TRAILERS

Trailer for 'Why Is We Americans?' Doc About Newark's Baraka Family

by Alex Billington
January 11, 2022
Source: YouTube

"We don't call them riots, we call them the rebellion." Corinth Films has unveiled the official trailer for a documentary film titled Why Is We Americans?, which premiered year and is opening in select theaters this month. It will also play at LA's Pan African Film Festival next month, along with an expansion in more theaters throughout February. The story focuses on Newark's Baraka family and their involvement in many changes throughout Newark, New Jersey's history. "Spanning decades of social activism, poetry, music, art, and politics, this kaleidoscopic family saga is framed by on-camera interviews with Ms. Lauryn Hill, rare archival footage, and revealing personal testimonials. And as we connect with the iconoclastic poet, and his tight-knit family, a portrait of a city emerges with an inspiring call to arms in the fight for class and racial justice." It's executive produced by Ms. Lauryn Hill as we ll as Oren Moverman. This looks like a fascinating appreciation of a tremendously important family in American civil rights and political history. Take a look.

Trailer (+ poster) for Udi Aloni & Ayana Stafford-Morris' doc Why Is We Americans?, from YouTube:

This compelling documentary film explores Newark's struggle against oppression through the personal triumphs and tragedies of the Baraka family – from Amiri's civil rights leadership and ultimate artistic marginalization, to the horrific murder of his sister, Kimako, through the homicide of daughter Shani (one of the first openly gay Black activists) to the historic election of Ras Baraka as mayor of Newark, NJ. And through it all, it is the matriarch, Amina Baraka, who emerges as the story's lode star and moral compass. Why Is We Americans? is co-directed by filmmakers Udi Aloni (director of the docs Local Angel, Kashmir: Journey to Freedom, Art/Violence) & Ayana Stafford-Morris, working together for their first time. This initially premiered at the 2021 American Black Film Festival last year. Corinth Films will release Why Is We Americans? in select theaters (IFC Center) starting on January 14th, 2022 this month. Who's interested?

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