Editor’s note: Former IndieWire staffer and Shadow and Act founder Tambay Obenson is launching Akoroko, a new platform devoted to African film and television; we’re happy to give him our platform to make his case.
For a century, “cinema” has been most often used in reference to an industry that almost entirely excludes the African experience. I want to change that with Akoroko, a new platform that will bridge African film and television industries with the West with consistent, robust, and candid coverage that’s local yet globally accessible. It will include criticism, analysis, consultation, cataloging, curated film streaming, and education.
An October 2021 Unesco report noted that the African film industry generates 5 billion in annual revenue, with the potential for 20 billion. Global appetite for African film and television programming is unknown because the industry continues to be “structurally underfunded, underdeveloped, and undervalued.”
Meanwhile, on the continent with the world’s youngest population,...
For a century, “cinema” has been most often used in reference to an industry that almost entirely excludes the African experience. I want to change that with Akoroko, a new platform that will bridge African film and television industries with the West with consistent, robust, and candid coverage that’s local yet globally accessible. It will include criticism, analysis, consultation, cataloging, curated film streaming, and education.
An October 2021 Unesco report noted that the African film industry generates 5 billion in annual revenue, with the potential for 20 billion. Global appetite for African film and television programming is unknown because the industry continues to be “structurally underfunded, underdeveloped, and undervalued.”
Meanwhile, on the continent with the world’s youngest population,...
- 9/15/2022
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
This year’s Disney Legends panel felt different than it did three years ago, when “Iron Man” himself, Tony Stark, admitted to smoking pot at Disneyland. With three years removed from the event due to Covid, and the awareness that several prominent actors were being given Disney Legend status, the air felt charged for anything.
And after several happy speeches from the likes of “Frozen” actresses Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell, and inspirational moments like “Black-ish” actress Tracee Ellis Ross discussing the significance of her ABC series, the final Legend was met with utter appreciation and reverence. The late Chadwick Boseman was honored with the award, and his brother Derrick sought to remind the audience that the honor of Disney Legend status went deeper than anyone could have expected. The “Black Panther” star was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2016 and died in 2020 at the age of 43.
After announcing...
And after several happy speeches from the likes of “Frozen” actresses Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell, and inspirational moments like “Black-ish” actress Tracee Ellis Ross discussing the significance of her ABC series, the final Legend was met with utter appreciation and reverence. The late Chadwick Boseman was honored with the award, and his brother Derrick sought to remind the audience that the honor of Disney Legend status went deeper than anyone could have expected. The “Black Panther” star was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2016 and died in 2020 at the age of 43.
After announcing...
- 9/9/2022
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Mischa Webley had already been thinking about Chadwick Boseman.
Those social media reminders kept popping up this summer on Webley’s timeline to remind the filmmaker what he was doing exactly 10 years ago — making his directorial debut on the indie The Kill Hole. The memories stirred up a lot of love for the craft following a brief hiatus from filmmaking and caused him to stop and consider Boseman who was then a young actor Webley was convinced would go on to great things. And he did.
Boseman played icons like Thurgood Marshall, James Brown and Jackie Robinson before landing the ... ...
Those social media reminders kept popping up this summer on Webley’s timeline to remind the filmmaker what he was doing exactly 10 years ago — making his directorial debut on the indie The Kill Hole. The memories stirred up a lot of love for the craft following a brief hiatus from filmmaking and caused him to stop and consider Boseman who was then a young actor Webley was convinced would go on to great things. And he did.
Boseman played icons like Thurgood Marshall, James Brown and Jackie Robinson before landing the ... ...
Mischa Webley had already been thinking about Chadwick Boseman.
Those social media reminders kept popping up this summer on Webley’s timeline to remind the filmmaker what he was doing exactly 10 years ago — making his directorial debut on the indie The Kill Hole. The memories stirred up a lot of love for the craft following a brief hiatus from filmmaking and caused him to stop and consider Boseman who was then a young actor Webley was convinced would go on to great things. And he did.
Boseman played icons like Thurgood Marshall, James Brown and Jackie Robinson before landing the ...
Those social media reminders kept popping up this summer on Webley’s timeline to remind the filmmaker what he was doing exactly 10 years ago — making his directorial debut on the indie The Kill Hole. The memories stirred up a lot of love for the craft following a brief hiatus from filmmaking and caused him to stop and consider Boseman who was then a young actor Webley was convinced would go on to great things. And he did.
