World Premiere of Documentary on Icons Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, 6/22

Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee, the documentary about the iconic Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee by their grandson Muta'Ali, will have its world premiere at Film Life's 18th Annual American Black Film Festival.

The film-part tribute, part history lesson and part coming-of-age story for the filmmaker-give viewers an intimate look into the remarkable lives of the couple many consider the all-time king and queen of Black Hollywood. The film, produced by Jevon "NJ" Frank, follows Muta'Ali as he delves into chapters of their lives that span the 20th and 21st centuries, posing probing questions to his grandmother as well as to celebrity friends, costars and fellow activists of the star couple in his search for his own life's path. Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, Hill Harper, Samuel Jackson, Spike Lee, Sonia Sanchez and Dr. Cornel West are among the notables who offer insights into and memories of the couple's love, art and activism. Davis weighs in, too, speaking to his grandson through never-before-seen footage and memorabilia from the Davis-Dee family archives.

Interviews at Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street, 2nd Floor, Manhattan

Screening at School of Visual Arts (SVA) Theatre, 333 West 23 Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, Manhattan

Sunday, June 22

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Interview opportunities

1:50 pm - Screening (We suggest that you pick up tickets at the SVA Theater Will Call at least 30 minutes prior to the show.)