This festival of work by black artists from around the world continues Friday, August 18, through Thursday, August 31, at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Unless otherwise noted, tickets are $9, $5 for Film Center members; for more information call 312-846-2800. Following is the schedule for August 18 through 24; a complete festival schedule is available online at www.chicagoreader.com.
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Six friends in their 30s gather for the funeral of a seventh in this 2005 feature written by Tiayoka McMillan. Terrah Bennett Smith directed; with Robin Givens and Mel Jackson. 90 min. Video projection. Jackson and McMillan will take part in a discussion after the screening. a Sat 8/19, 6 PM.
Scheduled for commercial release on August 25, this musical by Bryan Barber stars OutKast’s Andre Benjamin and Antwan Patton as performers in a 1930s speakeasy. With Paula Patton, Terrence Howard, Patti LaBelle, and Ving Rhames. 90 min. a Thu 8/24, 8:15 PM.
My Phamily BBQ II: The Engagement
This 2005 digital documentary by Tracie Dean Ponder examines the life of her mother, who raised eight children by herself in a Chicago housing development. Also on the program: James Edwards’s DV short Family Musings (2005). 78 min. Ponder and Edwards will take part in a discussion after the screening. a Sat 8/19, 8:15 PM.