Boseman played icons like Thurgood Marshall, James Brown and Jackie Robinson before landing the ...
The late Chadwick Boseman made just 15 films before his shocking, devastating death last week from colon cancer. But many of those 15 movies had already left an undeniable and in some cases massive impact on cinema, even before becoming the permanent legacy of an incredible actor taken from us far too soon.
Not only did his portrayal of King T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther and three other Marvel Cinematic Universe entries change film history itself, but he brought some of the most important figures in both Black and American culture to the screen. Jackie Robinson and Thurgood Marshall were American heroes of gigantic stature, and Boseman managed to introduce them to new generations of viewers through his sensitive, complex portrayals.
By all accounts, Chadwick Boseman wanted each of his roles to mean something. He wanted to tell the story of Black history and push that story forward every time...
Not only did his portrayal of King T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther and three other Marvel Cinematic Universe entries change film history itself, but he brought some of the most important figures in both Black and American culture to the screen. Jackie Robinson and Thurgood Marshall were American heroes of gigantic stature, and Boseman managed to introduce them to new generations of viewers through his sensitive, complex portrayals.
By all accounts, Chadwick Boseman wanted each of his roles to mean something. He wanted to tell the story of Black history and push that story forward every time...
- 9/1/2020
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Chadwick Boseman, the celebrated star of such films as “Black Panther,” “Da 5 Bloods,” “42,” and “Get on Up,” has died at the age of 43. Reports indicate that his death was the result of a multi-year battle with colon cancer. Boseman played such icons as Jackie Robinson in “42” and James Brown in “Get on Up” before entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe as T’Challa.
Boseman was next set to appear in the announced sequel to “Black Panther.” Boseman will also appear posthumously in director George C. Wolfe’s Netflix adaptation of the August Wilson play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” opposite Viola Davis and Colman Domingo, which is readying for an awards season run. Boseman’s performance in the film has already been tipped as one of his best.
A statement shared via Boseman’s Twitter account said, “It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.
Boseman was next set to appear in the announced sequel to “Black Panther.” Boseman will also appear posthumously in director George C. Wolfe’s Netflix adaptation of the August Wilson play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” opposite Viola Davis and Colman Domingo, which is readying for an awards season run. Boseman’s performance in the film has already been tipped as one of his best.
A statement shared via Boseman’s Twitter account said, “It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.
- 8/29/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Kyle Villella, most recently VP Theatrical Distribution Operations at Ld Entertainment, has been appointed to head the expanding film and TV sales and distribution division at indie Paragon Pictures. It’s the last ramp-up for Paragon, the specialty distribution arm of Osiris Entertainment that kicked off its theatrical business in February with the platform release of the Melissa Leo starrer Bottled Up, a drama about over-the-counter drug abuse that also stars Josh Hamilton. The company formally launched in September with Osiris CEO Evan Crooke at the helm, and its other titles include the thrillers The Kill Hole starring Chadwick Boseman and UK pic Twenty8K. Villella previously worked at Lionsgate, Paramount, The Weinstein Company and most recently Ld, where he helped sell the Matthew McConaughey pic Killer Joe, Disconnect and Black Rock.
- 4/14/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
From the director of the Academy Award–nominated movie The Help comes Get On Up, the new biopic surrounding the life of the Godfather of Soul: James Brown. Chadwick Boseman (42, The Kill Hole) stars as the artist once known as the hardest working man in show business. This movie chronicles the story of Brown's life, including being abandoned by his mother (Viola Davis), being raised by his aunt (Octavia Spencer), spending time in jail, and of course rising inevitably to fame.
It's almost impossible to not be in awe of Boseman's spot-on impression of Brown as the man with enormous personality and a ruthless attitude. You're just about guaranteed to "get up offa that thing" and "get on the good foot" with Boseman when you watch this trailer.
Get ready to be moved by this one. It also stars Craig Robinson (The Office, This Is the End), Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters,...
It's almost impossible to not be in awe of Boseman's spot-on impression of Brown as the man with enormous personality and a ruthless attitude. You're just about guaranteed to "get up offa that thing" and "get on the good foot" with Boseman when you watch this trailer.
Get ready to be moved by this one. It also stars Craig Robinson (The Office, This Is the End), Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters,...
