EVENT RECAP- Rhythm Launch Party and Movie Premiere during 2009 New York International Latino Film Festival

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Party Recap

Rhythm citrus liqueur hosted its launch party while also celebrating the premieres of “Trek to the Holy Land” and “Skin” during HBO’s New York International Latino Film Festival (NYLIFF), now in it’s 10th year. The event was held at High Line Ballroom in New York City on Saturday, August 1, 2009.

Described as the premier 70 proof citrus liqueur, Rhythm’s launch party included performances by Ron Browz, Jive Recording artist Lee Carr, Elliot Zimet (The Hip Hop Magician) and other celebrity guests dropping in.

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Elliot Zimet (Hip Hop Magician) @Rhythm Launch party 8/1, photo by Shareif Ziyadat

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Rhythm girls & "Suits" on @Rhythm red carpet 8/1, photo by Shareif Ziyadat

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TREK Producer Edward Harris & Exec. Prod. Adrienne Smith, photo by Shareif Ziyadat

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Damon Dash & Amelia Moore of Host of Daily Dose TV, photo by Shareif Ziyadat

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Ron Browz, Stacy (Rhythm Brand Exec) & Lee Carr, photo by Shareif Ziyadat

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Jive Recording artist Lee Carr performing @ Rhythm Launch party 8/1, photo by Shareif Ziyadat

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Rapper Ron Browz entertaining the Rhythm crowd 8/1, photo by Shareif Ziyadat

About Rhythm

Rhythm is the new citrus liqueur containing caffeine, ginseng, and other energy- enhancing ingredients. Boosted with 23 different citrus flavors, B6 & B12 vitamins, Taurine, Guarana, and more, RHYTHM keeps you in the groove and feeling “hangover” free the next morning. Rhythm, owned by RJS Spirits, comes from a family of beverages and spirits. We are all connected. Rhythm connects us.

Purchase online via DrinkUpNY.com

Visit the official website- www.drinkrhythm.com

About “Trek to the Holy Land”
Run time 59 min.

In the wake of the tragic attack on the World Trade Center, the Rev. Al Sharpton assembled delegation to travel to Israel and Palestine to meet with leaders on both sides of the turmoil in the Middle East. Filmmaker Edward Harris was among those visiting the region, and his camera vividly documents the group’s meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres and President of the Palestine Authority Yasser Arafat. Candid sessions with the renowned spokesmen on both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict provide viewers with the background and history of the Holy Land and the circumstances that have made them mortal enemies. The group was also follows the path to Golgotha where many believe Jesus Christ was crucified and to see where His body rested in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Harris’s camera captures another perspective of the world’s most beautiful and dispute land in modern times. (source NYLIFF)

Facebook Fan Page- www.facebook.com/pages/Trek-to-the-Holy-Land/101778781173

About “Skin”
Run time 107 min.

A genetic abnormality caused Sandra Laing, born of white parents in South Africa, to look like a black person. This strange twist fuels Anthony Fabian‘s strong drama, based on a true story. Sophie Okonedo is superb in the lead, as are Sam Neill and Alice Krige as her caring but occasionally out-of-touch parents. (source: NYLIFF)

RELATED POSTS

affrodite.net- The New York International Film Festival Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary in a New Home With Star-Studded World Premieres.

affrodite.net- Sandra Laing, Black Woman Born To White Parents Surprises Guests at 17th Annual Pan African Film Festival

Sandra Laing, Black Woman Born To White Parents Surprises Guests at 17th Annual Pan African Film Festival

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Laing’s Lifestory Subject of New Film “Skin” starring Sophie Okonedo

PAFF Centerpiece

(Wed. February 11, 2009) Sandra Laing (middle), black woman born to white parents and subject of the new film "SKIN" attends special screening at the 17th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles. Laing is pictured with PAFF founder Ayuko Babu (left) and actress Alfre Woodard (right). Photo credit: Shon Smith for D'Angelo's Photos.

LOS ANGELES, CASandra Laing attended a special screening at the 17th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival of the critically acclaimed new film about her life “SKIN,” starring Sophie Okonedo. Among those in attendance were actress Alfre Woodard. The screening took place Wednesday, February 12, 2009 at the Culver Plaza Theatre as part of the 2009 Pan African Film & Arts Festival held annually in Los Angeles.

Based on true events, “SKIN” tells the story of a genetic abnormality that caused a woman born of white parents in apartheid South Africa, to look like a black person. Tormented and unaccepted by white society though classified as white, she falls in love with a Black man and moves to a township, alienating her parents. The film stars Sophie Okonedo, and is directed by Anthony Fabian.

