‘Black Panther’ being screened by NAACP
The film will be screened in celebration of Black History Month
Since its 2018 release, “Black Panther” has grown to be an iconic slice of cinema — gaining more and more fans with its stunning visuals and powerful messages of unity, perseverance in the face of oppression and so much more.
At 5:30 p.m. Friday, in honor of Black History Month, The Boulder County NAACP will screen the Academy Award-winning film, starring the late Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o as part of Community Cinemas drive-in located at Heart of Longmont, a United Methodist Congregation, at 350 11th Ave.
“We chose Black Panther because it is Afrocentric and positively presents capabilities of Black people,” said Jude Landsman, chair of the NAACP Economic Oppor tunity Committee for Boulder County. “It’s so fun to have a Black woman be the technological wiz and Chadwick Boseman presents the heroic character with so much heart and depth of character. The film also recognizes the world as it is and the problems that exist. It is well-written and well-directed by a Black director and writers.”
Chadwick Boseman, the star of the groundbreaking film, died at the age of 43 as a result of complications related to colon cancer on Aug. 28, 2020.
While so many Black History Month events have been conducted virtually, this drive-in set up allows folks to gather in-person, safely, in the wake of a pandemic.
“Community Cinemas came to us with this unique and fun idea of a pop-up drive-in cinema event,” Landsman said. “It is an innovative and creative idea in these challenging times. We wanted to create a fun and inclusive evening and present Black Histor y as an uplifting event. Chadwick Boseman was a beautiful soul. He created a Black hero that will stay beloved and leaves an impor tant legacy to the community.”
Community Cinemas is the brainchild of newly formed organization County Collectives that is in the process of obtaining its official Federal 501c3 documentation to become an official nonprofit.
“After a summer I spent leading area protests and building capacity for diversity and inclusion work, I founded the nonprofit, County Collectives, in 2020 to address some of Boulder County’s most pressing issues,” said Hermine Ngnomire, president of County Collectives.
County Collectives isn’t solely focused on providing the community with entertainment during so many shutdowns.
“What differentiates us as an organization is that our leadership is youth and Bipoc-centered,” Ngnomire said. “The ideas from Black, Indigenous, People of Color and accomplices — ages 16 to 29 — lead the way at the County Collectives. Our mission is to ‘empower historically marginalized groups to positively lead and mobilize community transformation through youth-centered leadership, knowledge and opportunities for action.’”
On Dec. 31, Community Cinemas kicked of f the winter season with New Year’s Eve movies. On Jan. 29, the movie “Just Mercy” — that tells the true story of Walter Mcmillian, who, with the help of young defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, appeals his murder conviction — was screened. That night also included the first panel discussion held postfilm, with featured partner Colorado Immigrants Rights Coalition.
“Community Cinemas is an idea that came out of the innovation of our County Collectives ar ts team young adult leader, Isaiah Smith who had seen the successes of drive-in movies in the midst of COVID throughout California,” Ngnomire said. “Shameka Alford, a partner with Persona Inc., a womanand minority-owned full-ser vice advertising and events agency in the area, worked with her company and the County Collectives’ arts team to strategically elevate the idea to include more partners, offer fundraising opportunities to other nonprofits, integrate discussion and help bring the complete idea to fruition.”
Future films secured for the month of March include “Hidden Figures,” “My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown,” “Finding Nemo 3D,” Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Creed.”
On Feb. 5 2021— to kick off Black History Month — Community Cinemas screened the controversial 1974 American satirical Western “Blazing Saddles” and invited others to weight in on the film.
“The feedback for those in attendance has been outstanding with them appreciating having something to do that is safe and fun for their families and they appreciate the various perspectives that our discussion series provides them on the themes from each movie,” Ngnomire said.
Community Cinemas plans on showing movies every Friday in Longmont throughout February and March and then will take a break to explore other outdoor venues across the state, including Boulder County.
“Many municipalities and businesses have seen what Longmont has been doing and they love it — especially the discussion aspect,” said Ngnomire. “They want to find a way to also get involved and be a par t of the series.”
Afterthecreditsof“black Panther” roll, attendees can enjoy a virtual on-screen talkback with a variety of panelists including Dr. Sheila Davis, who has been active in implementing COVID-19 response and recovery efforts in the metro Denver region.
“We look for ward to a lively and timely discussion,” Landsman said. “This is a Black Histor y event focused not just on the past, but on thepresentandthefuture.”
Ten to 15% of all revenue from the drive-in event will go to the NAACP.
“’Black Panther’ is a great movie,” Ngnomire said. “What I am most excited about the programming is actually the conversation and discussion that follows. We asked the NAACP to close out Black Histor y Month for a reason. The NAACP, as an organization, has been a beacon of hope forsomanyamericansasit has worked in the last centur y to open the possibility for America to hold to its ideals and this discussion should give great insight into what the organization will continue to do in this next centur y.”
While there is no set agenda for the talkback, no topic is of f limits.
“I was struck by the blending of different African cultures — both realistic and fantastical — in the crafting of the movie…cos