- 3/14/2014
- by Megan Rivera
- Reelzchannel.com
Rbc Records and Rbc Film Group have announced that the thriller The Kill Hole, is now out (as of today, July 2nd) on VOD, in conjunction with the soundtracks release on iTunes - a soundtrack that features original songs by Shawn Chrystopher, Kurtis Blow Jr, Blinded Faith and original compositions by Jason Wells.The film stars Chadwick Boseman as Lt. Samuel Drake, a troubled vet who is plagued by his actions while he was deployed in Iraq. Tory Kittles co-stars in this gripping, atmospheric drama that's set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest wilderness, and tells the haunting story of one man forced to confront his violent past, and...
- 7/2/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Mischa Webley's The Kill Hole will debut in theaters, Tomorrow, Friday, March 15th, courtesy of Rbc Film Group and Alternate Ending Studios. The film star Chadwick Boseman as Lt. Samuel Drake, a troubled vet who is plagued by his actions while he was deployed in Iraq. Tory Kittles co-stars in this gripping drama that's set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest wilderness, and tells the haunting story of one man forced to confront his violent past, and the uneasy bond he forms with the mysterious assassin he must face in his quest for redemption. I had the pleasure of interviewing both director Webley and co-star Tory Kittles last week - an interview that'll be posted...
- 3/14/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Title: The Kill Hole Director: Mischa Webley Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Billy Zane, Tory Kittles, Peter Greene, Dennis Adkins, Ted Rooney The ghost of Christopher Dorner, the former Los Angeles police officer who held the imaginations of television news producers captive for a week several weeks ago when he went on a rampgage, shooting several cops and their family members as part of a twisted statement of grievance, hangs over “The Kill Hole,” a well meaning indie drama of post-traumatic stress disorder and ex-military account-settling. Despite a fairly convincing evocation of mood by writer-director Mischa Webley, this spare yet affected tale never ripens past the point of a wobbly character study. It’s a half-developed [ Read More ]
The post The Kill Hole Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Kill Hole Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 3/13/2013
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
Mischa Webley's The Kill Hole will debut in theaters, next week Friday, March 15th, courtesy of Rbc Film Group and Alternate Ending Studios. The film star Chadwick Boseman as Lt. Samuel Drake, a troubled vet who is plagued by his actions while he was deployed in Iraq. Tory Kittles co-stars in this gripping drama that's set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest wilderness, and tells the haunting story of one man forced to confront his violent past, and the uneasy bond he forms with the mysterious assassin he must face in his quest for redemption. Ahead of the film's release, expect an interview with both director Webley and co-star Tory Kittles, to be posted some time next...
- 3/4/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
A film we've been following for quite some time now (see Vanessa's review Here; as well as her interview with director Mischa Webley Here), will see a theatrical release before heading to home video platforms. Mark your calendars - March 15th for the theatrical, courtesy of Rbc Film Group and Alternate Ending Studios, perfectly timed to take advantage of lead Chadwick Boseman's star-turn as Jackie Robinson in the upcoming 42. "The Kill Hole follows Chadwick Boseman as Lt. Samuel Drake, a troubled vet who is plagued by his actions while he was deployed in Iraq. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pacific Northwest wilderness, the film tells the haunting story of one man forced...
- 2/28/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The 3rd annual New Voices in Black Cinema, presented by Brooklyn-based ActNow Foundation in partnership with venue host BAMcinematek, takes place starting next Friday at February 15th through February 18th (President’s Day). With 10 New York premieres including Friday night opening film, Neil Drumming’s Slamdance Film Festival hit Big Words with Dorian Missick and Yaya Alafia (all of who will be in attendance),the surreal Alain Gomis directed-Saul Williams and Aissa Maiga starring Aujourd’Hui (Tey), Mischa Webley’s action thriller The Kill Hole, starring Chadwick Boseman, star of the upcoming Jackie Robinson biopic 42, and the Brooklyn premieres of the...
- 2/8/2013
- by Curtis Caesar John
- ShadowAndAct
Screening at the ongoing African Diaspora International Film Festival here in NYC (the film's New York premiere) is the indie action drama The Kill Hole - a film we’ve been covering since it made its premiere at the Santa Barbara Film Fest back in January (it won the best feature film award at the New Jersey Film Fest last month); it is written and directed by Mischa Webley, his writing/directing debut. We previously posted an exclusive interview with Webley in which he discussed his inspiration and vision for the film, which stars relative newcomer Chadwick Boseman (who will be seen next in Brian Hegeland’s Jackie Robinson biopic 42) and Tory Kittles (Miracle...
