MUTA ALI'S "LIFE'S ESSENTIALS WITH RUBY DEE"

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Raise Your Voice: The 9th annual African American Film Festival presented by the Southampton African American Museum a Stunning Success

Photos By: James Edstrom

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Muta Ali

Jean Shafiroff And Copley Kemp

Jean Shafiroff With Muta Ali

Brian And Roxanne Rapelyea

Nigel Noble With Festival Award Winner Adaeze Elechi

Producer NJ Frank

Raise Your Voice: The 9th annual African American Film Festival presented by the Southampton African American Museum opened with the shot heard round the country - the brutal murder of a young black man by San Francisco Transit Police in the award winning film Fruitvale Station and joyously wrapped with a glorious salute from a grandson to his grandparents, Muta’ Ali’s Life’s Essentials with Ruby Dee in which a young filmmaker, Muta’ Ali interviews his grandmother the legendary actor and social activist about her life, longtime marriage to his grandfather the inimitable Ossie Davis and their shared commitment to civil rights and spoke with dozens of their colleagues, co-stars and colleagues for a complete look at a duo whose life choices engendered extraordinary social change.

Southampton African American Museum Executive Director Brenda Simmons and Museum Board Member, Oscar winning director Nigel Noble put together a stellar roster of films the encouraged all to “Raise Your Voice”.

Over four days, audiences from as far away as Connecticut and Baltimore were treated to a selection of compelling films: The Trials of Mohammed Ali that chronicled the struggles of an internationally famed athlete to maintain his faith in troubled time; the story of the creation of one of the world's most famous contemporary operas to overcome deep-seated prejudice as exemplified by Porgy and Bess : An American Voice directed by Oscar winning director Nigel Noble; a black waiter's life of quiet desperation working in a whites only restaurant artfully told in Booker's Place: A Mississippi Story; a young heiress of mixed race coming to terms with life's limitations in 19th century England, in Belle; Anne Makepeace's look at a Massachusetts Native American tribe's efforts to hold onto their heritage in a fast paced 21st century in We Still Live Here -(Âs Nutayuneân) each of the films speaks eloquently to the complexity of issues facing not only the African American community but all minorities or Luke Meyer’s; Showtime is a coming of age story about two boys in their senior year of high school who earn money by dancing on subways - one of them likes a girl and their friendship is tested as a result; Unlocking the Truth which chronicles the meteoric rise of a young African American metal band from Brooklyn, New York, who write and create their own lyrics and music. The founding band members are Malcolm Brickhouse (electric guitar) and Jarad Dawkins (drums) and This Time a film that deals with the realities that many people have to face when a loved one returns home from war and everything has changed.

In addition to the films to be screened, there will be An Evening of Spoken Word and Jazz highlighted by performances by Grammy winning hip-hop artist J. Ivy and soulful jazz stylings by Charles Certain and his Certain Moves Jazz Band.

Just weeks ago Ruby Dee, who passed away at home in June at the age of 91, was memorialized in a star-studded tribute at the world famed Riverside Cathedral. Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul & Mary sang; Alicia Keyes performed the stirring anthem “Superwoman”; poet Sonia Sanchez reminisced and stars like Phyllicia Rashad,

S. Epatha Merkerson, Tyne Daly, Pauletta Washington and Essence Magazine Editor Emerita Susan Taylor, Courtney Vance, Glynn Turman among others shared fond remembrances to an overflowing crowd in the magnificent church. Former Mayor David Dinkins read a heartfelt letter from President & Mrs. Obama.

But truly the memorial that hopefully all will get to see is Muta’ Ali’s loving tribute to the grandparents who helped shaped his life and those around them including Harry Belafonte, Alan Alda, Billy Taylor, Cicely Tyson, Angela Bassett and so many more.

All the events benefited the Southampton African American Museum (SAAM) which will begin construction soon. The seed of the Southampton African American Museum to share the rich history of African Americans throughout the East End and the world was planted in 2005. On December 14, 2010 the Village Historic Preservation Board approved the former 1940’s “gathering place” for African American located at 245 North Sea Rd Southampton formerly known as “The Barbershop” and currently the future home of the Southampton African American Museum, is the first African-American historic landmark in the Village of Southampton.

Its mission is to promote an understanding and appreciation of African American culture by creating programs that will preserve the past, encourage learning and enhance the life of the community. SAAM will research and collect local history, produce media events, create exhibits and community celebrations. Over the years many hurdles have been conquered and great programs are being presented in collaborations with many local agencies and establishments.

SAAM will TREASURE the past, TEND to the present and TRANSFORM the future.

Helping to raise awareness for the Festival is a growing group of prominent East Enders who have joined the Host Committee as sponsors including Jean & Martin Shafiroff, Alicia & Dan Bythewood, Congressman Tim Bishop and Kathy Bishop, NYS Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr., Phil Solages, Nancy Licata, Florence Anthony, Sara Herbert Galloway & Barry Klarberg, Tom Edmonds, Tia Walker, Brenda Simmons, Nigel Noble, Cheryl Buck, Nancy Stevens-Smith, Nina Beaty, Charles Certain, Letcher Johnson, Judge Gabrielle Kirk McDonald, Siamak Samii and Pamela Willoughby.