The Freep Film Festival is set to showcase several films with their Michigan premieres. “The Cave of Adullam” introduces viewers to the transformational training academy, where young Black boys are challenged to confront their unresolved anger and fear as they develop into well-rounded men. “Coldwater Kitchen” takes viewers inside a high-pressure culinary school in a prison, featuring Chef Jimmy Lee Hill and his students, who must navigate incarceration and the challenges of transitioning back into society. “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project” examines the life and legacy of the artist, while “Is That Black Enough For You?!?” examines the African American contribution to films released from the 1970s. “Lead and Copper” amplifies the voices of concerned parents and scientists pressing forward to expose the truth, showing the power of citizen action, while “Locked Out” brings viewers into the lives of courageous Black women battling housing injustice. The festival also includes shorts programs and showcases the work of student filmmakers.
Freep Film Festival 2023: Documentaries on Mary Tyler Moore, Black cinema, and more
The Freep Film Festival is back for its 10th year and features a diverse lineup of documentaries. The festival, which runs from April 26-30, will showcase more than 40 events, including educational and networking opportunities, as well as film screenings. This year’s festival will feature 19 feature-length films and 19 short films, many of which have a connection or relevance to the region or state.
The documentaries include a range of topics, such as the groundbreaking actress Mary Tyler Moore, 1970s-era Black cinema, a Detroit program that is changing the lives of at-risk youth, and a series of thought-provoking films by Asian American filmmakers.
“The tenth year is a fantastic milestone and what better way to celebrate than another slate of fantastic films,” said the festival’s artistic director, Kathy Kieliszewski. “This year’s films highlight art and artists, revolutionaries and legends, and of course, crucial issues facing our communities that deserve a closer look.”
Tickets for most in-person screenings cost $15 and are available at venues including the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, three theaters at the Michigan Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum, and Frame in Hazel Park. In addition, several films will be available to screen virtually from home, with tickets for virtual screenings costing $12 per film. However, filmmakers have placed caps on the number of virtual screening reservations, which means they can also sell out.
One of the festival’s highlights is the documentary ‘And the king said, what a FANTASTIC MACHINE,’ which explores society’s obsession with images and how it has influenced human behavior. The film chronicles the history of image capture from Camera Obscura and the Lumière brothers to YouTube and social media, and how it has become a multi-billion-dollar content industry over the past two centuries. This documentary is making its Michigan premiere and will be screened twice during the festival.
Another highlight is the Asian American Pacific Islander Film Series, which features several films exploring the Asian American experience. More information on this series, as well as ticket details for all events, can be found on the festival’s website at freepfilmfestival.com.
Freep Film Festival 2023: A Look at the Featured Documentaries
The Freep Film Festival is back, and this year’s lineup includes more than 40 events, featuring documentaries, film screenings, educational and networking opportunities from April 26-30. This festival’s 10th year promises to be memorable, with a diverse lineup of documentaries on a range of topics.
Here is a closer look at some of the featured documentaries:
AAPI Film Series
Curated by Razi Jafri, co-director of “Hamtramck USA” featured in the 2021 festival, this series focuses on Asian American communities and historical figures across the United States. The series includes stories told by Asian American filmmakers, such as “Like a Rolling Stone: The Life and Times of Ben Fong-Torres,” a documentary about the legendary Rolling Stone editor; “Free Chol Soo Lee,” which follows the story of a Korean immigrant wrongfully convicted for a murder in 1970s San Francisco; and “In Search of Bengali Harlem,” in which the filmmaker seeks out an understanding of his parent’s lives in Bangladesh before they immigrated to New York City.
The AAPI series is free to the public and will be playing throughout the festival at the Detroit Historical Museum. This series is produced in collaboration with the American Citizens for Justice and is being funded with the generous support of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission.
Being Mary Tyler Moore
This documentary offers unprecedented access to Mary Tyler Moore’s vast archive, highlighting her 60-year career as a groundbreaking actress. “Being Mary Tyler Moore” weaves her personal narrative with her professional accomplishments, showcasing the impact she had on generations of women who came after her. This documentary is making its Michigan premiere and will be screened twice during the festival.
Being Satori Circus ~ A Performance Documentary in Five Acts
For 34 years, artist Satori Circus has enlightened and astonished audiences in metro Detroit with his unique style of theatrical performance art. “Being Satori Circus ~ A Performance Documentary in Five Acts” tells his story in a narrative that fuses non-fiction and fiction storytelling, keeping the artist’s mystery intact. This documentary is making its world premiere and will be screened twice during the festival.
