Search - Afrocentricity - Vol. 1 on DVD

AFROCENTRICTY-- TRULY A COLLECTORS ITEM

07/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This awesome collection of short films by Black Directors should air in its entirety on television. I can't believe that this collection is the first of its kind. This DVD sheds light on several Black filmmakers at a time in their careers when making a film is solely about that--making films. This is a must buy for any filmgoer that appreciates film as art and likes to follow a director's career from its inception."

The newest batch of great directors

Michael Anthony Brenton | 08/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THis is really a unique perspective. Not a stereotypical one in the bunch. I look forward to seeing what feature films this group comes back with. Loved true, the kickoff for the Bud campaign and also the Hip Hop documentary was really interesting."

Very inspirational

Bakari Chavanu | 11/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't add much to what has already been said about this DVD, but I am glad that I stumbled upon it in the video store. I'm not sure why it's titled "Afrocenticity,"--because it's not really about that, but the focus of Black filmmakers and their work definitely fills a void in the filmmaking industry. For what we get with this DVD is a collection of work by artists who are serious about their craft and are not making up something for a quick buck.One of my favorite pieces is "Kings," a short film about young successful attorney who is forced to confront where he has come from and where he's going. It's conveys a prevelant theme amongst many African people who have been successful in White mainstream corporate America, but who also are struggling to understand how they keep ties with the community in which they grew up. The directing and cinamatagraphy of this piece are very well done. A warm, soulful mood is set throughout the piece that make for a compelling short story.Muhammida El Muhajir's "Hip Hop: The New World Order," may be lacking in her camera work, but she makes up for it with her international travels to document the impact of Hip-Hop in places like Japan, France, and Cuba. I hope this piece is made into a full production. And finally, I liked "Breakdown," which to me has sort of a Hitchkock influence. I won't say anymore about the plot, because it would give it way. In the end, though, the story is not oringinal, it's a fine piece of storytelling that is directed, shot, and edited with serious attention to the craft of filmmaking.I really look forward to future volumes of short films like "Afrocentricity." These type of collections serve to expose the work of young or unknown artists who are trying to work within and beyond the mainstream."