I Am The NU Black

One of my older films, Me and Mrs. Jones, has been featured on the currently watching section of website I Am: The Nu Black. The NuBlack is a site dedicated to highlighting youth of African descent (I believe the creator makes an understandable effort to highlight youth of African descent rather than African American, but I'll explain later) and their creative endeavors. Still, I should allow the creator to better explain.

October 2008, I decided to set myself a challenge for Black History Month in the UK. 30 days of posts featuring youth of African descent , the things that inspired them, positive images, videos, news articles, quotes etc.

I completed the challenge and decided to continue. My aim is to try and post things that are not necessarily ‘out there’, that are original, creative and that will hopefully inspire those after me (and hopefully those before me if they come across the site).

The name thenublack comes from the idea that my generation and those born to parents of the African diaspora have had  a path paved for them by their ascendants.

Although we may not have experienced first-hand the effects that many of those well known figures had on the world – I have hope we’re not only continuing to pave that path, but that we’re aspiring to be equally as great, as revolutionary and box-breaking as they were.

I had the privilege of speaking with the individual behind the site. It is one of the few times I've been able to get in contact with someone from a website easily and hold a good conversation. I'm always looking for avenues to expose my work and TheNuBlack definitely showed interest.

For that I am undeniably appreciative.

Looking back on my previous work is interesting. You tend not to look back frequently until someone gives you a reason. I believe one of the biggest things I noticed is the growth in technical skills since I made the film. Comparing Me and Mrs. Jones to Bottom of a Glass  definitely gives you an accurate idea. I consider the comparison a positive. As a filmmaker/photographer/artist/etc, the worst outcome I can find in my work is lack of progression. If growth isn't evident, then something is wrong

Also, let me finish explaining why I am glad TheNuBlack uses youth of African descent over African American. I believe a lot of people (especially in The United States) forget Black History Month is NOT African-American History Month. It is a month that encompasses all individuals who can trace their ancestry to African roots in some manner. I honestly believe this understanding is lost more-so in the states.

Let me clarify. It isn't due to a lack of appreciation. Black History Month has just become so narrow in its spectrum of highlighted individuals and groups many people forget there are Black people outside of the United States and Black history across the globe. Check out the site HERE

You can check out all of my short films, including Me and Mrs. Jones on QTL's short film page.

The Discoloration of Hollywood

If you're not already aware. This is Jake Gyllenhaal. He had the privilege of playing the role of "The Prince" in Prince of Persia. The movie is an adaption of the well-known game which holds the same name.

If you did not know who Jake Gyllenhaal was then you probably don't know who any of these younger actors are. From left to right you have Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, Nicola Peltz, & Jackson Rathbone.

Aside from Patel (who has a very notable filmography) the majority of the actors seen in this picture will be receiving their first major theatrical roles in a major film. This film is Avatar: The Last Airbender (not to be confused with James Cameroon's Avatar which has no familiar connections with this film except the name). Avatar is based off the highly successful cartoon show from Nickelodeon of the same name.

The Prince of Persia series and Avatar: The Last Airbender are awesome. These are two movies that should overlap the boundaries of epic. This is especially so for fans who knew about both of these franchises before their theatrical beginnings.

 This is where you could ask where I'm going with this post.

Take a little bit more time to look at both of the pictures. Now, let me explain a few things. The Prince of Persia game is based around Persian mytho (take out the time read it here). In a similar fashion, Avatar is a combination of Chinese, Indian, and Japanese culture along with heavy influences from Hinduism and Buddhism. You can read it here. Each of these two franchises pull from a very diverse, and rich culture of foreign influence. I also believe each team did a superb job with integrating an innovative idea with ethnic mytho & culture (when I say this I'm talking about the game & the cartoon show-Really, take out the time to read up on each of them).

Due to each franchise's heavy background in foreign influence the original characters were (of course) the ethnicity of their franchise's background.

The Prince from Prince of Persia was Persian. The characters from Avatar were varying Asian ethnicities. This would leave you to believe the actors cast in the prospective roles of each character would be of the specific ethnicity, but not in Hollywood. The five people pictured above only one is white (hopefully Dev's last name was enough indication). It was speculated that during the casting of Avatar caucasian actors were specifically requested over others.

You might want to say, "Well they did cast Dev right?" I would agree until I found out the role was given to Jesse McCartney first.

What I'm specifically trying to get across is this. Both of these movies had the potential to bring light to very viable actors who wouldn't get a chance in mainstream Hollywood movies. I honestly believe there are a bevy of non-white actors who have the potential to shine if given the chance.

Unfortunately, Hollywood seldom opens up its doors to minorities when it pertains to leading roles. Even worse, in an instance where the major roles could've (and should've) been given to capable actors of the ethnicity in the franchise universe, instead the major roles became white-washed.

Now, in the case of Jake Gyllenhaal the argument can be said the studio was looking for the best possible ticket turnout. JG will bring in the ladies so I can at least begrudgingly agree with this decision.

As for Avatar, none of the leading roles have any previous impressive filmography (save-and ironically-Dev Patel). M. Night Shyamalan had no reason whatsoever to disregard actors of foreign descent for the roles. It's unfortunate when the roles you'd expect to recieve (when you are barred from so many other roles because of your ethnicity) are even questionable at best. I can only begin to imagine the tremendous amounts of untapped talent across the industry that is never fully utilized since race is still a vengeful barrier.

I cannot confidently list names of minority lead actors or actresses who Hollywood is willing to give prominent roles. I could name a few African-American actors & actresses but I don't want to seem bias. I just cannot honestly think of any prominent lead actors & actresses outside of the usual ethnic ideals. This might be of my own ignorance. Hollywood is still in a statis period of acceptance of actors outside of the traditional venues.

This is a problem. This can be fixed, but not without honest passion for equality within the industry.