Pan African Film & Arts Festival Taps Black Panther Documentary
Taps Documentary Film
"41st & Central:
The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers"
As Centerpiece Presentation
Documentary Tells History of L.A. Black Panther Party
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), America's largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival, has announced feature documentary "41st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers" as their Centerpiece Presentation. The feature screening will take place on Monday, February 15 at 3:30 p.m. at the Culver Plaza Theatre (9919 Washington BoulevardL.A.). Tickets are $30 and include a panel discussion and after party. Tickets are available online at www.paff.org or by visiting the PAFF box office located at the Culver Plaza Theatre beginning February 11. For more information on the 18th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival please visit www.paff.org or call (310) 337-4737.
About 41st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers
Documentary Feature
Year: 2009
Runtime: 120 min
Country: U.S.
Language: English
Directed by: Gregory Everett
Written by: Gregory Everett, Gary Walker, Nicole Jefferson
Produced by: Gregory Everett, Julius Turrentine, Darnell Howard, Roland Freeman, Gary Walker, Masai Minters, Jasmyne A. Cannick, Jeff Cooper, George Chapell
"41st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers", a two part documentary series by filmmaker Gregory Everett, follows the Southern California Chapter of the Black Panther Party from its glorious Black Power beginnings through to its tragic demise. Despite the Party's formation of free medical clinics and a successful breakfast program for children, the L.A. chapter was also known as the most violent Black political group in the United States. "41st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers" explores The Black Panther ethos, its conflict with the L.A.P.D., and the US Organization as well as the events that shaped the complicated and often contradictory legacy of the L.A. Panthers. The film contains interviews with former Black Panther Party members along with archival footage detailing the history of racism in Los Angeles, including the Watt's uprising from the perspective of the participants who "engaged with the L.A.P.D." "41st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers", is the most in-depth study ever of L.A. Chapter founder Alpretice "Bunchy Carter" with the Party's formation told by the original surviving members and an eyewitness account of Bunchy and John Huggins murder at U.C.L.A. in 1968. The film includes exclusive interviews with Black Panther Party leaders Geronimo Ji Jagga and Elaine Brown about their membership in the L.A. Chapter and the U.C.L.A. murders. Also featured are L.A. Panthers members Ericka Huggins, Roland & Ronald Freeman, Wayne Pharr, Jeffrey Everett, Long John Washington, Muhammad Mubarak, former L.A.P.D. Chief Bernard Parks, US Organization member Wesley Kabaila, U.C.L.A. Professor Scot Brown, and many others.
About the Pan African Film & Arts Festival
Taking place February 10-17 in Los Angeles at the Culver Plaza Theatre (9919 Washington Blvd.), PAFF presents and showcases a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans. In addition to the film festival, the PAFF will present its world renowned Art Show February 12-15 at the Westfield Culver Plaza (6000 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City), featuring over 100 fine artists and craftspeople from around the world showcasing the best in Black fine art, sculpture, photography, unique handmade crafts, home furnishings, designer jewelry, designer fashions and accessories that highlight the artistry and beauty of the African aesthetic. For more information, please visit www.paff.org or call (310) 337-4737.
It is PAFF's goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. The PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.
The 18th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival is an official event of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Black History Month Celebration and is supported in part by: the City of Los Angeles, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and Los Angeles County Arts Commission with support from Los Angeles 8th District Council Member Bernard Parks Sr., Los Angeles 9th District Council Member Jan Perry, Los Angeles 10th District Council Member Herb Wesson Jr., Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, California State Senator Curren D. Price Jr., Assemblymember Karen Bass, and Assemblymember Steve Bradford. The 2010 PAFF is an official recipient of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.
2010 sponsors include: Macy's, Wells Fargo Bank, Mc Donald's USA, Water Replenishment District of Southern California, US Bank, TV5 Monde, the French Consulate, Goethe Institute Los Angeles, PXP, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, United States Census 2010 Road Tour, AARP, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Coca-Cola, Red Tea Rooibos, Ceres, Izze Sparking Juice, Time Warner Cable, The Africa Channel, KPFK, Our Weekly Newspaper, The Immigrant Magazine, LaHitz Media, African Trumpet, Directors Guild of America, Sony Pictures, and 21st Century Fox.
