The mission to revolutionize Black film distribution continues with a dream-like chronicle of the vibrant but dangerous existence of African immigrant life in New York, with the third feature picked up by the African-American Film Releasing Movement (AFFRM).
“Restless City,” written by Eugene Gussenhoven and directed by Andrew Dosunmu, is an evocative drama about a young Senegalese musician hoping for his big break while trying to survive on the streets of Harlem.
The movie is currently playing at the Laemmle (Santa) Monica 4-Plex, and opens May 4 at Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills, the Laemmle Noho7, and the Laemmle Playhouse7 Pasadena.
It also expands nationwide to theaters in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Detroit, and Seattle.
The film stars Sy Alassane, Nicole Grey, Danai Guria, Anthony Okungbowa (the DJ from “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”), and Babs Olusanmokun.
It’s shot by Bradford Young, who has become an emerging name in cinematography, having also composed Sundance Film Festival winner, “Pariah.”
Filmmaker Ava Duvernay, the driving force behind AFFRM, acquired “Restless” after seeing it twice at Sundance.
“Visually, and narratively, this movie took my breath away,” she said. “I couldn’t bear that it would remain on the shelf. I’ve never seen Black people photographed in such a beautiful way.”
Dosunmu, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, segued from the fashion world — as a design assistant for the house of Yves Saint Laurent — to fashion photography, coming to prominence in the U.S. as a music video and commercials director.
As well as directing promos for artists like Isaac Hayes, Angie Stone, Common, Wyclef Jean, and Maxwell, he also worked on spots for the likes of AT&T, General Motors, Levi’s, and Kenneth Cole.
According to Dosunmu, the genesis of the film sprang from his own frustration in trying to finance another project called “Mother George.”
“Every time we thought we had the money, it fell through,” he said Dosunmu in a phone interview from New York. “I got tired of waiting for things to happen. I thought, ‘I’m a filmmaker, I should be making films.’ I just wanted to get out there, and create something. I got together with my friend Eugene, who’s from Botswana, and we wanted to look at the frustration of what it’s like for an immigrant to exist in a place like New York.”
And this time, Dosunmu took a direct approach in funding his vision.
“I went to a few people who knew my work, and amazingly they came through and we managed to shoot the film,” he added.
However, finding an actor to play the lead was more of a challenge, noting, almost in jest that he auditioned most of the cast from “The Wire.”
“Originally, I went with agencies;, young Black actors don’t get as many opportunities, but they just weren’t right — they came with a perception of who this guy was. It just didn’t feel right,” he said. “I wanted someone who embodied the character; he’s been through a lot, traveled through three, four continents. He’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders, but somehow feels this is his destiny.”
Indeed, the movie is visually arresting, although its esoteric storytelling style may make it a harder sell.
But Dosunmu isn’t phased one bit by the challenges his work may pose to audiences.
“I like the fact that people think there’s a dreamlike nature to the film,” he replied. “Most of the big films insult their audience. My film is really about questions, when you come out that’s when the conversation really begins. I want people to connect on an emotional level.”
He added: “It’s definitely exciting that it’s being released by AFFRM. I was gratified that Ava was one of the first to talk about how much she loved it. They will do it justice, and take it into the community, so it won’t just end up in some art house cinema where nobody will see it. That’s their agenda, and I’m excited about that.”
Busola was in Ellen’s audience, and had no idea how much was about to change for her. Ellen was thrilled to be able to help out this fan in need — with some incredible prizes! She was given a brand news 2013 Ford Taurus, a one thousand dollar JC Penny gift card as well as an invitation to the mothers day show in which she will be presented with more fabulous stuffs for expecting mothers.
Greece has opened its first purpose-built detention centre for illegal migrants.
Illegal immigration is a key issue in the run-up to the national election which is on 6 May.
Greek authorities have opened a first detention center for illegal migrants under a new anti-immigration drive launched shortly before Sunday’s national election.
Police say dozens of people were being taken Monday to the site at Amygdaleza, on the northern fringe of Athens, the capital. The first batch, 56 people, were interned on Sunday. The center is designed for 1,200 inmates.
Local residents have held a series of protests, saying the camp will add to the area’s crime problems.
Crisis-afflicted Greece is the main entry point for tens of thousands of illegal immigrants seeking a better future in the European Union. Authorities say 500,000 have reached the country over the past three years.
The influx has coincided with a sharp increase in violent crime. Immigration is a major campaign topic ahead of the election.
Rome, April 30 – The cabinet is set to discuss a new round of public spending cuts on Monday in the hope of raising the money needed to avoid having to increase value added tax by 2% in October.
Italian Cabinet
The government is trying to avoid the planned tax hike, which is part of the ‘Save Italy’ austerity package it approved in December, amid fears that it will plunge the country further into recession.
Premier Mario Monti’s emergency government has also vowed to revamp Italy’s provincial governments after the European Central Bank called on it to push ahead with cost-cutting mergers within this layer of local government.
