It’s In NY #3
Dynamic People Doing It In NY
The overly chilled AMC Movie theater on 34th Street played host to the UrbanWorld/Vibe Film Festival from June 21st -25th. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to sit around all day and watch every movie I wanted, but I tried. Film festivals are fun because of the dynamic people you meet. From the filmmakers to the movie goers, good movies bring interesting people together. And meeting dynamic people is rewarding because you learn that your dreams are actually possible.
Dr. Rameck Hunt, Dr. Sampson Davis, Dr. George Jenkins
Movie: The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream
The Pact chronicles the story three young black men who survived the mean streets of the city rapper Redman’s affectionately labeled Brick City a.ka. Newark, New Jersey to become successful doctors. Today, Dr. Rameck Hunt, Dr. Sampson Davis, Dr. George Jenkins refused to stop fighting for the youth of Newark. “ Ahhh, I heard it all before you say” Wrong! This story is inspiring without being cheesy. My only complaint about the documentary is that there wasn’t enough time to tell you more about their lives.
It’s In NY: How did your community accept you being one of a select few to get an education?
Dr. Rameck: “I could no longer do things that I did when I was Younger, and because I was a real person, they respected me. I am tired of seeing all of my young brothers and sisters dying on the street when I’m riding up and down the street in Newark.”
It’s In NY: How do you deal with the responsibility of being the first person in your family to attend college and become successful?
Dr. Rameck: “It is tough, my father is really sick right now and I’m a physician . . .People needing financial support, just everything, so it is tough. But, they say to much is given much is expected. ” “I’m glad I’ve got Sam and George because we are able to lean on each other as well when the going gets rough.”
Dr. Sampson: “Well unfortunately from our community it’s not uncommon. A lot of us from my community we are pioneers in education. We are the first one’s to graduate from high school, to go one and graduate college. Some of the questions that I had about college like how to I pay for my tuition, how do I prepare for my classes, how do I study, [etc].. . . My parents couldn’t answer. I felt stranded, I felt like I was on an island sometimes. It was our pact that help sort of ease that blow. I have set the bar to make education the norm in my family.”
For more on the 3 Doctors, read The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream and We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Let to Success
Ava DuVernay, The DuVernay Agency
Dauod Abeid and Dahkil Hausif of Sunshowa Productions
Short Films: Saturday Night Life, Eye Jammy
I hate it when short films are so good, but so short. Two short films were guilty of this: Saturday Night Life and Eye Jammy, which both received thunderous applauds upon their conclusion. In both shorts, as soon as each character is introduced, you know them. Saturday Night Life, directed by Hollywood publicist Ava DuVernay of the DuVernay Agency was able to capture the plight and power of a single mother in 12 minutes. The short starred Melissa DeSousa “the hilariously annoying Shelby from The Best Man”, three adorable children, and a handsome admirer who enjoy a special night out on the town.
Uptown makes it, Brooklyn takes it . . . to another level. Eye Jammy is a snap shot of “a block” in Brownsville, Brooklyn with a refreshingly real comedic energy. Who knew three friends, the fine Son 2 (Rahkman Ibrahiem), Son 3, and Son 4, interrogating a fourth friend, Main Son (Booker Washington) about the cause of his black eye could leave you cracking up. Syracuse University graduates Dauod Abeid and Dahkil Hausif, who formed Sunshowah Productions, wrote and directed the short filmed in their neighborhood. Dauod is also one of the owners and designers of the clothing line coup d‘ etat which features “Vote for Huey” shirts on cdtbk.com.
Kazi a.k.a. Chris Rolle, founder of The Hip-Hop Project
Movie: Word. Life.: The Hip-Hop Project
It’s In NY: How did you become involved in this venture?
Kazi: “The Hip-Hop Project is a project that I crafted. My vision was to empower young people in a art form that they loved,” Kazi, founder of The Hip-Hop Project, told ItsInNY. Word.Life: The Hip-Hop Project shows us how hip-hop can save the lives.
The first album HHP Vol. I: Are You Feelin’ Me? can be ordered at (Art Start) http://www.shihansback.com/Lyrics.html
http://www.ItsInNY.com with Stephanie Taylor
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By Stephanie Taylor on 7/3/2006
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The 2-Way
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Crusade galleries
posted by: Bitti1 on 07/3/2006 at 11:29 am
Urbanworld was good this year. better than last year. I saw the short with Shelby too. She is fine as hell still. She need to work more. I saw the movie on the front of another movie Dirty Laundry. It was very funny with dude from Soulfood and now he’s on Prison Break. I forget his name. Anywayz, they both were good flix.
posted by: jimmy on 07/3/2006 at 11:29 am
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posted by: Naima Mohamed on 07/3/2006 at 11:29 am
I am originally from Kenya currently living in SLC Utah attending U of U. “The Pact” is one of my assigned reading in my health science class. I am sooo proud of you guys!!! like they said “Never give up in life”…i was tearing while reading the pact. i personally believe the pact is very motivational book that has already made a huge impact in my life and others.and it has shown me that, i can do anything if i can make the right choices.again, am so proud of yo’ll.