Riverside Theatre Presents 2009 African Diaspora Summer Film Series 8/21-8/30

For the fifth consecutive year, The Riverside Theatre and ArtMattan Productions have teamed up to present an eclectic slate of award winning, thought provoking and entertaining films from Africa and the African Diaspora from August 21 through August 30 during the annual African Diaspora Summer Film Series at The Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Ave. (bet. 120th & 122nd St.), Morningside Heights.

Founded in 1993, ArtMattan Productions produces a collection of programs and events promoting Afrocentric theme cultures. Through the ADFF and now the Summer Film Series, ArtMattan has long been delighting audiences with U.S. and world premieres of independent films, including features, documentaries, animation, and shorts. In keeping with its commitment to present cutting edge feature films and documentaries, The Riverside Theatre joins ArtMattan Productions to present an array of films to teach and inspire diverse audiences.

The Riverside Theatre is committed to serving as a catalyst for cultural connections and social change. Based on the organization's belief that the arts can be a transforming power in people's lives and that, despite their differences, creativity and artistic expression are threads of commonality, The Riverside Theatre produces work that promotes and deepens cultural and social awareness. Past presentations have included: Power of Drum: Max Roach Tribute; La Boule Blache: A Katherine Dunham Celebration; jazz masters Jon Hendricks and Clark Terry; Forces of Nature Dance Theatre and Earth (H)ours.

This year's African Diaspora Summer Film Series presents:

Gospel Hill - U.S. Theatrical Release
Friday, August 21 at 7:30pm, Saturday, August 22 at 9:00pm, Sunday, August 23 at 4:30pm, Friday, August 28 at 6:30pm, Saturday, August 29 at 6:30pm, & Sunday, August 30 at 2:00pm
Greed and idealism collide in this powerful narrative starring Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Samuel Jackson, Nia Long and Giancarlo Esposito. Tensions of the past resurface, as a town and its people struggle with age-old issues of the politics of prejudice. Images of past and present blend seamlessly as reminders of lessons yet to be learned. Winner of six festival awards including Best Feature, Best Director, and Producer Award.

Migration of Beauty
Saturday, August 22 at 4pm
The DC area is home to one of the largest populations of Ethiopians outside of Africa. Many came to escape political oppression and human rights violations. Now as U.S. citizens, they exercise Constitutional rights mobilizing and organizing their community members for taxicab workers' rights, DC Voting Rights, Voting Rights in Ethiopia and Humane Immigration Reform. From Ethiopia to the United States, Ethiopians stand up for freedom and democracy. Discussion after the screening.

Silent Shame
Saturday, August 22 at 6:30pm
Abdel attempts to meet the cultural and religious expectations of his conservative Latino family, but is forced to confront the unavoidable reality of his true orientation after his wife of four years is infected with HIV. Q&A after the screening.

End of Poverty?
Sunday, August 23 at 2:00pm & Saturday, August 29 at 4:00pm
The End of Poverty?, a daring, thought-provoking and very timely documentary by filmmaker Philippe Diaz narrated by actor Martin Sheen, won critical acclaim at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. The film takes a hard look at world poverty and challenges capitalism and the American way. In a world of plenty, why are so many families around the world still living in abject poverty? Looking beyond the popular "solutions" for poverty, The End of Poverty? asks if the true causes of poverty today stem from a deliberate orchestration of resource misallocation started in colonial times. Discussion after the screening.

Yousson N'Dour: Return to Goree
Friday, August 28 at 8:30pm
This remarkable film traces is the journey of the famous Senegalese singer in his quest to humanize through music the story of those who started their journey as slaves. The film stands as an homage to jazz, and the courage and creativity of those who created this powerful music.

Made In Jamaica
Saturday, August 29 at 8:30pm
A powerful portrait of the leaders of Jamaican music, Made in Jamaica explores - through interviews and musical performances - how Reggae has become a worldwide phenomenon through interviews and musical performances.

Wounded Knee
Sunday, August 30 at 4:00pm
Fascinating in its complexity, with an astonishing amount of archival film footage and firsthand accounts, Wounded Knee explores the occupation of Wounded Knee by 200 armed Oglala Lakota in the 71-day standoff of 1973. An immersive look at the climate of racism in border towns and ultimately, the role the armed protest played in Native American self-conception. - Sundance 2009. Dance performance by Zompantli (Wall of Skull), a dance group that incorporates Aztec and Mayan dances, before the screening.

Tickets to the African Diaspora Summer Film Series are from $8 to $15. For a full schedule of screenings, more information or to purchase tickets call (212) 870-6784 or visit www.theriversidetheatre.org.