Ebony Magazine kicked off its 2nd Annual Hollywood In Harlem Film Festival with the screening of “Proud” at the legendary Apollo Theater. Beginning August 2, the festival runs through August 6. “Proud” is the true story of the only African-American crew to take a Navy warship into combat in World War II. It begged the question why crew members of the USS Mason were treated with respect and adulation in Ireland during the war, yet treated like animals in their own homeland, the country they were fighting to protect.
Writer/director Mary Pat Kelly came upon the story while doing research about American soldiers in Ireland during World War II for a documentary on Ireland. “Proud” stars Ossie Davis, Darnell Williams, Denise Nicholas, Reggie Austin, Eric LaRay Harvey, Rashad Haughton, Vernel Bagneris, Marcus Chait, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Albert Jones, Kidada Jones, Stephen Rea, and Aiden Quinn.
At this writing, there is no release date for this film. However, do put it on your must see list when it comes to your town. Prior to the screening of “Proud,” there was a touching tribute to Ossie Davis. Not only were there members of Davis’ family present for the reception and screening, but the real life heroes the film is based upon. Also in attendance was Tuskegee airmen and politicians.
Real film footage is shown of the present day USS Mason at the end of the movie featuring Bill Clinton and Tommy Hilfiger. Hilfiger's production company THEntertainment produced the film. Hilfiger, who spoke at the Ossie Davis tribute, reiterated, “The rumors are not true.” The audience being very aware of what that rumors are roared with laughter. He went on to say, “Oprah even said I was not on her show.” This is the first film produced for Tommy Hilfiger's THEntertainment production company.
Other films shown throughout the week at the Magic Johnson Theater and the Schomburg Center are “Underclassman,” “On the One,” “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” the documentary “Moon Over Sudan” (including a panel discussion) and a screening of “Stormy Weather,” which is part of the Senior Day observation during Harlem Week. Family Day, August 6th, there is a panel discussion on “Growing Up as a Kid Actor in Hollywood,” that includes a screening of “That’s So Raven” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.”
"The Dukes of Hazzard’s'" Bill Gerber admitted there were no Blacks in the original TV series the film is based on and wanted to make the film inclusive. The Confederate symbol becomes one of the sore jokes in the film.
"Debate as to whether the Confederate flag should fly in state houses continue," he says. “I don't think it should but the debate is not gonna be settled in 'The Dukes of Hazzard' movie.’” In a scene with the Confederate symbol, Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville have mistakenly been covered with a blast of black smoke and unexpectedly find themselves in an African American neighborhood. Scott was a little uneasy about that scene:
"That was an awkward scene 'cause I actually didn't know if it was going work. I was like, it might be racist. Do you think it was?” he asks The Film Strip. “It looked like we have black face on but when I watched it, the scene actually worked. It did exactly what it should do."
Referring to scene Gerber says, "Originally it written with a bunch of African American students but it was a little soft and I didn’t feel like there was a threat in any way. I just thought it would be funny to have imagined the original Dukes driving around an African American neighborhood with that thing and then of course we thought. ‘oh why don't we put them in black face,’ you know, after we blew the coal up at 'em and just really go for it."
Jessica Simpson was among a bunch of notables, including Britney Spears, who wanted to wear the Daisy Dukes. So why did this type of lowbrow, southern humor attract her? "I really wanted to do a movie," she tells The Film Strip. "It was the perfect time for me to do a movie and I thought playing up the whole southern sexy thing would be great. And it would (also indicate) a show of strength, because a lot of people haven’t really seen that from me. They see my ditzy side and my fun and dorky side, my obsession with clothes and all those things that are a part of me. But they haven’t seen a lot of strength as a woman, and I thought that Daisy Duke would be a great way to show it."
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EBONY Presents Hollywood in Harlem is sponsored by The Walt Disney Company, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, News Corporation and Moet Hennessey USA.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, Aug. 2 - World Premiere "Proud"
Apollo Theater
253 West 125th Street
Harlem, New York
Sponsored by Cadillac
5:30 pm VIP Reception
7:00 pm Tributes to Ossie Davis
8:00 pm Film Screening
Wednesday, Aug. 3 - World Premiere "On the One "
Magic Johnson Theatre
300 West 125th Street
Harlem, New York
Sponsored by Cadillac
6:30 pm Doors open
7:00 pm Film Screening
Thursday, Aug. 4 - World Premiere "Moon Over Sudan"
Schomburg Center
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
Harlem, New York
Sponsored by Moet Hennessy USA
6:00 pm Reception
6:45 pm Panel discussion
7:30 pm Film Screening
Friday, Aug. 5 - Senior Day - "Stormy Weather"
Schomburg Center
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
Harlem, New York
Sponsored by The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce
11:00 am Introduction
12:00 pm Film Screening
Friday, Aug. 5 - "Diary of a Mad Black Woman"
Schomburg Center
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
Harlem, New York
Sponsored by Cadillac
6:00 pm Reception
6:45 pm Panel discussion
7:30 pm Film Screening
Saturday, Aug. 6 - Family Day
Schomburg Center
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
Harlem, New York
Sponsored by the Disney Channel
12:00 pm Panel discussion
1:00 pm Screening of "That's So Raven" and "The Suite Life of Zach & Cody"
2:00 pm Meet and greet
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