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| Starz InBlack Celebrates Black History Month Starz InBlack celebrates Black History Month with a diverse slate of world premieres, originals, documentaries and music, every night at 8 p.m. only on Starz InBlack. Special features during February include the world premiere of the soulful blues concert "Blues Divas" with interviews by Morgan Freeman, the film, "In My Country" starring Samuel L. Jackson and much more. On Sunday, February 5, Starz InBlack presents the world premiere of the soulful blues concert "Blues Divas, " featuring musical performances from eight gifted blues vocalists: Deborah Coleman, Mavis Staples, Irma Thomas, Bettye Lavette, Odetta, Ann Peebles, Denise LaSalle and Renee Austin. In between their stirring performances, which feature a blend of blues, soul, folk and gospel music, viewers are treated to informal chats with the divas and Oscar(R) winning actor and blues lover Morgan Freeman, who enjoys reminiscing about their early beginnings. Filmed over a three-day weekend at Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, "Blues Divas" is directed by noted music documentarian Robert Mugge ("Deep Blues, " Last of the Mississippi Jukes). "Blues Divas" is a Starz InBlack original documentary. Also making its world television premiere on Starz InBlack on Saturday, February 11, is "In My Country" starring Samuel L. Jackson and Juliette Binoche. Langston Whitfield (Jackson) is a Washington Post journalist who travels on assignment to South Africa to cover the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings. Also covering the hearings, which serve as a forum for those accused of murder and torture to be confronted by their victims, is Anna Malan (Binoche). Through their stories about courage, compassion and the redeeming power of love the two journalists, inspire both the world and themselves. The film was directed by Academy Award(R) nominee John Boorman. Another featured presentation is "Lightning in a Bottle" on Friday, February 10. Hosted by two-time Grammy Award(R) winner India.Arie, "Lightning in a Bottle" is a remarkable concert film that presents live performances from blues legends who gathered at Radio City Music Hall for an unprecedented and thrilling music event. India.Arie also performs in the film, along with legendary performers from rock, jazz, rap and the blues, including Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Chris Thomas King, Macy Gray, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Natalie Cole, Chuck D and others. Starz InBlack will also present its original documentary "UNSTOPPABLE: A Conversation with Melvin Van Peebles, Gordon Parks and Ossie Davis" on Tuesday, February 28. "UNSTOPPABLE: A Conversation with Melvin Van Peebles, Gordon Parks and Ossie Davis" provides a candid and revealing look at the first African Americans to direct Hollywood features -- Melvin Van Peebles ("Sweet Sweetbacks' Baadasssss Song, " "Classified X"), Gordon Parks ("The Learning Tree, " "Shaft") and Ossie Davis ("Cotton Comes to Harlem"). Also featured in the documentary are testimonials from actor/writer/director Reginald Hudlin, director Julie Dash, actress/director Ruby Dee, writer/filmmaker Nelson George, and actor/director Mario Van Peebles who comment on the trio's influence on their careers, our culture and society. Producer Warrington Hudlin ("House Party, " "Boomerang, " "Bebe's Kids"), who is also president of the Black Filmmaker Foundation, moderates the conversation. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |