"Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee" Feb. 17

 

 

The Midwest premiere, in celebration of Black History Month and hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, is sponsored by the Kenosha Community Foundation and the Mahone Fund. The screening takes place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the UW-Parkside Student Center Cinema. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at http://www.uwp.edu/engage/rubydee.cfm.

 

Muhammad chronicles his grandparents' remarkable journey as trailblazers in the arts community and activists in the Civil Rights Movement. He also shares exclusive video footage, family photos and memorabilia. A host of celebrity friends like Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, Hill Harper, Samuel Jackson, Spike Lee, S. Epatha Merkerson, Phylicia Rashad, Glynn Turman, Dr. Cornel West, Sonia Sanchez and Malik Yoba share eyewitness accounts of this American legacy.

 

Through conversations with his grandmother, an award-winning actor, playwright and activist, Muhammad not only discovers intimate details about his grandparents' relationship, but also questions his ability to carry on the very dynasty that gave him life. In the film, the director breaks the wall between himself and his subject to ask heartfelt questions of his grandmother. "How do you stay faithful? And if I can't see myself doing that, how can I honestly get married knowing that I could eventually break the heart of the woman I love?"

 

Dee states, "I can't say I didn't do anything to make Ossie unhappy…" as she carefully reveals the core commitment made between her and Davis. Her answer only sparked more questions for Muhammad, provoking him to dig deeper into the family archives and the history of Davis and Dee's union.

 

By capturing his grandmother's perspective about life's essentials -- love, marriage, commitment, conscious art and activism -- Muhammad preserves the wisdom of Davis and Dee for many longing to create a tradition of rich living that impacts today's society. 

 

"Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee" Sponsored by the Mahone Fund and the Kenosha Community Foundation 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the UW-Parkside Student Center Cinema View movie trailer and purchase tickets at http://www.uwp.edu/engage/rubydee.cfm

 

Muta'Ali has produced seven feature-length documentaries for recording artists under international record labels, including: Def Jam Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Atlantic Records. His content has appeared on CBS, BET, VH1 and MTV. Rounding out his range of production experience, Muta'Ali has produced three diverse, pop-culture-focused web series. He has also produced and/or scripted reality-based productions for clients including The Mo'Nique Show and Ebony/Jet Magazine.   

 

Brooklyn-born film producer Jevon "NJ" Frank has an instinctive talent for photography and film. His passionate, notable projects are known for their thought-provoking impact. For more than a decade, NJ has established a broad, devoted portfolio of clients including: AAA, The Mo'Nique Show, Michael Mauldin's Fastlife 360, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Universal Music Recording artists Bun B, Atlantic Music Recording artist T.I. and Johnson Publications' Ebony and Jet Magazines. NJ recently wrapped production on "Submit: The Reality of Cyber Bullying," a documentary which he hopes will bring awareness to the growing problem of individuals spreading hate and humiliation through social networks and other forms of electronic communications.   

 

Event Contact:

Laura Littel

262-595-2039