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 gained an Emmy for producing the PBS documentary collection 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 gained Greatest Documentary on the Pan African Worldwide Movie Pageant in Cannes, and his movie The Doll was acknowledged as Greatest Dramatic Brief Movie on the Hollywood Black Movie Pageant. He executive-produced the PBS collection This Far by Religion for Blackside Movies and made movies for 2 of Blackside’s DuPont Columbia Silver Baton-winning collection. 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 folks. My engagement with liberation theology started in 2002 as the manager producer for Blackside Movies, PBS collection 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 conversant in Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright. Dr. Cone emphasised, “Any theology that’s detached to liberation just isn’t Christian theology.” This resonated with me.
Dr. Cone and I had an excellent working relationship, and for years, I wished to create a movie solely on Black Liberation Theology. I began the undertaking with assist from Dr. Cone and Dr. Wilmore in 2017. It paused after their deaths and in the course of 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. Nevertheless, now we have 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 method for justice and liberation.
Extra particularly, it’s a characteristic documentary that explores the historical past and up to date 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, finally defining the liberating relationships between God and the resilient Black neighborhood.
3. Carl: Lots of your movies had been for PBS. Is that this a PBS undertaking?
Dante: No, PBS initiatives 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 initiatives, I can discover humanity by way of the lens of advanced Black experiences— “unfiltered.”
4. Carl: Speak to me about gaining assist from students, practitioners, and contributors in your initiatives.
Dante: Assist and steering are important, and conducting thorough analysis is vital. 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 impression on filmmaking is crucial, significantly 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 significant for securing assist and participation.
Working relationships are additionally essential. Luckily, now we have 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: Speak to me about monetary assist 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 assist. Liberation Theology challenges present energy constructions. Consequently, mainstream foundations and PBS are reluctant to fund initiatives that achieve this. Due to this fact, we should put money into our narratives and proceed pursuing assist 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 assist for the undertaking.
Carl: Do you will have any closing feedback?
Dante: The movie will share the tales of historic and up to date spiritual leaders, icons, and on a regular basis Black Christians keen to battle for liberation. The undertaking seeks assist from all these entities, significantly Black ladies, to assist 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—finest needs for an excellent movie.
Dante: Thanks in your curiosity within the undertaking. Religion has sustained Black folks for hundreds of years. I’ve religion that this undertaking will garner great assist.
Make sure you comply with the movie on Fb and go to the official web site at https://blackpearlmw.com/Oppressed/