Detroit: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 – Amakisi Unlimited, LLC presents the SACRED WATERS Spirituality Film Festival on Friday, October 19, 2007 (6 pm ~ 10 pm) and Saturday, October 20, 2007 (12 pm ~ 10 pm) at the Johanson Charles Gallery, 1345 Division Street, Historic Eastern Market District, Detroit, MI 48207.
Last spring Amakisi Unlimited LLC successfully produced the first film festival in Michigan featuring films by or about women of color (DETROIT WOMEN OF COLOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ~ April 2007). This fall Amakisi Unlimited LLC will bring another groundbreaking film festival to the city of Detroit. The SACRED WATERS Spirituality Film Festival is the first spirituality film festival in Michigan. The SACRED WATERS takes an authentic look at the rhythm, beauty, pain, growth, healing, loss, transformation, love, hate, and joy of life through award winning films and videos from around the world.
Several exciting films will premiere in Detroit. They Could Fly (Kajstura/USA/2006) winner of the 2007 Top Ten Films in America, winner of Best Short 2007 Montclair International Film Festival, and the winner of the Best Overall Film in the Texas Black Film Festival. They Could Fly tells the magical African American folk tale which uses the period of American slavery, as a stage to show how people can survive and overcome the most extreme experiences by the power of their own will.
Kanyini (Hogan/Austrailia/2007) voted “best documentary” at the London Australian Film Festival 2007 and the Discovery Channel’s Best Documentary Award. Kanyini is a powerful film about the remarkable life and philosophy of Bob Randall, an elder of the Yankunytjatjara people of Uluru in Central Australia. ‘Uncle Bob’ tells his people’s heart-breaking story with honesty, love, gentleness and strength. His journey demonstrates the errant beauty and incredible value of cultural uniqueness.
Andrea Wiley’s Soulmate (Wiley/USA/2007) has received top honors at numerous film festivals including Best Documentary at the Hollywood Black Film Festival, Best Feature Film and Audience Choice Award at the African American Women In Film Festival in New York City and Best Documentary in the San Francisco Christian Film Festival.
Burgeoning filmmaker Calmthesis is making his film festival debut with Taking a Step Back from Forgiveness (Calmthesis/USA/2007). This compelling short examines the challenge that two brothers face when confronted with an apology from the killer of their father.
SACRED WATERS SPIRITUALITY FILM FESTIVAL features films and videos that challenge, elevate, entertain, and inspire the viewer. The diverse range of international films go beyond the boundaries of mainstream media and open your mind and spirit.
“My goal is to use art as a tool of empowerment and healing in our community,” says film festival director, Oyatunde Amakisi, “These are high quality films that entertain and allow the viewer to walk in someone else’s shoes. Spirituality is such a personal journey that transcends religion. Hopefully this will expand our understanding of others and ourselves.”
There is an eclectic blend of exciting films featured in the film festival. The world renown documentary “Cidade das Mulheres”, City of Women (Lázaro Faria/Brazil/2005) winner of the Best Feature and Best Documentary (32nd Jomada Internacional Cinema da Bahia, 2005) returns by popular demand. City of Women explores Candomble, a diaspora religion with roots in Africa, that empowers and gives a voice to women of color in Brazil. Living Luminaries: On the Serious Business of Happiness (Karnarsky/USA/2007) features Dali Lama, Marianne Williamson, and Michael Bechwith (The Secret). Geronimo Ji Jaga (a.k.a. Geronimo Pratt), the Black Panther sometimes described as America’s Nelson Mandela, makes a unique appearance. Zen Noir (Rosenbush/USA/2004) winner of the Best Feature Film in the Moondance Film Festival, D.C. Independent Film Festival Grand Jury Award, and the Rhode Island International Film Festival Audience Award Best Feature. Zen Noir is a murder mystery for those not afraid to think. For a complete listing of films please visit our website at http://spiritualityfilms1.tripod.com.
Our sponsors include WDET 101.9 FM, Cinema Café, the Detroit Events Team, the Michigan Citizen, Afrikan Spirit Cards, Gemini Technical Essentials, G. Bailey Winston Enterprise, Desserts by Mandisa’s Sweet Treats, A.D. Woodward Associates, and the Johanson Charles Gallery.
Please visit our website for more information and a complete listing of films at http://spiritualityfilms1.tripod.com
Amakisi Unlimited LLC
Amakisi Unlimited LLC is a Detroit based company that utilizes art as a tool of empowerment and healing through enriching cultural programs. Creator and CEO Oyatunde Amakisi envisions Amakisi Unlimited LLC as a multifaceted company that facilitates unique entertaining venues for the community that educate and inspire men, women, and children of all races and economic backgrounds to work cooperatively to create positive change in our community. Amakisi Unlimited LLC has a strong history in Detroit, and has consistently supported and featured the extraordinary talents of national and local artists in its programming.
