RACE, MUSIC, FILM + VR

The Apollo Theater + AFROPUNK + ImageNation present

RACE, MUSIC, FILM + VR

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ImageNation presents RACE, MUSIC, FILM + VR. Complementing the Apollo Theater and AFROPUNK Race Music series, this Black History Month celebration features screenings of Fela: Music is the Weapon and Favela Rising, two repertory films that explore the use of music to fuel social movements and ignite change. Favela Rising will be preceded by A$AP Ferg in Liberia: Where Stars are Born, a short film on the Harlem rapper and his first trip to Liberia for philanthropic work. Plus, join our "VR Revolution" as we take over the entire lobby of the Apollo Theater with innovative virtual reality content exploring the global Black experience.

 

RACE, MUSIC, FILM + VR PANEL

The afternoon culminates with a panel discussing the intersections of race, music, film and politics with: filmmakers - Chid Liberty, "A$AP Ferg in Africa", Shola Lynch, Free Angela & All Political Prisoners, and VR creator Will Roberts, "BHX1619", along with Leslie Fields-Cruz, Executive Director, Black Public Media, and Prof. Stephanie Shonekan, co-editor of the book Black Lives Matter and Music. Moderated by Moikgantsi Kgama, Founder, ImageNation.

 

FILM

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Fela: Music is the Weapon

directed by Jean Jacques Flori

and Stephen Tchal-Gadjieff, 1982

53 min., France/Nigeria

This classic documentary contains concert footage and interviews with Fela detailing his thoughts on politics.

 

A$AP FERG IN LIBERIA: WHERE STARS ARE BORN

Director, A$AP Ferg, Chid Liberty, 2017

24 min., USA/Liberia

This short film follows the Harlem rapper on his first trip to Liberia to do philanthropic work.

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Favela Rising

Directed by Jeff Zimbalist, Matt Mochary, 2005

80 min., USA/Brazil

Through Afro-Reggae music a former drug trafficker rallies his community to counteract violent oppression.
 

 

VR REVOLUTION! EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY

VR content curated by Sidney Mehu, Emerging Media Manager, ImageNation

 

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BHX 1619

by Will Roberts

As a member of cyber defense team “BHX”, you are tasked with finding and eliminating a unique memory altering virus and the hacker who created it. BHX1619 pays homage to African king and queens, pre-slavery of 1619.

 

BATTLESCAR

by  Martín Allais + Nico Casavecchia

Narrated by Rosario Dawson, BattleScar is a coming of age drama set in 1978 New York that explores identity and empowerment through stunning animation and immersive environments.

 

I AM A MAN VR EXPERIENCE

by Derek A. Ham

Experience the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Worker’s Strike and witness the events leading to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

MASTERS OF THE SUN

by will.i.am.

An ancient mystic fights the zombie apocalypse. Stan Lee, Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx, KRS-One, Rakim, Jason Isaacs and Slick Rick round out will.i.am's A-list cast.

 

MY AFRICA

by Conservation Int'l

Lupita Nyong'o narrates a stunning voyage to an elephant sanctuary in Kenya.

 

PANDORA

by Jonathan Dotse + Kabiru Seidu

Follow Pandora as she journeys through virtual Accra. Experience the Greek myth re-imagined in an African context.