On Monday, February 3rd, to Thursday, February 6th, Solano Community College hosted a Film Screening Week from 10 am to 2 pm in the back half of the cafeteria. Students enjoyed popcorn, drinks, and snacks as they watched films commenting on the importance of Black History.
The first film played was “All By Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story.” This movie shows the life and career of talented singer and actress Eartha Kitt. The deeply moving movie portrayed Kitt as a strong individual, a powerful message that is ever so important today. The movie earns a 7.5 out of 10 on IMDB, with a run time of 1 hour and 27 minutes.
Next, “Jazz on a Summer’s Day,” directed by Aram Avakian and Bert Stern, is a concert documentary capturing the amazing performances of famous jazz musicians in the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. Many artists such as Louis Armstrong, Anita O’Day, and Mahalia Jackson perform while visuals of beaches and the performers dance across the screen. This film received a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, becoming a technically perfect movie.
Following that, Solano Community College showed “All Power to the People,” directed by Lee Lew-Lee. This Documentary depicts the important history of the Black Panther Party. The movie brings light to the movements impact on the nation, as well as the struggle African Americans went through. This film unfolds through a series of interviews and archival footage of the Black Panther Party in its prime. All Power to the People holds an 8.1/10 on IMDB and has won many awards over the years, such as the Critics Award, Southern Film Festival Memphis Black Writers Conference in 1999, and the Best Historical Documentary, National Black Programming Consortium in 1998.
“I Am Not Your Negro” directed by Raoul Peck, is another documentary film based on James Baldwin’s manuscript. Famous Actor Samuel L. Jackson narrates the story while examining the racist history of the United States. The film also depicts world-renowned civil rights leaders, such as Malcolm X, Medgar Eve, and Martin Luther King Jr, through Baldwin’s eyes. The movie won the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary in 2016 and currently holds a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Finally shown was “Do The Right Thing,” directed by Spike Lee. This drama (drama/comedy) explores the racial tension between Italian-American owners of a pizzeria and African-American residents of Brooklyn. This movie also has critically acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson and debuts a young Martin Lawerence and Rosie Perez. Critics claim “Do the Right Thing” to be the 24th Greatest Movie of All Time in 2022, despite originally being aired in 1989. The film’s message explores the idea that doing the right thing is to act in a moral and ethical way, especially in the face of difficulty.
This film screening week was hosted by the ASSC, which continues to hold events around campus, so keep your eyes peeled for any events coming up.