Black Mothers Love and Resist
This documentary follows the story of Wanda Johnson and Angela Williams, mothers of young Black men victimized by police brutality, as they come together to build a network of support and mutual aid spanning Oakland’s Fruitvale to the American South. Johnson’s son Oscar died in an encounter with law enforcement on a light rail platform in the Bay Area, while Williams’ teen son Ulysses survived a police encounter in Alabama. This documentary is making its Detroit premiere and will be screened once during the festival.
The Cave of Adullam
This documentary tells the story of Jason Wilson, a Detroit martial arts sensei, who teaches young boys and men about emotional vulnerability and healthy masculinity. “The Cave of Adullam” follows Wilson as he helps his students navigate the challenges of growing up in urban environments. This documentary will be screened once during the festival.
Tickets for in-person screenings cost $15, and venues include the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, three theaters at the Michigan Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum, and Frame in Hazel Park. Several films will also be available to screen virtually from home, with tickets for virtual screenings costing $12 per film. Filmmakers have placed caps on the number of virtual screening reservations, which means they can also sell out. More information on all of the events, as well as ticket details, can be found on the festival’s website at freepfilmfestival.com.
Freep Film Festival 2023: A Look at Some of the Featured Documentaries
The Freep Film Festival is returning with its 10th-year anniversary celebration from April 26-30. With over 40 events in store, the festival promises an exciting lineup of documentaries, film screenings, and educational and networking opportunities. Here is a closer look at some of the festival’s featured documentaries:
The Cave of Adullam
In this documentary, viewers are introduced to four young recruits of Jason Wilson’s Cave of Adullam, which he calls a “transformational training academy.” Wilson’s karate dojo was created with the intention of helping young Black boys, but he quickly learned that what they needed most was love, not discipline. The recruits are challenged to confront their unresolved anger and fear as they develop from boys into well-rounded men. This documentary is making its Michigan premiere and will be screened once during the festival.
Coldwater Kitchen
The festival’s opening night documentary, “Coldwater Kitchen,” takes viewers inside a high-quality culinary school where students learn to prepare exquisite gourmet meals. This takes place inside the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan. The documentary features Chef Jimmy Lee Hill, who has led the culinary training program at the prison for almost 30 years, and three of his students. These students must navigate incarceration and the challenges of transitioning back into society after leaving prison. This documentary is making its Michigan premiere and will be screened at several venues, including the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts and Frame in Hazel Park.
Detroit: The City of Churches
“Detroit: The City of Churches” introduces viewers to 17 different spiritual leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the role these spiritual touchstones and guides have played in the city’s history. A select number of tickets will be available for a tour of two local historic churches in partnership with the Detroit Historical Society.
Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project
This documentary explores the life and work of poet Nikki Giovanni, who played a pivotal role in the Black Arts Movement. The film features interviews with Giovanni herself, as well as Angela Davis, Sonia Sanchez, James Baldwin, and Maya Angelou. This documentary is making its Detroit premiere and will be screened twice during the festival.
Tickets for in-person screenings cost $15, and venues include the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, three theaters at the Michigan Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum, and Frame in Hazel Park. Several films will also be available to screen virtually from home, with tickets for virtual screenings costing $12 per film. Filmmakers have placed caps on the number of virtual screening reservations, which means they can also sell out. More information on all of the events, as well as ticket details, can be found on the festival’s website at freepfilmfestival.com.
The 2023 Freep Film Festival Lineup
Here’s what you need to know about the films being shown at the 2023 Freep Film Festival in Michigan.
