In 2014 trans woman Jennifer Laude was brutally murdered in the Philippines by an American serviceman. What would have played as a typical murder in the United States became an international incident, opening up discussion about U.S. involvement in the…
RBG Movie Review: An Icon is Given a Well Deserved Spotlight
In the midst of an era that’s defined by its bitter divisiveness and smoldering hostility, people are left searching for even the slightest glimmer of hope in the darkness. For many, that hope comes in the form of U.S. Supreme…
Grace Jones Bloodlight and Bami Movie Review: Bold yet blah
There’s a moment at the beginning of Sophie Fiennes’ documentary, Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, where an adoring fan asks Jones if she’d ever do another movie. She smoothly answers, “My own.” It’s a loaded phrase because if Bloodlight and…
Interview: Sam Pollard
Race has always been a hot-button issue, but in these times where it’s at the forefront of our country it’s best to go back to the past. Actor and musician Sammy Davis, Jr. was one of the first black entertainers…
AFI Movie Review – Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me
After last year’s comprehensive documentary about O.J. Simpson, the time is now to look at the threshold between being a person of color and a celebrity of color. No person exemplifies those battling dichotomies better than Rat Packer Sammy Davis,…
Interview: Dianne Griffin and Erica Jordan
Painted Nails is a documentary that shines a light on the health problems and harsh work conditions in the nail salon industry. The documentary follows the life of Vietnamese immigrant salon owner, Van Hoang, who, for years, has experienced first…