; and David Simon, creator of "The Wire."
VC | October 9, 2012 12:22 AMReply

Nice post...
AVA DuVERNAY | October 8, 2012 11:40 PMReply

Mr. Branch: You wrote what's inside my head and my heart on this issue. "According to the box office, there is no measurable reason to make a film that appeals to a more discriminating audience; but we know the audience exists. So, in some ways, depending on box office to validate the work feels like a set-up for failure. At some point, the audience has to be cultivated; not for individual projects, but for the overall love of film." Thank you. Ava DuVernay
ALM | October 8, 2012 10:56 PMReply

Nice post. Googling "Medicine for Melancholy" now.....
Dui | October 8, 2012 9:59 PMReply

This is a very relevant post.
theyounglion | October 8, 2012 9:50 PMReply

I remember DoBoy's, and even had the pleasure of having one of my shorts screened. I went when he was doing it in Leimert Park in the early 2000's. What a warm and energetic scene that was...like you said, black folk coming from all over L.A. to pack a spot in order to watch and talk about short films. Those were really good times.

Shifting The Conversation On Black Cinema Towards The Love Of Film & Away From Box Office

15 Comments

Email Updates

Monthly Archives

Most "Liked"

Around The Network

the network

indiewire

categories

Shifting The Conversation On Black Cinema Towards The Love Of Film & Away From Box Office

15 Comments

Follow Shadow and Act

Email Updates

Monthly Archives

Most "Liked"

Around The Network

the network

indiewire

categories