The Montreal International Black Film Festival returns with the Quebec premiere of Harriett, an evening with members of “The Central Park Five,” and more
The Montreal International Black Film Festival returns for its 15th edition this month, with over 90 films from 25 countries, a series of talks, and much more.
The fest opens with the Quebec premiere of the Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet on September 24 (following its recent world premiere at TIFF), and includes tributes and talks with the likes of Kevin Richardson and Yusef Salaam of “The Central Park Five,” the group of young men wrongly imprisoned for rape in New York for years, Cesar-winning Filmmaker Euzhan Palcy (A Dry White Season) and Québécois filmmaker Jean-Claude Lord (Éclair au Chocolat), and much more.
We’ve selected some highlights from this year’s edition below. The Montreal International Black Film Festival runs from September 24 – 29. For tickets and more information visit the official festival site.
Harriet screening – September 24 – Imperial Theatre – 7:00 pm
Following its world premiere at TIFF earlier this month, director Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou, Talk To Me) tackles the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, portrayed here by Cynthia Erivo, who basically stole every scene she was in during the recent Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale. The film will be preceded by tributes to Cesar-winning filmmaker Euzhan Palcy and Quebécois filmmaker Jean-Claude Lord.
An intimate evening with Kevin Richardson and Yusef Salaam of “The Central Park Five” – September 24 – Imperial Theatre – 7:00 pm
After being falsely convicted of rape in a hugely controversial case in 1989, the five young men dubbed as “The Central Park Five” spent a number of years behind bars before their convictions were finally overturned (the case was the basis for Ava Duvernay’s recent Emmy-nominated Netflix series When They See Us). Kevin Richardson and Yusef Salaam from “The Central Park Five” will participate in a discussion moderated by MIBFF President & Founder Fabienne Colas, and will also receive the Social Impact Award.
An intimate evening with Isaach De Bankolé – September 28 – Imperial Theatre – 7:00 pm
Known for his breakout role in 1986’s Black Mic Mac, along with performances in How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired and Black Panther, the César award-winning actor will receive the festival’s Career Achievement Award, and participate in a discussion also moderated by Fabienne Colas.
An intimate evening with Jean-Claude Lord – September 29 – Imperial Theatre – 7:00 pm
The long-running Québécois filmmaker might be best known for helming cult hits like Visiting Hours (featuring William Shatner and Michael Ironside), but the MIBFF will be honouring Lord for his support of Black actors in films like Lance et compte, and the 80s TV series Jasmine.
One Child Left Behind: The Untold Atlanta Cheating Scandal – September 25 – Inis – 7:00 pm
Emmy-nominated producer Jodi Gomes tackles the complex Atlanta cheating scandal, the massive 2009 investigation into Atlanta teachers cheating on tests that eventually saw a number of them indicted on RICO charges, the stiff penalties almost exclusively used in mafia and drug cases. Featuring interviews with a number of the teachers (serving 30-year sentences), the film promises a hard look at the often unjust way race and education intersect in the U.S.
Inna De Yard: The Soul Of Jamaica – Cinéma du Parc – September 27 – 9:00 pm
This documentary focuses on Jamaican reggae supergroup Inna De Yard (featuring legendary reggae pioneers Ken Boothe, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I, and Cedric Myton), and also serves as a history and tribute to the enduring legacy of traditional reggae.
Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story screening – September 29 – Cinéma du Musée – 7:00 pm
Based on the true events of a mother in South Africa who killed her drug-addled 20-year-old son, this intense story is the closing film for this year’s edition.
The Montreal International Black Film Festival runs from September 24 – 29. For tickets and more information visit the official festival site.
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