Proposals to abolish the provincial governments altogether were dropped last year.
“The provincial governments feature in our Constitution, although there is scope to restructure them to obtain big spending reductions,” Economy Ministry Undersecretary Gianfranco Polillo said on Monday.
“Hold on to your dreams” is the new video release from SoundKnockDown, aka SKD. SKD is an up and coming London based Nigerian. This soundtrack, “hold on to your dreams” is the artist fourth music video from his upcoming album ” Passion Beyond Reason”.
SoundKnockDown - aka - SKD
You can follow SKD yon twitter with this handle @soundknockdown
This is the video of the much talked about fairy-tale wedding of Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke and her husband, Linus Idahosa. The wedding took place in Paris, France at an old French castle. Enjoy your views!
After her fairytale wedding in France, below is what Stephanie told the press;
“I’ve always dreamt of a fairytale wedding, especially as a child growing up. I’ve always imagined a fairytale wedding with my prince charming in a castle on an Island. And thank God that my husband finally made that possible inside this 16th-century castle in Cernay, Paris, France. It’s a beautiful feeling to be in love and be with the one person you wish to spend the rest of your life with. It was a fairytale dream come true”
Produced by Nu Century Arts, Birmingham, in partnership with the Octavia Foundation, Margins to Mainstream: The Story of Black Theatre in Britain is a groundbreaking film that builds on previous theatre heritage projects delivered by Nu Century Arts, exploring the history and heritage of black theatre in Britain.
Margins to Mainstream: The Story of Black Theatre in Britain“examines the different interpretations of ‘Black British Theatre’ as a label and genre and catalogues the incredible contribution of black actors, producers and playwrights to the UK theatre tradition. Featuring previously unseen footage of seminal plays, fascinating interviews with theatre heavyweights, ‘Margins to Mainstream’ tells the story of a dynamic art.” [OF]
Historians, playwrights, producers and actors that contributed and appear in the film include Courttia Newland,Javone Prince, Kwame Kwei-Armah, and Pat Cumper.
The film will premiere at The Drum Arts Centre, in Birmingham, on Thursday May 10, @6PM. After that first showing, Margins to Mainstream will have numerous showings that are listed HERE.
Alabama Shakes is the American pop sensation at this moment and they are touring Europe.With lead singer Brittany Howard (23) the band performed on The Late Show with David Letterman. And they made their first UK television debut on April 24, where they appeared on Later… with Jools Holland and performed “Hold On” and “Hang Loose”. Next stop is Bitterzoet Amsterdam on Tuesday May 1.
The César Award-winning actor on the social climates of France and the U.S., American critics’ attack on The Intouchables and his forthcoming collaboration with Michel Gondry.
Omar Sy
The name Omar Sy might not ring a bell for most of us outside of France. This year, the 34-year-old picked up the César Award for Best Actor—the French equivalent of the Oscars—beating out fellow countryman Jean Dujardin, who wound up taking home the Best Actor statue for The Artist at the Academy Awards. Not only that, Sy made history with his César win as the first black actor to receive this highest acting honor in France. With The Intouchables, what Sy accomplishes with such blinding charisma has everything to do with his unfiltered embodiment of his character. When we sat down with Sy for our chat at the Weinstein Company in New York, he mirrored his character, Driss, in more ways than one. He’s quick to laugh, no nonsense and always looking for the next joke.
A phenomenon in France where it shattered box-office records to become one of the highest grossing films of all time, The Intouchables tells the true story of the unlikely friendship between a handicapped millionaire (François Cluzet) and his unconventional Senegalese caretaker (Sy).
The Intouchables hits select theaters on May 25.
You’re virtually unknown here in the States, for now at least. What’s your background and how did you get to where you are now?
I actually started out in radio. I grew up with someone I’ve now known forever—a famous comedian in France—in the same neighborhood. He ran a radio program and one day he needed somebody for a last minute substitution, and we came up with this idea where I would play a retired soccer player from Senegal. We created this role for me and it worked out very well. After that, we decided to continue collaborating and created new characters that I could play. That’s how my career on the radio started out. After that, I did some work for Canal+ and that worked out as well. I think I started working with Éric [Toledano] and Olivier [Nakache], the directors of The Intouchables, on their second short film. Little by little, I took on more film roles. They were smaller roles until The Intouchables came along in which I’m in a leading role for the first time.
The Intouchables has gone onto become one of the highest grossing films of all time in France. What is it about this film that’s attracting such a wide audience?
Well, it’s about optimism and hope. I think there’s a general work climate these days that’s based around pessimism and everybody tends to be very gloomy. It’s difficult to see positive elements in the world around us now and even for the future. It’s comforting to go and see a movie like this where you see something positive. There are positive elements in the movie that are within everyone’s reach. It’s about friendship and about love. That’s something that anyone can attain.
