Visiting Filmmakers Series Online: Black Lives Matter: Chico Colvard and Black Memorabilia
Monday, October 19, 2020 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
Online Location
Black Memorabilia explores the world of racist material, both antique and newly produced, that propagate demeaning representations of African Americans. From industrial China to the rural South to Brooklyn, the film shines a light on those who reproduce, consume and reclaim racially-charged items, from banks to Mammy kitchenware, confederate flags, Nazi insignia and other ephemera.
Black Memorabilia asks the provocative questions: When are objects immoral, and when is it right or wrong to possess them? Does historic value supersede offensiveness?
At times uncomfortable and often unexpected, Black Memorabilia is a thought-provoking, stimulating addition to our nation’s ongoing conversations about how we think and talk about race.
"Colvard’s camera does not judge or indict his subjects, nor does he unpack his own feelings about the memorabilia. His stated approach was to subvert any expectations that come with him being a black filmmaker handling such racist subject matter, suggesting that a white filmmaker wouldn’t be burdened with similar assumptions. “I resisted being the ‘angry black man’,” he said. “It’s not that I’m not angry. I am. But I thought this conversation could go further if I did something a little bit more unexpected.”" -- See more of Tambay Obenson's review at IndieWire here.
Chico Colvard is the founder of C-LineFilms and Assistant Professor of Cinema Studies at Massachusetts College of Art & Design. He is the former Founding Curator of the University of Massachusetts Boston Film Series, where he taught race, law and media related courses for 15 years. His award-winning feature, FAMILY AFFAIR, premiered in competition at Sundance and was the first film acquired by Oprah Winfrey for OWN.
His recent film, BLACK MEMORABILIA premiered at MoMA and aired on PBS’s Independent Lens. His work has streamed online and shown at festivals, colleges, universities and museums around the world. He is a Guggenheim Fellow, two-time Sundance Fellow, WGBH Filmmaker-in-Residence, Firelight Media Fellow & Mentor, and Flaherty Fellow. Chico is a frequent guest speaker, moderator, festival panelist and film industry juror. He has served as an advisor on dozens of features and shorts, including Oscar Nominated EDITH + EDDIE and Emmy Award winning DAWNLAND. He is currently a Producer on DISTURBING SCHOOLS (wt) and directing his third feature, THE CALL, which examines weaponized 911 calls in America.
Chico was an early Visiting Filmmakers Series guest, in 2010, with Family Affair.
See the trailer here:
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For more information:
Abbesi Akhamie aakhamie@gmu.edu, Production Coordinator, Film at Mason
Cynthia Fuchs cfuchs@gmu.edu, Director, Visiting Filmmakers Series at Mason; Interim Director, Film at Mason
