Great Movies
"The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution," the latest documentary from Stanley Nelson ("Freedom Riders," "Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple," "The Murder of Emmett Till"), has met its Kickstarter goal of $50,000. With a week left prior to the May 6th deadline, Nelson is asking for additional funds that will enable the film to screen in more cities, including Ferguson, Missouri.
According to its Kickstarter synopsis, Nelson's picture is "is the first feature length documentary to showcase the Black Panther Party, its significance to the broader American culture, its cultural and political awakening for black people, and the painful lessons wrought when a movement derails."
The film garnered acclaim upon its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this past January, with NBC News describing the picture as "unyielding in its exploration of Black Panther pride, confrontations and in-fighting" while using "rare footage to chronicle the explosive movement in a most comprehensive way."
In his director's statement on Kickstarter, Nelson wrote, "As we witness the similarities between the injustices of yesterday and the tragedies of today, we feel a sense of urgency to share the story of the Black Panther Party. We are struck by the way today's movement around police brutality and accountability is being led by young people seeking change, just as it was with the Black Panther Party almost 50 years ago. We believe we can reach a greater number of young people from diverse communities by bringing the film to theaters across the country. Ultimately, we want to bring this vibrant chapter in American history to life so that we can all understand it, learn from it and make better decisions - personally and collectively."
Below is Nelson's new pitch video for additional funds.
For more information on the film or to make a donation, visit its official Kickstarter page.
