XXIV. Black International Cinema Berlin
Germany & USA 2009
May 7-10
Rathaus Schöneberg
(city hall)
John-F.-Kennedy-Platz
10825 Berlin-Schöneberg
"A COMPLEXION CHANGE – International & Intercultural Diplomacy"
A tribute to:
Chancellor Willy Brandt
"The future will not
be mastered by those who dwell on the past."
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Human progress is
neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice
requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate
concern of dedicated individuals."
President John-F. Kennedy
"We must
never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth."
President Barack Hussein Obama
"Change
will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are
the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
produced & directed by
FOUNTAINHEAD® TANZ THEATRE
THE COLLEGIUM - FORUM
& TELEVISION PROGRAM BERLIN
in association with
CULTURAL ZEPHYR e.V.
in cooperation with
Commissioner for Integration, District Tempelhof-Schöneberg,
Berlin
From May 7-10, 2009 Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre under the direction of Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith and Prof. Gayle McKinney Griffith, present the interdisciplinary and intercultural film/video festival Black International Cinema Berlin for the 24th year. For the first time, the festival will guest at the Rathaus Schöneberg (city hall) and be presented in cooperation with the Commissioner for Integration of the district Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin, Gabriele Gün Tank.
Under the theme "A COMPLEXION CHANGE - International & Intercultural Diplomacy”, films from Africa, the African Diaspora and films with an intercultural perspective are the focus.
Approximately 60 productions will be screened, among them cinematic works from Cape Verde, Benin, France, USA, Iran, India, Togo, Senegal, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, Colombia, Spain, Nicaragua, Switzerland and Madagascar. In addition, film discussions, performances and seminars will be conducted.
German
Commission for UNESCO, Bonn
Our festival
is supported as an ideal project by the German Commission for UNESCO, Bonn.
As a result we received the following letter of acknowledgement from Christine
M. Merkel, Head of the Division for Culture and Memory of the World.
"A COMPLEXION CHANGE
2009-2011 is an International Media Project with a very contemporary and innovative
approach. It aims at contributing to the strengthening of international understanding,
peace and friendship among peoples. It promotes intercultural dialogue in
the spirit of the ideals and aims of UNESCO.
The German Commission for UNESCO appreciates this initiative. We kindly ask
you to assist Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith and the Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre / Black International
Cinema Berlin / The Collegium – Forum & Television Program Berlin
& Cultural Zephyr e.V. as well as all other
co-organizers and project participants in realizing this project. We are convinced
that this idea can offer inspiring experience to many people in the region."
Railbookers
"Since
it was founded in 1986, the Black International Cinema festival in Berlin
has developed into one of the most highly regarded film events in Europe and
movie fans will have the chance to experience it for themselves between May
7th and 10th.
Produced and directed by the Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre, the extravaganza is
an interdisciplinary and intercultural celebration of the contribution made
by black actors and directors in the world of film.
The focus of the festival is to present works of a cultural, artistic and
political nature coinciding with the general social, economic and educational
interests of people from Africa.
Open to all filmmakers and visitors, the event provides a platform for the
impact of cinema from the African Diaspora and people with an interest in
intercultural relations.
The Fountainhead® organization is committed to fighting religious, ethnic and
gender persecution and seeks to battle discrimination through dialogue and
understanding.
By using art, theatre,
dance, music and seminars, the foundation believes that prejudice against
disadvantaged groups can be challenged and stronger links within society can
be forged.
Visitors will be treated to powerful and thought-provoking examples of cinema
from the past and present."
Mottos
"I
may not make it if I try, but I damn sure won´t
if I don´t..." - Oscar Brown Jr.
"Mankind will either find a way or make one." - C.P. Snow
"Whatever you do..., be cool!" - Joseph Louis Turner
"Yes, I can...!" - Sammy Davis Jr.
"Yes, We can...!" - Barack Obama
Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre/Black International
Cinema Berlin/
The Collegium – Forum & Television Program Berlin/Cultural
Zephyr e.V.
April 2009