The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is the largest and most prestigious flagship black film and arts festival in the country. The festival consists of more than 150 new movies by filmmakers and 100 fine artists from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Europe and Canada, showcasing the diversity and complexity of people from African descent. www.PAFF.org

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(Wed. February 11, 2009) "SKIN" director Anthony Fabian and actress Alfre Woodard at a special screening at the 17th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles. "SKIN" tells the story of a black woman born to white parents in South Africa during the 1950s. Photo credit: Shon Smith for D'Angelo's Photos.

02.11.09 at 7pm- Award winning film featured screening “Skin” with Sophie Okonedo at 17th Annual Pan African Film Festival

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

WHO:SKIN” cast members, award winning director Anthony Fabian, celebrity guests, and VIP’s

WHAT: The 17th Annual Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) will present a featured screening and Q&A of “SKIN.” Based on true events, “SKIN” tells the story of a genetic abnormality that caused a woman born of white parents in apartheid South Africa, to look like a black person. Tormented and unaccepted by white society though classified as white, she falls in love with a Black man and moves to a township, alienating her parents.

Stars Sophie Okonedo, directed by Anthony Fabian. Talent attending, special surprise guest. Q&A to follow screening. Film is approximately 107 minutes.

Click here for trailer

WHERE: Culver Plaza Theatre, 9919 West Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Red carpet 6:30 p.m.

WHY: The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is the largest and most prestigious flagship black film and arts festival in the country. The festival consists of more than 150 new movies by filmmakers and 100 fine artists from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Europe and Canada, showcasing the diversity and complexity of people from African descent. www.PAFF.org

The Secret Life of Bees- go see it!

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I wish I took the time to write this post right after watching the movie, but my hubby and I caught a showing of The Secret Life of Bees a few weeks ago on a whim.  As someone who rarely goes to the movies anymore, this was definitely worth the trip to see it on the big screen.  With a cast that includes several musician-actresses Queen Latifah, Alicia Keyes, and Jennifer Hudson, I was initially leery to check out a chick flick sans some of the chick flick classic divas.  However, I was wrong.  These ladies along with Sophie Okenodo really brought the story to life.

Ladies, this will channel all of your mother issues as each character has a story to tell.  There are moments where I could have used a tissue box (lots of those moments so be prepared) and moments that I outted a belly laugh.  My!  Dakota Fanning is growing up, but she played her role as Lily well.  Her character is near and dear to my own heart as she dreams of being a writer.

Kudos to Gina Prince-Bythewood who directed the on screen version and has classics such as “Love and Basketball” and “Disappearing Acts” on her resume.

The NY Times published a review called “A Golden Dollup of Motherly Comfort“.  The first paragraph is below…

Adapted by Gina Prince-Bythewood from the best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd, “The Secret Life of Bees” unfolds in a sentimental, honey-glazed land that vaguely resembles South Carolina in 1964. It would be wrong to say that the troubles of that time and place have been wished away — on the contrary, the movie begins with a scene of horrific domestic violence and includes child abuse, a racially motivated beating, suicide and the threat of a lynching — but from the opening voice-over to the final credits, every terror and sorrow is swaddled in warm, therapeutic comfort…

Now, don’t get lulled into love and happiness from the start of this review because the NY times article ends with a backhand that is worthy and debatable at the same time.

…In case they didn’t have enough problems of their own, August and her sisters also have Lily to deal with, and the film seems to struggle with an awkward and unstated tension. You can almost feel how badly it wants to be about the lives, not of bees, but of black women at a pivotal moment in the recent past.

Despite Ms. Prince-Bythewood’s best efforts to retain a sense of history, and Queen Latifah’s shrewd refusal to play her character according to stereotype, the film becomes a familiar and tired fable of black selflessness, in which African-Americans take time out from their struggle against oppression to lift the battered self-esteem of white people who have the good sense not to be snarling bigots. Even Ms. Fanning, weeping on cue and looking uncomfortable otherwise, seems a little abashed that the movie, in the end, has to be all about her.

Here’s also an excerpt of the review written in Black Voices

After a long delay, Sue Monk Kidd’s bestseller, ‘The Secret Life Of Bees’ is finally a film– with an all-star cast to boot. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and starring Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, and Tristan Wilds, the film is laced with dramatic and powerful performances. It’s certain to satisfy the fans of the book and newcomers to the story.

Set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Hilary Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Paul Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend. The duo travels to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. Rosaleen is also a fugitive, having fled from authorities after standing up for herself against white racists…

Have you seen the film?  If so, how would you rate it?  Do you agree with the NY Times assessment?

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