FORWARDEVER MEDIA CENTER
Writer Alex
Haley writing The Autobiography of Malcolm X with Brother Malcolm.
"The
media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make
the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power.
Because they control the minds of the masses."
- Malcolm X
Mission
The Forwardever Media Center is 100% committed to providing unconventional writing workshops and media literacy training to "at-risk" Black youth, particularly males, ages 14 through 24. Working in partnership with The Mentoring Center in Oakland, CA., the Center's writing workshops, website internship, and film forums, help students develop critical thinking skills and discover their creative talents. We recruit youth for our programs from the California Youth Authority (the state's largest prison for youth) as well as from universities and high schools. This cross-pollination of young minds creates dynamic shared experiences.
Programs
Whatchusay Cinema–A monthly film forum hosted at schools or community centers in Northern California that explores issues such as race, class, gender, and society. Students are joined by a panel of activists, educators, athletes, entrepreneurs, etc. to rate the films and convene roundtable discussions about corresponding relevant issues in society. For info about film screenings and schedules contact: cheo@whatchusay.com
Writing Workshops–We offer intensive seminars in journalism, creative writing, cultural criticism, new media, film production, etc. These seminars are taught at the center, located at 1224 Preservation Park, Oakland, CA, 94612. They are also available on location, at schools, community and detention centers, churches, etc. For info about class schedules contact: cheo@whatchusay.com
Internships–Whatchusay.com offers competitive internships to young writers who have clearly demonstrated a passion for the craft of writing or media production. The 3-month internship covers news writing and reporting, feature writing, creative writing, media literacy and new media. Working in partnership with community based organizations, universities and international and national media outlets, we produce a pipeline of informed journalists of color who will go on to create their own independent media organizations or work for major media organizations.
More...« Janet Jackson is 20 Y.O. | Main | Sex and the Single Sista: You Can't Handle the Truth! »
Catch a Fire
By A.L. "Toni" Anderson
.jpg)
Derek Luke (Glory Road - 2006) and Tim Robbins (Mystic River - 2003) star in Catch a Fire (2006), the dramatic new film by Australian director Phillip Noyce (The Bone Collector - 1999). The film is based on the life of Patrick Chamusso, past employee of the Secunda Oil Refinery in Transvaal, South Africa, and present political activist. The overwhelming injustice of apartheid in 1980s South Africa converts a loyal "company man" into a raging revolutionary.
Catch a Fire is a fascinating story of racially segregated life in European-dominated South Africa, which closely parallels our struggle for civil rights here in the U.S. Throughout the film, there is a bloodthirsty search for African "terrorists" who are merely seeking to regain their dignity.
The film begins with random military-style checkpoint activity, vicious police dogs prowling, and unconscionable violence against alleged members of the African National Congress. Robbins is Nic Vos of the Police Security Branch, one of the prime perpetrators of the out-of-control violence, in search of "terroristic activity" within the oil refinery plant. The picture of blatant racism and cruelty is enough to make one want to weep — or to fight back! Chamusso chooses to do both.
On the surface, Chamusso seems to be an ordinary upright citizen. He is a hard-working man who holds a position of responsibility in the refinery. He has a fine family that he loves at home. He also has a secret that places it all in jeopardy, and ultimately is instrumental in bringing about his personal downfall. It is the revelation of this secret that is at the heart of a devastating betrayal, and the loss of family and freedom.
Chamusso's comely wife is played by Bonnie Mbuli (Drum - 2004). Other supporting cast are Mncedisi Shabangu (Hijack Stories - 2000) as Zuko September, Tumisho Masha (Drum - 2004) as Obadi, Sithembiso as Sixpence, a soccer prodigy who plays on Patrick's youth team, and Mxo as rebel warrior "Pete My Baby."
Patrick Chamusso appears in person at the end of the film, interacting with actor Derek Luke. Also appearing in the film are Chamusso's wife and many adopted children, along with the orphanage they run entitled Two Sisters (www.twosisters.org.za). There is a cameo appearance by Nelson Mandela, former President of the ANC and of the Nation of South Africa.
The film is named for an early album by Bob Marley and the Wailers, and prominently features their music. With its gripping documentary footage and presentation of the people's fight against injustice, this excellent film is likely to ignite a fire in you! The film opens in theaters on Friday, October 27, 2006.
Posted on October 24, 2006 2:40 AM