The Los Angeles Times has said that the film has some ‘crying racism.’ Variety proclaimed that your role as Driss is ‘a role barely removed from the jolly house slave of yore.’ I don’t personally share these views, but I would love to get your thoughts on what certain American critics are saying.
I didn’t see any racist elements. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have done this movie. I would need to see what those critics are talking about, specifically. I did read a few things here and there, but I want to make it clear that, in France, things are very different than the U.S. on a social level. The two societies have not evolved in the same way. In France, when you look at the poor and the privileged in the city suburbs, all immigrant communities live together and share the same environment. You’ll find people from places like Northern Africa and Portugal living together. In the U.S., it’s not like that. I would need more information on what these critics are saying, but we should look at all the details. Then we could explain the reasons behind it. It would take a long time and we would need a whole new movie about that.
And added to the fact that this is inspired by a true story. These characters weren’t invented in the filmmakers’ minds. Not entirely, anyway.
That’s true. All of these events really happened. I think that makes all of the positive elements of the film more powerful because they’re not products of invention. It’s something that really happened.
How faithful was the film to the actual story?
It’s quite faithful to the real story, but it is a film in the end with certain elements that were introduced in order for it to be more cinematic. The role of Philippe was close to the actual person whereas the character of Driss was written specifically for me. They introduced a lot of my own personality and attitude to the character. Driss is more distanced from the true person compared to Philippe. The story is adapted in that way. That was the real gift that the filmmakers gave me.
The Weinstein Company is packaging a remake of The Intouchables. What are your thoughts?
I think remakes are generally interesting provided that they’re not just cutting and pasting the original. As we were discussing, France and the U.S. have very different social climates, so it will be very interesting to see how it’s adapted to suit the American reality. Maybe by watching the remake we will better understand the elements that these American critics have taken issues with.
How do you steer your career at this point in your career?
I have no anticipation. [Laughs] I just trust my feelings. There’s no real strategy there. I’m very lucky now that I get to choose whatever I want to do. I can be wherever I want to be and do whatever I want to do.
We recently spoke to Audrey Tautou and discussed Michel Gondry’s The Foam of the Days, which you both star in. I think she mentioned that the current title is Mood Indigo.
The book it’s based on is called Foam of the Daze, but every time the book is republished, it’s given a new title like Mood Indigo.
What can you reveal?
There’s a very interesting cast on board: Romain Duris, Aïssa Maïga, Alain Chabat… The movie will be very close to Michel Gondry’s crazy universe that we’re all familiar with. It will be really interesting to see how he will pull it off. I really have no idea what to expect because I haven’t started shooting it. I’m going to let myself go, willfully dive into it and go wherever he wants to take me. I really trust him. He’s a hard person to follow, but I’m very happy to do it.
The Intouchables seems like the perfect springboard for your transition to Hollywood. Is that something you would be open to exploring?
Have you heard anything specific? Do you know more about it? [Laughs] I really have no idea. It depends on whom I end up meeting. It’s all about finding the right story, the right role, the right filmmaker, the right producer… I have no idea what will show up. I will follow my feelings and do whatever I find interesting. I don’t want to start asking myself these questions now. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. I can’t imagine what will happen to me.
These chance encounters are so significant in the film industry. As director Nanni Moretti recently said in an interview, sometimes talent doesn’t even play into the equation. This doesn’t apply to you, obviously.
Meeting the right people is definitely really important. It has been a very significant factor in my own career. Talking about talent is really hard. It’s not for me to say whether I have talent or not. Other people have to tell me that. You definitely have to work hard. In terms of chance encounters and meeting new people, it’s a valuable element in everybody’s life, not necessarily just in cinema. To go back to The Intouchables, this is what the story is about. Philippe and Driss meet by chance and it changes both of their lives. In terms of lucky encounters, there’s a whole discussion about luck. What is luck?
Who says being a plus size stops you from wearing fabulous cocktail dresses. Gone are the days plus size dresses were nowhere to be seen in the shops and fuller women needed to wear hideous and shapeless uninspiring outfits. Today, the fashion scene has grown wider and plus-sized women are now well represented by fashion designers. A lot of fashion brands these days have a section that makes beautiful and well-fitted clothes for curvy – while there are other brands that cater specifically to the needs of the curvy woman. As such, finding plus size cocktail dresses to wear as a woman on the bigger side is no longer an issue.
Cocktail dresses or cocktail gowns are women dresses designed to be worn to cocktail parties, and semi-formal or “black tie” occasions. They are usually smart dresses that stay above the knee and sometimes a little bit over. They can feature sequins and laces and also known as early evening wear.
If you’re looking for fashionable and classy plus size cocktail dresses to wear to your next party, check out these fabulous cocktail dresses that AfroCosmopolitan fashion has put together.
What do you think about these plus size cocktail dresses? Did you find something that will look great on you to attend an upcoming cocktail party? Share your views by leaving a comment below. If you have a question, drop it down in the comment section below.You can connect with us on Instagram.
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