SLIFF’s black history lesson

[Blue_Tires]

Film festival offers time capsule of African-American experiences

By Kenya Vaughn of the St. Louis American

For many, seeing historical illustrations of the African-American experience on film – whether it’s documentary or fiction – evokes a range of emotions.

There is the spirit of hope and possibility that comes with watching ancestors of the diaspora operating against seemingly insurmountable odds and circumstances, from fighting for freedom to the never-ending battle for equality.

And as we see young people unite to change the face of a nation for what would become the Civil Rights Movement – peacefully protesting for the liberties often taken for granted today – we are provoked to at least toy with the idea of taking action to make a difference for the advancement of black people.

Through The Stella Artois 19th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival (Nov. 11–21), Cinema St. Louis offers chronological samples of black people in America and beyond, from being enslaved to attempting to just be in a world that refused to acknowledge them as rightful sons and daughters of America. Here are a few to see.

http://www.stlamerican.com/articles/2010/11/04/entertainment/living_it/livingit02.txt