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i * THE GAMECOCK ♦ Wednesday, February 4,2004 7 ' I I I ^ ^ I \ / W "To forget one’s ancestors is to be a I_I m A a / I I a/ brook without a source, a tree with a Contact Us || II , 1/11 A r”c Story ideas? Questions? Comments? I I I k V I I J CHINESE PROVERB ___ o cl WBm o > o cr BB| u m ■ g 1 <g I g § k! & 2 |m:: o X I t- CL I ; o < 115'%'. x cr W^\: Q- o B y. * I Third annual African-American/ International Film Festival returns to Nickelodeon Theatre Scenes from the movie “Wattstax,” one of the films featured In this weekend’s African-American film festival at the Nickelodeon theatre. BY CARRIE GIVENS TIIKtIAMKCOCK From Feb. 6 through Feb. 12, the Nickelodeon Theatre will showcase a unique collection of films as part of the Third Annual African-American/Intemational Film Festival. In 2002, the Nickelodeon began the event after several members of the communi ty voiced an interest in attending a film festival that would reflect their cultural heritage, k This year, after much research, ' the film festival’s selection com mittee has chosen a varied-but-in triguing trio of films. Directed by either African-Americans or fllm t*. :• --— makers from Africa, the lineup in cludes a poignant drama, an en gaging thriller and a documen tary. In addition to being award winning films, all three features offer what Nickelodeon’s Executive Director Anne Raman called "a unique experience.” The festival will open with Friday’s showing of "Wattstax.” The ‘70s breakthrough film im mortalizing the Black Power movement and period music has been remastered and re-released after a 30-year hiatus. Depicting the Los Angeles black communi ty amid the summer of 1972, the film features cameo appearances by a young Jesse Jackson, then up and-coming comedian Richard Pryor, and other emerging musicians and activists. Anne Raman promises that "Wattstax” will be an “amazing experience.” Raman explained: "The ‘70s is so superficially treated on televi sion ... (They) were a very politi cal time, a time of optimism and idealism. (The film has) a sense of energy and the issues.” Hailing the film as a "great trip back in time,” Raman believes the film serves as a "good contrast to how cynical people are today.” _____ T71 On Monday, the festival will switch from the excitement of the ‘70s to the seriousness of "Skin Deep.” Categorized as a "sexually and racially charged thriller,” the film centers on what evolves when two couples enter into a dangerous tango of love, lust and deception. Featuring the talents of Steve White, “Mad TV’s” Debra Wilson and “Baby Boy’s” A.J. Johnson, this film, Raman said, will "have a lot of people talking.” Addressing “hot-button issues,” the tale can be described as one of “post O.J. fatal attraction,” Raman said. The festival concludes with the captivating “Abouna.” The film follows the story of two brothers as they search for their missing fa ther. Set in the barren land of Chad, the film portrays the reali ty of life, which does not always lead to an optimistic ending. Raman described “Abouna” as a "rare opportunity to experience life” through the eyes of the African director, and the two brothers on screen. She added, “Africa is so many cultures ... (you) really see the country and understand the peo ple” through this film. In addition to these three films, the Nickelodeon, in partnership with Benedict College, will of fer a free screening of short films by independent black filmmakers. These award-winning shorts in clude “Red Eye,” “Positive Attitude,” “His/Her Story,” and “My Nappy Roots.” The collection will be shown on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Benedict College’s Ponder Auditorium. Raman remarked that this is a unique opportunity because many people never see short films “unless they watch the Sundance channel.” Refer to the screening schedule for specific show times. