Urban Music Week Announces Urban Film Series sponsored by Fusicology

Toronto Urban Music Festival Incorporated

Presents

Urban Music Week



ANNOUNCEMENT



Urban Film Series sponsored by Fusicology

February 25 – 27, 2011



This exciting Urban Film Series was launched in 2003 in association with the National Film Board of Canada at the John Spotton Cinema, aka National Film Board Cinema. The 2011 series is sure to electrify audiences with a fantastic array of films.

All screenings will take place at:

National Film Board Cinema, 150 John St. @ Richmond St. W.


Friday, February 25th
7:30pm - Say My Name

Canadian Premiere screening

Co-presented by Droppin Dimez

In a hip hop and R&B world dominated by men and noted for misogyny, the unstoppable female lyricists of SAY MY NAME speak candidly about class, race, and gender while pursuing their passions as female MCs. This worldwide documentary takes viewers on a vibrant tour of urban culture and musical movement, from hip hop’s birthplace in the Bronx, to grime on London’s Eastside, to Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, and L.A., and points in between.

Featuring interviews and musical performances from a diverse cast of women including Remy Ma, Rah Digga, Jean Grae, Erykah Badu, Estelle, as well as newcomers Chocolate Thai, Invincible, and Miz Korona, this powerful documentary delves into the amazing personal stories of women balancing professional dreams with the stark realities of poor urban communities, race, sexism, and motherhood. The more than 18 artists featured in SAY MY NAME battle for a place in a society that creates few chances for women. From emerging artists filled with new creativity, to true pioneers like MC Lyte, Roxxanne Shante, and Monie Love, these are women turning adversity into art.

http://www.saymyname.org



Saturday, Februry 26th

1:30pm - Afro Punk

Afro-Punk, a 66-minute documentary, explores race identity within the punk scene. More than your everyday “Behind the Music” or typical black history month documentary, this film tackles the hard questions such as issues of loneliness, exile, inter-racial dating, and black power. We follow the lives of four people who have dedicated themselves to the punk rock lifestyle. They find themselves in conflicting situations, living the dual life of a person of color in a mostly white community.

The style of the documentary inter-cuts interviews from scores of black punk rockers from all over the nation with scenes from our four protagonists' lives, who come from different regions, generations, genders, and sexual preferences, but their stories are amazingly similar.

Afro-Punk features performances by Bad Brains, Tamar Kali, Cipher, and Ten Grand. It also contains exclusive interviews by members of Fishbone, 247- spyz, Dead Kennedys, Candiria, Orange 9mm and TV on the Radio to name a few.


3:30pm - Thunder Soul

Hot Docs 2010 Audience Award Winner

Conrad "Prof" Johnson composed original funk songs and arranged fantastic stage antics with Houston’s Kashmere High School Stage Band. He became the first black high school bandleader with an all-black high school band to win the Texas state championship in the 1970s. His "give it all you got" attitude made the group unstoppable, leading them to win 42 out of 46 contests over the course of the decade and establishing them as international funk legends with tours in Paris and Japan. THUNDER SOUL combines archival footage of the kids in action, showing off their James Brown showmanship, platform shoes, and Bootsy Collins-type rhythms, with the band members' recent reunion. With nothing but love for the father of funk from their youth, they practice for the first time in three decades, hoping they "still got it" enough to perform a tribute show for the ailing 92-year-old professor.

http://www.thundersoulmovie.com


Sunday, February 27th
1:30pm - Africa Unite: A Celebration of Bob Marley's 60th Birthday

AFRICA UNITE is a singular and masterfully executed film by Stephanie Black that is at once concert tribute, Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary, igniting the screen with the spirit of world-renowned reggae icon BOB MARLEY in its every frame. In commemoration of Bob’s 60th birthday, Africa Unite is centered on the Marleys’ first-time-ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005. Includes rare footage of the legendary reggae icon Bob Marley.

There in the capital city of Addis Ababa, three generations of Marleys take part in a 12-hour concert attended by more than 300,000 people from around the world, with the ultimate purpose of inspiring young generations of Africans to unite for the future of their continent.

Features exuberant on-stage spots as well as a soundtrack brimming with Bob Marley studio classics. Includes appearances by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador/actor Danny Glover, world music sensation and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo, Bob Marley’s mother, Mrs. Booker, and Princess Mary, granddaughter of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I. Produced and directed by Stephanie Black (Life & Debt, H-2 Worker), and Executive Produced by Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes.


3:30pm - Coming Back For More (Sly Stone Doc)

Canadian Premiere Screening

Audience Award @ Biografilm Festival Italy

Best Feature Film @ Duke City Doc Fest 2010

Sly Stone is one of the great musical innovators of the last 50 years. With his band the Family Stone he was one of the highlights of the Woodstock Festival. Sly survived his drug addiction but disappeared in the early 80’s from the limelight and became untraceable for years. Filmmakers, musicians (Prince) and friends tried to contact him, without success. TV stations had offered thousands of dollars in the hope of an interview, but Sly was not to be tempted. In 2002, director/musician Willem Alkema started searching for Sly Stone. Two years later, he found Sly living in a house at the end of a dead end street on a hill just outside Los Angeles. Sly Stone didn't want to be found or filmed but Willem didn't give up and in 2007 finally followed Sly in his first steps on stage since the seventies. At that moment Sly didn't want to be interviewed and disappeared. Finally, in June 2009 Sly gave his first filmed interview in more then 20 years.

http://www.slystonedocumentary.com





***Programs are subject to change***





Admission: $8 per screening, $12 one-day pass





For more information please visit www.tumf.net or contact:



Simon Fisher
Managing Director
Fusicology CANADA
http://www.fusicology.com
e. simon@fusicology.com
t. 416.731.4976





For Media Information:

Alyse Feldman

On the Fly Public Relations

416-802-3592

ontheflypr@gmail.com