Press Release: OCTOBER 14TH EXPANSION OF ACCLAIMED FILM ANNOUNCED

New York - Sept. 27th, 2005 -- THINKFilm and Filmmaker Keith Beauchamp have agreed to allocate a portion of the box office revenue of Beauchamp's groundbreaking film, THE UNTOLD STORY OF EMMETT LOUIS TILL, to the immediate needs of the New Orleans relief effort. Beauchamp, a Baton Rouge native, was recently recognized by Southern University at New Orleans, the New Orleans City Council and Mayor Ray Nagin on March 17th, 2005. Since the catastrophe in Louisiana earlier this month, Beauchamp's mother, Ceola J. Beauchamp, and the Baton Rouge Delta Sigma Theta Chapters have set up distribution points to provide, clothing, food and other amenities. Select proceeds from the October 14th national expansion, which includes Chicago (Till's hometown), Washington DC, Atlanta, Memphis, and the Boroughs of New York City will be provided to the Baton Rouge Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a faith based organization headquartered in New Orleans, LA.

"My mother always instilled in me the importance of helping those who cannot help themselves, just as in the Emmett Till case; Emmett could not speak for himself, and he was denied justice. I felt it was my obligation as a young person in this country to make sure that this case was reopened. The Creator has now directed me once again to do all that I can for those in need. Just as the covers of racism were pulled from the face of Emmett Till, it has now been pulled from the city of New Orleans."

In conjunction with the October 14th rollout, THINKFilm is working with Consultant Rodney Sampson to oversee and execute the grassroots marketing campaign for the faith- based and community organizations. "THE UNTOLD STORY OF EMMETT LOUIS TILL serves as a major link between past injustices and current opportunities for creating legitimate dialogue and resolve between the races in America," says Sampson. "To that end, the recent decision by THINKFilm and Keith to donate a portion of the theatrical proceeds to Katrina relief is not just honorable, but strategic and divine. Our timing is impeccable."

Beauchamp's Award-winning documentary, THE UNTOLD STORY OF EMMETT LOUIS TILL, is a culmination of a 10-year effort to uncover the details behind the nightmarish murder story and has led to a national effort to re-open the case and investigate new evidence and witnesses to the murder. The film opened exclusively in New York City in August to rave reviews including New York Magazine which called the film "The most important documentary of the year and an essential tale of what it means to be an American."

THINKFilm won its first Best Documentary Academy Award with last year's BORN INTO BROTHELS and also received nominations for THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL and SPELLBOUND. The company has qualified THE UNTOLD STORY OF EMMETT LOUIS TILL for Academy Award consideration this year.

For more information and theater locations: www.emmetttillstory.com

I'm looking forward to seeing it...

Kurtis Blow Working On "History Of Rap" Documentary
By Nolan Strong and Kye Stephenson

Hip-Hop pioneer Kurtis Blow is working on a documentary, "The History of Rap," focusing on the origins of Hip-Hop, aimed at educating eager fans about the early days of the genre.

Similar to the VH1 special "And You Don't Stop," Blow promises that his two-hour documentary will delve deeper into the subject, with the histories of such luminaries as Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Hollywood, Eddie Cheeba, Luv Bug Starski and others.

"We really get into it," Blow told AllHipHop.com. "We give you a half-hour on just Kool Herc. We start around 1972 all the way up to the early days of RUN-DMC. The story really needs to be told about how Kurtis Blow was inspired, how the Sugarhill Gang and RUN-DMC were inspired by these earlier cats that never got the props they deserve. These are the guys who are the true pioneers."

Blow hopes the documentary will enlighten people to the lesser known facts, like the oft-overlooked fact that hip-hop was heavily influenced by disco music.

"A lot of people don't know about that," Blow continued. "Hip-hop came from disco, it was a mutation of disco."

Blow, who also serves as a DJ and emcee every Thursday from 6-9pm at the Greater Hood Memorial AME Zion Church in Harlem, New York, aims for the documentary to be ready by Summer 2005.

Aside from “The History of Rap,” Blow has reportedly undertaken other business with a former manager, but he declined to discuss an alleged lawsuit against mogul Russell Simmons, who once guided his career.

He had more affectionate comments for the emerging generation of rap legends.

Blow, who was the first rapper to sign with a major label, the first to have a certified gold single and the first to embark on an international concert tour, explained that he did not have the bitter sentiments towards the younger hip-hoppers that many old school rappers are accused of harboring.

"A lot of old school cats are frustrated and jealous, because all the new-school kids are making the money,” Blow continued. “But not me. I support the new hip-hop and wanna see these guys be successful and get the money and make as much money as they can. My hat goes off to the new kids cause they've taken it to another level.”

Go See SheHateMe

So yesterday Dee and I went to see SHE HATE ME! Two words....EXCELLENT MOVIE! Fuck all of the Spike Lee haters who tried to shit on the movie before it even released. He's proven yet again that he is one badass filmmaker!

I'll admit, I was worried about the whole plot and all...a young black out of work executive getting paid big bucks to impregnate lesbians. I thought surely one flew over the cookoo's nest, but I gave it chance anyway and I am so glad that I did. I walked out of that movie thinking, my Spike Lee top three has expanded to a top four.

SHE HATE ME is so not for the stupid, which is why I believe the overall Yahoo grade for the movie was something like a C-. People just aren't ready. They can't handle it when a movie runs all over the field, yet still makes it back to home base every hit. Spike made several salient points and commentary about the notion of family, homosexual relations, corporate scandal, government corruption and race.

Five words...

GO SEE SHE HATE ME!!!

It's a must see twice!!!

So not for the stupid!!!

Ok, 15 words, but you get my point!!!

For more info check it out: http://www.sonyclassics.com/shehateme/flash.html

-M

Oh, and shout out to Paula Jai Parker for breakin' it down pre-sex rap style!!! I laugh at just the thought of that scene.