- 12/4/2012
- by Vanessa Martinez
- ShadowAndAct
2012 appears to be the year for younger, i.e. under 10 years old, underground fests to blow it wide open and go for broke. This time it’s the 4th annual Oakland Underground Film Festival that is expanding its horizons into a blowout four-day, much more densely packed affair, running on Sept. 27-30 at several different locations.
Expanding on the types of films they screen, this year Oakuff is jammed pack with a wide variety of documentaries, thrillers, a bevy of short films and a special tribute to blaxploitation films hosted by BadAzz MoFo’s David Walker.
The fest opens on the 27th with skateboarding filmmaker Stacy Peralta’s latest, Bones Brigade: An Autobiography, which documents his own involvement with California board culture along with peers like Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen. Following that will be Ya’Ke Smith’s complex drama about the effects of child molestation.
Other documentaries in...
Expanding on the types of films they screen, this year Oakuff is jammed pack with a wide variety of documentaries, thrillers, a bevy of short films and a special tribute to blaxploitation films hosted by BadAzz MoFo’s David Walker.
The fest opens on the 27th with skateboarding filmmaker Stacy Peralta’s latest, Bones Brigade: An Autobiography, which documents his own involvement with California board culture along with peers like Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen. Following that will be Ya’Ke Smith’s complex drama about the effects of child molestation.
Other documentaries in...
- 9/25/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Brooklyn Goes Hard in the trailer for 42.
Baseball movies. There have been plenty of movies made about America's favorite pastime. And while it's too early to tell whether Clint Eastwood and company have created a new all-time baseball movie classic with Trouble With the Curve until after it opens next week, it looks like next year might have a new entry to that list with L.A. Confidential screenwriter and A Knight's Tale writer-director Brian Helgeland's Jackie Robinson biopic 42. Harrison Ford actually acting? Chadwick Boseman (The Express, The Kill Hole) looking picture perfect as Robinson? The movie's first trailer gives audiences only a taste for what's in store. A few seminal moments from the baseball great's life are revealed while Jay-z's "Brooklyn Go Hard" plays in the background. As postseason October rounds the corner, baseball fans have another reason to get excited for next April: 42.
all the trailer hits...
Baseball movies. There have been plenty of movies made about America's favorite pastime. And while it's too early to tell whether Clint Eastwood and company have created a new all-time baseball movie classic with Trouble With the Curve until after it opens next week, it looks like next year might have a new entry to that list with L.A. Confidential screenwriter and A Knight's Tale writer-director Brian Helgeland's Jackie Robinson biopic 42. Harrison Ford actually acting? Chadwick Boseman (The Express, The Kill Hole) looking picture perfect as Robinson? The movie's first trailer gives audiences only a taste for what's in store. A few seminal moments from the baseball great's life are revealed while Jay-z's "Brooklyn Go Hard" plays in the background. As postseason October rounds the corner, baseball fans have another reason to get excited for next April: 42.
all the trailer hits...
- 9/21/2012
- by Ryan Gowland
- Reelzchannel.com
The indie action drama The Kill Hole, a film we’ve been covering since it made its premiere at the Santa Barbara Film Fest back in January (it won the best feature film award at the New Jersey Film Fest last month) is written and directed by Mischa Webley, his writing/directing debut. We posted an exclusive interview with Webley last month; he discussed his inspiration and vision for the film, which stars relative newcomer Chadwick Boseman (who will be seen next in Brian Hegeland’s Jackie Robinson biopic 42) and Tory Kittles (Miracle at St. Anna, Sons of Anarchy). Webley’s vision for The Kill Hole, about a troubled Iraqi vet (Boseman) summoned by military...
- 8/12/2012
- by Vanessa Martinez
- ShadowAndAct
Mischa Webley’s feature debut The Kill Hole has been making the rounds at several film festivals this year and earning accolades along the way; the film last won the best narrative feature at the New Jersey Film Festival. Just a few years ago, during the time Webley worked the night shift as a cab driver in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, he was also working on a short documentary piece about his grandfather’s experiences as a World War II veteran. “He confided in me about a number of things and experiences during the war that he never told anyone for decades including my mother,” says Webley of his grandfather, whose stories served as inspiration...
- 7/20/2012
- by Vanessa Martinez
- ShadowAndAct
A film we first profiled back in January of this year, the action drama The Kill Hole picked up critical acclaim when it premiered in January at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival; last month, the film won the best feature narrative award at the New Jersey International Film Festival. Written and directed by Mischa Webley, the film about a troubled and guilt-ridden Iraqi war vet will screen next at Chicago's Black Harvest Film Festival (August 3-30) and at the Montreal International Black Film Festival, (September 20-30). The film is also set for an official screening on August 17th at the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival in Washington. The Kill Hole,...