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu ~t_,_m_ Film Festival Schedule of Events Friday - Sunday 7 p.m., 9:15 p.m. (as well as 3 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday) WATTSTAX THE SPECIAL EDITION: ONE MORE TAKE . The powerful beauty and I dynamism of the original WATTSTAX film was overlooked for decades. Because of rights complications, it received little play after its initial theatrical run in 1973. This special new release tracks down the long lost original Isaac Hayes closing songs, with a newly remixed and remastered soundtrack. WATTSTAX the conceit and WATTSTAX the film were unprecedented events for the Los Angeles African-American community and a source of great pride. In the weeks surrounding the filming of the concert, the predominately African-American film crews took to the streets, recording candid interviews with local African-Americans and I capturing a unique, unvarnished view of the Watts community. The crew also filmed then little known comic Richard Pryor’s biting insights on the black experience which frame the movie. The setting is the undiluted summer of 1972 funk, jive and soul as expressed in and around the streets of Watts. Music and film lovers love the volatile mix of fashion, funky music and radical politics that make this film truly unique. v USA. 1973/2003. ^nglish. Rated R. 104 min. http://wattstax.com. Saturday Free Screening at 1 p.m. at Benedict College’s Ponder Auditorium: SHORT FILMS BY INDEPENDENT BUCK FILMMAKERS Come out and see award winning and acclaimed short films including RED EYE, winner of two awards at the Jamerican Film Festival, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, multiple awards winner at Through Her Eyes - Women of Color Rim Festival; HIS/HER STORY, MY NAPPY ROOTS and more. Monday - Tuesday 7 p.m., 9 p.m. SKIN DEEP Best Rim Award-winner at the American Black Film Fest and the International Jamerican Film Fest, this sexually and racially charged thriller focuses on two couples (plus one) who are drawn into a perilous web of love, lust, danger and deception. Tony struggles with roles as husband, friend, lover and black man in white, upwardly mobile Silicon Valley. His best friend Michael never misses a jab at Tony’s white wife or his “Huxtable Hill" lifestyle. Fueled by alcohol, not tubbing, and racial and sexual baiting, this combustible mix - which includes Michael's sexually assertive wife and Tony's unstable lover - sets off a furious, shocking chain of events. A compelling cast includes Steve White (ABFF Best Actor winner), "Mad TV’s" Debra Wilson, and "Baby Boy's” A J. Johnson. U.S.A. 2003. Not Rated (graphic sexual content, violence). 90 minutes. www.skindeepthemovie.com Wednesday - Thursday 7 p.m., 9 p.m. (as well as 3 p.m. matinee Wednesday) ABOUNA In N'Djamena, the dry, dusty capital of Chad, an errant father abandons his family. When he fails to show up to referee their soccer match, 15-year-old Tahir and his younger brother, Amine, set out on a fruitless search to look for him. In despair, the boys' mother places them in a Koranic school. They plan to escape until Tahir falls in love with a mute local girl. One of only two Chadian filmmakers, Mahamet Saleh Haroun (BYE-BYE AFRICA) confounds "western" notions of story development, slowly revealing the sad and sometimes harsh reality of life. "When you make a happy end," the filmmaker said, “in Chad they know that it's not true.” This film is presented in part with support from the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Culture (CNC). France/Chad. 2002. French/Arabic (English subtitles). Not rated. 84 minutes. Halftime show flap spotlights sex on prime-time television BY LINDA SHRIEVES AND DARRYL OWENS KHT CAMIM'S Of all the flags thrown in Sunday's Super Bowl, CBS faces the greatest penalty. The Federal Communications Commission lashed out at the net work Monday, for the halftime show in which singer Justin Timberlake tore off part of Janet Jackson's cos tume, exposing her breast. “I have instructed the commis sion to open an immediate investi gation into last night's broadcast,” said FCC Chairman Michael Powell on Monday. He also described it as “a classless, crass and deplorable stunt.” Fallout from the halftime show, produced by MTV, overshadowed what may have been among the most exciting Super Bowl game in years. Around water coolers, on the Internet and on television, the talk on Monday wasn't about the Patriots' game-winning field goal, but what Timberlake called a “wardrobe malfunction.” Politicians weighed in and par ents vented outrage, lighting up the network's switchboard. Meanwhile, the NFL hinted it may bar MTV from producing future halftime shows. But Americans cannot escape the constant drumbeat of sexuality, even during what purports to be family entertainment. From the Super Bowl to primetime sitcoms to the toy aisle, ♦ HALFTIME, SEE PAGE 8 PHOTO COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS Janet Jackson’s revealing halftime show prompts an FCC investigation of CBS’s Super Bowl broadcast Sunday.