August 28, 2019 – @ ARRAY Creative Campus

‘Car Wash’ (1976)

Cult classic CAR WASH rolls through ARRAY’s new Cinema Lounge to close out The Broad’s Soul of a Nation exhibition. Featuring legendary artists Ivan Dixon, Bill Duke, Antonio Fargas, George Carlin, The Pointer Sisters, and Richard Pryor, Michael Schultz’s iconic comedy follows an eclectic group of characters who work at a car wash in Los Angeles as friendships, love and sexuality get put through the ringer. By the end of the day, most of the wash staff are just happy that they made it through another shift.

Post-screening artist conversation with director Michael Schultz.

October 29, 2018 – @ The Egyptian Theatre

‘Ganja & Hess’ (1973)

Flirting with the conventions of blaxploitation and horror, Bill Gunn’s revolutionary independent film GANJA & HESS (1973) is a highly stylized and utterly original treatise on sex, religion, and African American identity. Duane Jones (Night of the Living Dead) stars as anthropologist Hess Green, who is stabbed with an ancient ceremonial dagger by his unstable assistant (director Bill Gunn), bestowing upon him the blessing of immortality… and the curse of an unquenchable thirst for blood. When the assistant’s wife Ganja (Marlene Clark) comes searching for her missing husband, she and Hess form an unexpected partnership. Together, they explore just how much power blood holds. This special Halloween screening is presented in partnership with The Broad and the American Cinematheque.

Post-screening conversation with actors David Oyelowo and Rel Howery and Rolling Stone senior writer Jamil Smith.

April 28, 2018 – @ Silver Screen Theatre

‘The Watermelon Woman’ + ‘Jewel’s Catch One’

Merging fictional and non-fictional worlds reflective of the LGBTQ experience, The Broad and ARRAY present a double feature screening of the cult classic ‘The Watermelon Woman’ (1996), directed by and starring Cheryl Dunye, and the electric documentary ‘Jewel’s Catch One’ (2016), by woman filmmaker C. Fitz. Post-screening conversation with filmmakers Cheryl Dunye and C. Fitz moderated by Justin Simien (‘Dear White People’ creator)

‘The Watermelon Woman’ is an imaginative romantic comedy about a young woman who meets the girl of her dreams while making a film about an obscure Black actress from the 1930s. ‘Jewel’s Catch One’ explores the legacy of America’s oldest Black-owned disco club as well as the life of businesswoman and activist, Jewel Thais-Williams, who provided safe spaces for LGBTQ, Black and AIDS-impacted communities in Los Angeles for four decades.

November 16, 2017 – @ Theatre at Ace Hotel

‘Daughters of the Dust’ (1991)

Recognized as the first feature film by an African-American women with a wide theatrical release in the United States, Julie Dash’s DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST follows a multi-generational family on the Sea Islands off of South Carolina. These former West African slaves, who adopted many of their ancestors’ Yoruba traditions, struggle to maintain their cultural heritage and folklore while contemplating a migration to the mainland, even further from their roots. This cult classic filled with lush imagery and poetic dialogue will serve as entry into candid dialogue about cultural identity on and off screen.

Post-screening conversation with filmmakers Julie Dash and Ava DuVernay.

March 11, 2017 – @ Redcat

‘Black Girl’ (1966)

Recognized as one of the founding works of African cinema, Ousmane Sembène’s BLACK GIRL follows a young Senegalese woman as she journeys to France for work and a life worthy of her. This stirring 1966 classic will serve as entry into candid dialogue about images of black femininity post-colonialism.

Post-screening artist forum with Aisha Hinds, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Salli Richardson-Whitfield and legendary director Euzhan Palcy moderated by journalist Britni Danielle.

January 14, 2017 – @ Redcat

‘Cooley High’ (1975)

Friendship, first loves, and fatality are navigated by four young men in COOLEY HIGH directed by Michael Schultz and written by Eric Monte. Set in 1960s Chicago, this coming of age story provides a slice of life look at both the light and grit of black teen spirit. The film’s 1975 release provided a shift away from blaxploitation cinema common during that time and features breakout performances from Glynn Turman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Garrett Morris, and Cynthia Davis. The screening of this classic is curated by filmmaker Ava DuVernay (13TH, SELMA) and will serve as the springboard for a dynamic discussion about male identity, black images and the representation of both in cinema as well as in mainstream media.

Post-screening discussion with Emmy award-winning actor Glynn Turman, legendary writer Eric Monte and cult classic director Michael Schultz moderated by Oscar winner Common

October 5, 2016 – @ Redcat

‘Claudine’ (1974)

She is a single mother raising six kids. He is a bachelor intimidated by fatherhood. Each has found their match in the classic film, Claudine. With characters portrayed exquisitely by Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones, we navigate the welfare system, family structure, and racial tensions brewing on Harlem’s consciousness. Presented in 35MM the screening of this 1974 motion picture include a post-screening discussion with legendary Diahann Carroll moderated my EMMY award-winning journalist Shaun Robinson.

April 23, 2016 – @ Redcat

‘Nothing But A Man’ (1964)

Set against the stirrings of the civil rights movement and a rising wave of burgeoning black pride, NOTHING BUT A MAN, tells the story of a railroad section hand, who is forced to confront racial prejudice and self-denial when he falls in love with an educated preacher’s daughter. Presented in a recently restored 35mm print by the Library of Congress and Cinema Conservancy, the screening of this 1964 work of art will serve as the springboard for open exchange about economic and social equality as well as the pursuit of selfhood in spite of both.

Post-screening character study with actors Michael Ealy and Emayatzy Corinealdi moderated by ARRAY founder and filmmaker Ava DuVernay.

February 25, 2016 – @ Redcat

‘Ashes and Embers’ (1982)

A disillusioned veteran of the Vietnam War attempts to come to terms with his past and his current place as a black man in America in director Haile Gerima’s ASHES AND EMBERS. Winner of the 1983 FIPRESCI Prize for Forum of New Cinema at the Berlin International Film Festival, this little seen screen gem will serve as entry into candid dialogue about nationalism, liberty and race relations explored from the artist viewpoint.

Post-screening discussion between student and teacher; auteur Haile Gerima and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Bradford Young.

December 10, 2015 – @ Redcat

‘Paris Blues’ (1961)

In a potent collision of race, romance and jazz, PARIS BLUES chronicles the passionate relationship of two couples embarking on intellectual and artistic adventures in turbulent times. Starring Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, Diahann Carroll and Joanne Woodward and presented in exquisite 35mm, the screening of this 1961 gem will serve as the springboard for a dynamic discussion about identity, creativity and expatriatism.

Post-screening artist forum with director Ryan Coogler, actors Tessa Thompson and Andre Holland, and musician Ledisi moderated by ARRAY founder and filmmaker Ava DuVernay.