- 7/11/2012
- by Vanessa Martinez
- ShadowAndAct
February is Black History Month, and right now two African-American actors are Oscars front-runners (we're talking about you, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer). Plus, the talented and beautiful Adepero Oduye and Paula Patton were included in Vanity Fair's annual Young Hollywood issue -- which is usually all white.
In keeping with the props bestowed upon Hollywood's black performers this month, we present 13 black actors (and a bonus couple of pop stars transitioning to film) whose names you should memorize now, because we're predicting big things, juicy roles and long careers for all of them.
Nicole Beharie
Who She Is: The half-Nigerian, half-Jamaican beauty had a pivotal supporting role as the only woman Michael Fassbender actually wants to woo (and not just have sex with) in Steve McQueen's acclaimed drama "Shame." A graduate of Juilliard's prestigious drama program (where she received a scholarship named for fellow alum Robin Williams), the...
In keeping with the props bestowed upon Hollywood's black performers this month, we present 13 black actors (and a bonus couple of pop stars transitioning to film) whose names you should memorize now, because we're predicting big things, juicy roles and long careers for all of them.
Nicole Beharie
Who She Is: The half-Nigerian, half-Jamaican beauty had a pivotal supporting role as the only woman Michael Fassbender actually wants to woo (and not just have sex with) in Steve McQueen's acclaimed drama "Shame." A graduate of Juilliard's prestigious drama program (where she received a scholarship named for fellow alum Robin Williams), the...
- 2/3/2012
- by Sandie Angulo Chen
- NextMovie
How do you find the right actor to play Jackie Robinson in a biopic? A while back you could have had either Will Smith or Denzel Washington do it, but considering Robinson was 28 when he broke the color barrier and Smith and Washington are 43 and 56, respectively, that's just not going to work. There's also the issue of finding an actor who can disappear into the role be Jackie Robinson instead of just playing him. Given those factors, the best bet would probably to find a talented up-and-comer to take the role, and that's exactly what's happening with Legendary Pictures' 42. Chadwick Boseman is now in final talks to take the role of the legendary baseball player, according to Variety. While the project won't be his first film role - he recently wrapped production on an action movie called The Kill Hole for writer-director Mischa Webley and played Floyd Little in The...
- 12/9/2011
- cinemablend.com
The spotlight returned to the oft-delayed movie 42, based on Brooklyn Dodgers great Jackie Robinson’s entry into Major League Baseball and shattering the color barrier. Harrison Ford reportedly received the offer to play Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey in the upcoming movie from writer/director Brian Helgeland. Ford didn’t commit to the movie publicly, at least not yet, but Variety reported bigger casting news as TV actor Chadwick Boseman landed the lead role of Robinson on the Legendary Pictures production. Boseman appeared in the college football drama The Express and the upcoming independent Iraq War drama The Kill Hole as well as guest spots on various TV series such as Lie to Me, CSI: NY, Fringe, Justified and Castle.
- 12/9/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The spotlight returned to the oft-delayed movie 42, based on Brooklyn Dodgers great Jackie Robinson’s entry into Major League Baseball and shattering the color barrier. Harrison Ford reportedly received the offer to play Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey in the upcoming movie from writer/director Brian Helgeland. Ford didn’t commit to the movie publicly, at least not yet, but Variety reported bigger casting news as TV actor Chadwick Boseman landed the lead role of Robinson on the Legendary Pictures production. Boseman appeared in the college football drama The Express and the upcoming independent Iraq War drama The Kill Hole as well as guest spots on various TV series such as Lie to Me, CSI: NY, Fringe, Justified and Castle.
- 12/9/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The spotlight returned to the oft-delayed movie 42, based on Brooklyn Dodgers great Jackie Robinson’s entry into Major League Baseball and shattering the color barrier. Harrison Ford reportedly received the offer to play Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey in the upcoming movie from writer/director Brian Helgeland. Ford didn’t commit to the movie publicly, at least not yet, but Variety reported bigger casting news as TV actor Chadwick Boseman landed the lead role of Robinson on the Legendary Pictures production. Boseman appeared in the college football drama The Express and the upcoming independent Iraq War drama The Kill Hole as well as guest spots on various TV series such as Lie to Me, CSI: NY, Fringe, Justified and Castle.
- 12/9/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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