A Sunday in the park conjures up the image of sunshine, kids playing softball, family picnics, and dogs catching Frisbees. But for years, in Athens Park of South Central, it was a haven for gang violence and crime. It was certainly one of the last places folks in the neighborhood would think to go for a late afternoon outdoor movie, but not on February 17th. Because of the culmination of a team of hardworking community activists, they gave the vicinity of notorious gang-land in-fighting a reason to celebrate Hollywood style – with a good movie and fresh popcorn.
The British Academy of Film & Television Arts Los Angeles’ Inner City Cinema (BAFTA/LA) along with The Weinstein Company, C.U.R.E, Kalicoat Kids and P.C.I presented a special screening of the NAACP award winning film "The Great Debaters" this Sunday afternoon in the Athens Park Gym. Presented in honor and memory of our recently fallen LAPD Officer Randal Simmon, it was followed by a Q&A with cast members Jurnee Smollett, Nate Parker and Denzel Whitaker and screenwriter Robert Eisele.
Since June 2005, Katy Haber, Co-Chair for Education and the Outreach Committee leader for BAFTA/LA, has been holding monthly screenings at Helen Keller Park, showing fifteen films so far. Once plagued by gang activity, the park has been totally crime free since June 2005 when BAFTA/LA’s involvement began.
In association with C.U.R.E.(Common Unity Respecting Everyone) founded by Cameron Bonner, a park volunteer, and with the indispensable help of former gang members, the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation has dedicated itself to creating community through its parks and programs. Hollywood Outdoor Movies provided its assistance and with free hot dogs, popcorn and drinks from BAFTA/LA a unique outdoor movie experience was born.
BAFTA/LA’s monthly screenings have been delivering "positive messages and inspiring stories" to the community surrounding Helen Keller Park and its youth. Athens Park, a community across the tracks, is now being offered the chance to share the same experience, with its larger auditorium, able to house even more families and members of the outlaying area, bringing the two together.
Appropriately "The Great Debaters" was inspired by the story of Wiley College’s winning debate team of the early 1930s. It chronicles the journey of the team coached by the brilliant professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington). Tolsons recognition that the use of words, knowledge, and humor are the greatest weapons of all brought these students from underdogs to victors, against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South.
The film was donated by The Weinstein Company who also erected a marquee in the park last year. The film was directed by Denzel Washington, produced by Oprah Winfrey, Todd Black, Kate Forte and Joe Roth, and stars Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker.
After an emotional tribute to the late officer Simmons which included a news clip of his son Matthew giving a moving eulogy and pictures of his beautiful family, former gang members, now turned community activists openly apologized to the mothers of the neighborhood for all past violence. They renewed their pledges to keep peace and bring families together. Through the "No Child Harmed Act", a peace treaty signed by the neighborhoods formerly warring gangs, the leadership of organizations like "Peace in the Hood", and with the unwavering support of the Dept. of Parks and Recreation director Joe R. Mendoza, and the LAPD, it is now possible to enjoy a Sunday in the park again.
Actor Nate Parker having just flown in from finishing shooting his next film, “The Secret Life of Bees”, based on the bestseller was excited to be able to take part and told me that this was by far his most rewarding experience working on a film because of the effect it has had on the people who watch it, and because it provides a forum for change like today did.
After the screening Parker was joined by his fellow actors and the screenwriter, Robert Eisele and with only a slight hesitation from the audience the questions and excitement were overflowing. From of course wondering what it must have been like to work with Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey, the members of the crowd questions varied from how you act without getting butterflies in your stomach to how do you prepare for a role. Parker was quick to respond by asking the group if they remember what it was like when they were in school and they didn’t know the answer to a question. After some knowing laughter from the crowd, he likened acting to school and said that when you do your homework and prepare and do your research, you can’t wait for the teacher to call on you.
Screenwriter Robert Eisele was honored to be able to share his film after ten years of seeing the film come together. Growing up during apartheid in racially diverse neighborhoods, Eisel insisted that this story is not just African American history but American history. Denzel Whittaker was adamant in stating that there are many historical black figures whose stories only get one line in history books and that there are many more to be told, that this is just the beginning.
BAFTA/LA is a non-profit organization founded in 1987 that serves as the bridge between the British and American film and television industries. Its educational outreach for students and the Los Angeles community not only includes an after-school screening program for inner-city youth at the Helen Keller Park and Recreation Center but a partnership with Film Aid (https://filmaid.org/) to mentor young filmmakers.
One such young filmmaker is Mykiea Russell. A student at Washington Heights Prep, and an avid athlete, she has just completed her first film. Mykiea summed up the day for all of us. At he end of the evening while the guests were all taking photos, signing autographs and mingling, her emotion was simply that of overwhelm. Her first time watching a screening at the gym, she was so thrilled to be a part of it and said her impulse to be a filmmaker came from her need to do something positive in the world.
For updates on all the screenings upcoming throughout the year and on the people making it happen every day, check in with us here at lastheplace.com and for more information on BAFTA/LA, its seminars and scholarships visit www.baftala.org.
Other related articles:
https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article731822.ece
Great story!
Just awesome!!!