Los Angeles New Orleans New York Halifax

Two leading African American Filmmakers on the life and death of American Cities, Burnett's L.A. is a city that contains a massive and mostly hidden black sub-culture that only became visible to the outside in the Watts and Rodney King riots. Spike Lee, on the other hand, sees his hometown of New York City as a place of racial conflict and possible resolution in Do The Right Thing. His vision of New Orleans during the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina reveals a powerful, raging point-of-view that still demands to be answered. Curated by Ron Foley Macdonald, this series is presented as part of the Gallery's African Heritage Month celebrations. 

February 5 - Killer of Sheep

Charles Burnett, USA, 1977, 90 min.

A slaughterhouse worker struggles to balance domestic and economic concerns in this deeply poetic, non-linear indie African American film.

February 12 - My Brother's Wedding

Charles Burnett, USA, 1983, 116 min

The second feature by Burnett tells of a young black man making a choice between his social climbing lawyer brother and his own delapidated community.

February 19 - Do The Right Thing

Spike Lee, USA, 1989, 120 min

An Italian owned pizzeria in a black neighbourhood becomes a racial flashpoint during the hottest nights of a New York City summer. 

February 26 - When The Levees Broke

Spike Lee, USA, 2007, 256 min (5-9 pm)

Spike Lee's epic examination of the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans is raw, immediate and relentlessly thorough. Note: this is a 4-hour film!