A Collection of Memories and Moments
“Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project” explores the life and legacy of Nikki Giovanni through a collection of memories and moments in American history and readings of her poetry. Giovanni spent time in Detroit, where she watched over the children of civil rights figure Rev. Albert Cleage Jr. and his wife Doris. This film will have its Michigan premiere on:
-
5:30 p.m. Fri., April 28, Michigan Science Center (IMAX)
-
5 p.m. Sat., April 29 Michigan Science Center (Planetarium)
A Landmark Era in Film History
“Is That Black Enough For You?!?” examines the African American contribution to films released from the landmark era of the 1970s. Director Charles Burnett, Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Laurence Fishburne, Zendaya and others offer their perspectives on the creators and films that dazzled and inspired from the often overlooked period. This film will have its Michigan premiere on:
- 6:30 p.m. Thu., April 27, Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Housing Injustice
“Locked Out” is set in Detroit and brings viewers into the lives of courageous Black women who face evictions, predatory lenders, and traditional banking in a movement to battle housing injustice. This film will have its World premiere on:
- 7 p.m. Sat., April 29, Michigan Science Center (Toyota Engineering)
Citizen Action and Environmental Issues
“Lead and Copper” amplifies the voices of concerned parents and scientists pressing forward to expose the truth, showing the power of citizen action regarding environmental issues such as aging lead service pipes. This film will have its World premiere on:
- 6:30 p.m. Fri., April 28, Michigan Science Center (Planetarium)
Culinary Arts and Life After Incarceration
“Coldwater Kitchen” takes viewers inside a high-quality, high-pressure culinary school where students learn to prepare exquisite gourmet meals inside Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan. This documentary features Chef Jimmy Lee Hill and three of his students who must navigate incarceration and the challenges of transitioning back into society after leaving prison. This film will have its Michigan premiere on:
- 7 p.m. Wed., April 26, Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Transformative Training
“The Cave of Adullam” introduces viewers to four young recruits of Jason Wilson’s karate dojo, which he calls a transformational training academy. Wilson challenges his recruits to confront their unresolved anger and fear as they develop from boys into well-rounded men. This film will have its Michigan premiere on:
- 4 p.m. Sat., April 29, Michigan Science Center (Toyota Engineering)
Other Films
-
“Being Mary Tyler Moore” (Michigan premiere) – 12:30 p.m. Sat., April 29, Michigan Science Center (Toyota Engineering)
-
“Being Satori Circus ~ A Performance Documentary in Five Acts” (World premiere) – 5:30 p.m. Thu., April 27, Michigan Science Center (IMAX); 4 p.m. Sun., April 30, Michigan Science Center (Planetarium)
-
“Black Mothers Love and Resist” (Detroit premiere) – 7:30 p.m. Fri., April 28, Michigan Science Center (Toyota Engineering)
-
“Detroit: The City of Churches” – Film + Historic Church Tour: 12:35 p.m. Thu., April
Freep Film Festival 2023: A Look at the Upcoming Film Premieres
The Freep Film Festival, which is set to take place in April 2023, is one of the most eagerly anticipated cultural events in Michigan. The festival is known for showcasing the best documentary films from around the world and is a celebration of art, creativity, and social change. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most exciting film premieres scheduled for the event.
“Make Me Famous”
“Make Me Famous” is an investigation into the life and death of Detroit-born artist, Edward Brezinski. The documentary explores the life of this charismatic painter on the fringe of success, who thwarted his career with antics that roiled New York City’s art elite. The film features interviews, archival footage, and hundreds of images that examine a scene that made some rich and famous and left others behind. This is a Michigan premiere, and the film will be screened at the Michigan Science Center on Sunday, April 30.
“Real Fresh University Showcase”
The Real Fresh program is a spotlight for some of the best documentary work being done by students at area colleges and universities. This year’s collection of 12 shorts includes a wide variety of filmmaking approaches − and an even wider range of topics, with collegiate filmmakers exploring everything from Michigan surfing to pandemic-era anxiety to the liberating joys of dance. Participating schools include Calvin University, Michigan State University, Oakland University, University of Michigan, University of Windsor, and Wayne State University. The showcase will take place on Friday, April 28, at the Michigan Science Center.
Freep Film Festival Shorts Programs
This year, the festival features five shorts programs that bring viewers to the lives of unforgettable artists who work with paint, wood and their imaginations. They head up north for northern Michigan’s natural bounty and outdoor adventures. A shorts program explores the nation’s seemingly constant state of conflict, and another spotlights female voices in front of and behind the camera. As part of the festival’s Asian American Pacific Islander series, a shorts program explores how culture, identity, and food buttress the feeling of community among Asian Americans. These short programs will be screened throughout the festival at multiple locations.
“With Peter Bradley”
“With Peter Bradley” is a celebration of art-making, resilience, and the creative contributions of Black artists to American life. Seventy-nine years old and overlooked since the 1970s, abstract painter Peter Bradley reflects on life and shares his artistic process. Bradley had spent some of his formative years in Detroit, where he attended the Detroit Society of Arts, now the College for Creative Studies. He went on to build an incredible resume early in his career. Despite falling on hard times, Bradley continues to paint in a shipping-container studio heated by a wood stove, no matter the weather. This is a Michigan premiere, and the film will be screened at the Michigan Science Center on Saturday, April 29.
Other Film Premieres
In addition to these exciting films, the festival will also feature other film premieres such as “Coldwater Kitchen,” “Detroit: The City of Churches,” “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” “Is That Black Enough For You?!?,” “Lead and Copper,” and “Locked Out.” These films explore topics ranging from culinary training in prison to the racial gap in home ownership.
For more information and ticket details on these and other films, visit the official website of the Freep Film Festival. Don’t miss your chance to witness these thought-provoking and inspiring films at one of the most anticipated cultural events in Michigan.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
