By Carl Kenney, Assistant Professor
Journalism and Media, UNC at Chapel Hill
Nationwide — Dante James is a a number of Emmy Award-winning unbiased filmmaker and educator. He has taught at Duke College and the College of Dayton. James received an Emmy for producing the PBS documentary sequence Slavery and the Making of America, narrated by Morgan Freeman, and has obtained two Emmys for his work at WETA. His documentary Harlem in Montmartre: A Paris Jazz Story received Finest Documentary on the Pan African Worldwide Movie Competition in Cannes, and his movie The Doll was acknowledged as Finest Dramatic Quick Movie on the Hollywood Black Movie Competition. He executive-produced the PBS sequence This Far by Religion for Blackside Movies and made movies for 2 of Blackside’s DuPont Columbia Silver Baton-winning sequence. In 2010, he was a visitor lecturer on the College of Cape City in South Africa.
1. Carl: What you in Liberation Theology?
Dante: I’ve all the time been dedicated to the liberation of Black individuals. My engagement with liberation theology started in 2002 as the chief producer for Blackside Movies, PBS sequence This Far By Religion, which briefly addressed Black Liberation Theology. I met Dr. James Cone, learn his works together with Dr. Gayraud Wilmore’s, and have become acquainted with Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright. Dr. Cone emphasised, “Any theology that’s detached to liberation is just not Christian theology.” This resonated with me.
Dr. Cone and I had a fantastic working relationship, and for years, I needed to create a movie solely on Black Liberation Theology. I began the venture with help from Dr. Cone and Dr. Wilmore in 2017. It paused after their deaths and through the COVID-19 pandemic, however I resumed work in 2022.
2. Carl: Please describe the movie.
Dante: First, I wish to share that Dr. Cone supported utilizing his e book title, God of the Oppressed, because the movie’s working title. Nonetheless, we’ve got expanded it to God of the Oppressed — Tales of Black Liberation. The logline is that we inform the story of Black American and Black South African Christians who view Christianity as a way for justice and liberation.
Extra particularly, it’s a function documentary that explores the historical past and modern significance of Black Liberation Theology. It highlights the scholarship and narratives of Dr. Cone, Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon, South African Cleric Allan Aubrey Boesak, Rev. Pauli Murray, Rev. Traci Blackmon, and others, together with lay Christians. Their tales are infused with spirituals, gospel, jazz, blues, poetry, artwork, and hip-hop as important storytelling parts. God of the Oppressed— Tales of Black Liberation explores the hyperlink between Black Liberation Theology and Black Womanist Theology, in the end defining the liberating relationships between God and the resilient Black group.
3. Carl: A lot of your movies have been for PBS. Is that this a PBS venture?
Dante: No, PBS tasks are constrained editorially by their funding construction and the politics of decision-makers. I’m not criticizing PBS, however my experiences have revealed the system’s limitations in exploring Black progressive, radical, or revolutionary narratives and interpretations. With my unbiased tasks, I can discover humanity by the lens of complicated Black experiences— “unfiltered.”
4. Carl: Discuss to me about gaining help from students, practitioners, and contributors in your tasks.
Dante: Help and steerage are important, and conducting thorough analysis is essential. This helps you ask considerate questions and present respect for the fabric. Being well-prepared is essential when talking with those that have devoted their lives to a topic.
Understanding scholarship’s influence on filmmaking is crucial, notably in growing story, character, and narrative construction. This was key to the Blackside storytelling method. I had the privilege of working with Blackside’s founder, Henry Hampton, and discussing filmmaking with pioneers like Mr. Gordon Parks and St. Clair Bourne. Respecting scholarship and the legacy of Black filmmaking is important for securing help and participation.
Working relationships are additionally essential. Luckily, we’ve got Kara Mathis, an distinctive researcher, affiliate producer, and member of the Blackside household. She is going to lead our exploration of Black Womanist Theology and the scholarship of Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dr. Renita Weems, Dr. Emily Townes, and different Black ladies students and activists.
5. Carl: Discuss to me about monetary help for God of the Oppressed.
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Dante: Throughout America, we’re witnessing an increase in racial tensions and an rising affect of Christian nationalism inside our political panorama. Proper-wing white Christians are shaping insurance policies that undermine Black liberation, additional difficult us to unite and resist.
Our grant proposals to main foundations haven’t obtained help. Liberation Theology challenges present energy constructions. Consequently, mainstream foundations and PBS are reluctant to fund tasks that achieve this. Due to this fact, we should put money into our narratives and proceed pursuing help from progressive entities. Rev. Graylan Hagler, pastor emeritus of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C., and Rev. William Lamar, pastor of Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C., are rallying help for the venture.
Carl: Do you’ve any closing feedback?
Dante: The movie will share the tales of historic and modern non secular leaders, icons, and on a regular basis Black Christians keen to struggle for liberation. The venture seeks help from all these entities, notably Black ladies, to help our exploration of Black Womanist Theology. To make a tax-deductible donation to God of the Oppressed—Tales of Black Liberation, please go to https://rebrand.ly/gotodocfilm
Carl: Thanks, Dante—greatest needs for a fantastic movie.
Dante: Thanks in your curiosity within the venture. Religion has sustained Black individuals for hundreds of years. I’ve religion that this venture will garner large help.
You’ll want to comply with the movie on Facebook and go to the official web site at https://blackpearlmw.com/Oppressed/
