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FREE Film Screenings in St Nicholas Park, Morningside Park, Jackie Robinson Park & Marcus Garvey Park

Posted June 26, 2015

REEL HARLEM

The Historic Harlem Parks Film Festival • July–August 2015
All films begin at sundown, preceded by music at 6:30 p.m. Please bring your own lawn chair.

• HALF OF A YELLOW SUN (Biyi Bandele, Nigeria/U.K., 2013, 113 min.)

Presented by ImageNation Cinema Foundation in association with Panla
A Taste of Africa Event Series and Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival

Monday, July 6, 2015
Marcus Garvey Park // 122nd St. and Mt. Morris Park West*

Starring Thandie Newton, Chiwtel Ejiofor and Anika Noni Rose,
this film takes two privileged Nigerian sisters and their lovers
on a journey through the 1960s Biafran war. It is a powerful,
intensely emotional story that can touch everyone’s heart.

Music: Les Nubians

• THE AMAZING NINA SIMONE (Jeff L. Lieberman, U.S., 2015, 110 min.)

Presented by Maysles Cinema and African Film Festival, Inc. Introduced
by director Jeff L. Lieberman and Sam Waymon, Nina Simone’s brother

Sunday, July 12, 2015
Jackie Robinson Park // 148th St. and Bradhurst Ave.**

Get to know the real Nina Simone through more than 50 intimate
interviews with those who best knew her artistry and intentions.
Follow Nina’s journey from her upbringing in segregated North
Carolina, to the South of France, where she finally found freedom.

Music: High Priestess of Soul Nina Simone with DJ Reborn

• HUSTLERS CONVENTION (Mike Todd, U.K., 2015, 91 min.)

Presented by Maysles Cinema, the National Black Programming Consortium
and the People’s Film Festival

Sunday, July 19, 2015
St. Nicholas Park // 135th St. Plaza and St. Nicholas Ave.**

Although largely unknown, the 1973 album Hustlers Convention
is regarded as a cornerstone in the evolution of hip hop. This
film explores the life and times of its creator, Lightnin’ Rod
(a.k.a. Jalal Nuriddin of The Last Poets), and documents how his
street rhyming style melded with the Black Power politics of the
post-Malcolm X era, to create the art of rap as we know it today.

Music: Godfathers of Rap with DJ Chuck Chillout

• ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS

(D.A. Pennebaker, U.S., 1973, 90 min)

Presented by Maysles Cinema. Introduced by D.A. Pennebaker

Monday, July 27, 2015
Morningside Park // 113th St. Plaza and Morningside Dr.**

Framed by a smattering of behind-the-scenes footage, this film
focuses on David Bowie’s final, electrifying performance as Ziggy
Stardust in 1973 at London’s Hammersmith Odeon Theater.

Music: Night of 1,000 Bowies Dance Party and Look-A-Like
Contest with DJ Cosmo Baker

• MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN

(Alex Gibney, U.S., 2014, 98 min.)

ImageNation Cinema Foundation and Injoy Enterprises in association with
Panla A Taste of Africa Event Series

Sunday, August 2, 2015
Marcus Garvey Park // 122nd St. and Mt. Morris Park West***

Hailed as the definitive documentary on James Brown, this film
offers an in-depth look at the life of the legendary rhythm and
blues musician from his early years in South Carolina, to his
efforts during the Civil Rights movement.

Music: A Soul Train Tribute to James Brown
with DJ Esenxce and Chris Rob & Friends

* Rain location: RAW SPACE Culture Gallery, 2031 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.,
imagenation.us

**Rain location: Maysles Cinema, 343 Lenox Ave., 212.537.6843, maysles.org

***For rain location, call 212.340.1874 or visit imagenation.us


For Additional Information, contact:



Arnyce Foster-Hernandez
Administrator
Historic Harlem Parks

T 212.408.0249
F 212.408.0242
E Arnyce.Foster@parks.nyc.gov

NYC Parks
Arsenal West
24 West 61st Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10023
nyc.gov/parks