What did happen... Miss Simone?

   As many of you know the highly anticipated biographical documentary about legendary soul singer Nina Simone's life, career, and legacy has been released on Netflix this past week.

    We are in an era of cinema of telling and retelling, we are in love with film adaptation of existing stories such as novel, plays, and comic books; and we are obsessed with the unveiling of hidden truths. The biopic, historical film, and documentary family of film is flourishing in recent years with films such as Amy, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and even the television film Whitney. We as viewers have the urge to know the truth behind the smoke and mirrors of celebrity, what makes the icon who they are/were, and we want to feel the deep connection to the people we idolize though we do not know them. We also want to be apart of that drama. Are films of the biographical genre exploitative? Why yes, of course. These films are uncovering personal trauma and deep emotions for the sake of entertainment and are, in the name of entertainment, playing up the drama stylistically. In Cinema every time we create a film we are creating a new reality even if it is showcasing a reality already in existence. Cinema creates a new world for viewers to become consumed by and to believe in through and through for those 90-120 minutes.

     Upon watching "What Happened, Miss Simone" I knew very little about Nina Simone. I knew that she was a legend for her sultry voice and piano skills. I recently had learned briefly of her battles with mental health through the indie film "Dear Nina", but still did not know much.

     This film is a beautifully composed tale of Nina Simone's life and experiences using archival footage from past interviews and performances, photos, and current interviews from people who were close to Nina including her only child, her daughter. The interviews from Nina herself were pure gold, they are the stem to this film as she is telling her passions throughout life, her ideals and philosophies, her mission, the career she wanted to pursue and how things turned out. We learned of her tumultuous relationship with husband and manager from archival interviews with him, and of course we were very much informed of her battle with mental health and her diagnosis with Manic Depression/Bipolar Disorder. What seemed to be unbenounced to many of her fans was that Nina Simone had dreams of becoming a classical pianist, the first Black Woman Classical Pianist. However she was denied a scholarship to the Curtis institute of music. In order to pay for schooling and support her family she had perform at night clubs, which eventually catapulted her music career.

    Overall, "What Happened, Miss Simone" is a beautiful look into Nina Simone's life and career, a moving, chilling, and inspirational story. I highly recommend watching it.

Keith Haring Exhibit at the TBD Art Gallery

Keith Haring Exhibit at the TBD Art Gallery from Kearah Armonie on Vimeo.

Nearing the end of the exhibition I visited TBD(https://www.facebook.com/tbdxles) for their Closing Reception and Celebration of Keith Haring's life and legacy. None of the materials used in this short (footage/music) are for promotional use.

Why you should watch "The Act of Killing"

The Act of killing follows former “gangsters” who are responsible for aiding a Genocide during the 1960’s in Indonesia. At this time they helped the military in killing thousands of presumed communist. Their government was in complete military control at the time and the details of this genocide have been overlooked at the time. However, the act of killing is not a simply retelling of what has happened we following these gangster as they recruit actors, extras, design a set and props and put together reenactments of the killings they did to create a film. They are more than willing to reminisce and reveal the many ways they’ve killed people, this film they are creating also seems to have pleasant comic relief with strange dance sequences and cross-dressing. We even get a character profile of who seems to be the most charismatic of the criminals we meet, Anwar Congo. Congo has the most camera time and his personal reflection is manipulated at the end to help viewers come to a conclusion, an element used in many documentaries. 

      What I think makes this film so critically acclaimed are those many elements, this film is very layered and we a given true raw stories, that a graphic, and represented visually, and the “characters” are open. However, the story itself is disgusting. The men we meet clearly lacked morality and seem as if they still do. Many times Anwar has said “I did it because I had to”, He describes the best ways to kill someone without seeming remorseful. Though, as the actor in recreating the killing for their film he felt terrified as if he was really going to be killed there is no way he could possibly feel what any  the “communists” he killed ever felt. When the other militia men reminisce on burning down villages, and raping young women I felt the urge to vomit and cry; which is exactly what Anwar did in that very last sequence. This film is where the exploitation of documentary film is exemplified. Here we have murderer willing to admit their murder, this film is structured beautifully but in reality this is a terrible story. There is no answer to this, no “right” way to go about it. All stories and narratives are important to be told, and in terms of film it is incredibly innovative that we are hearing from the “bad guys” instead of historians or “experts” who have done a lot of research.

"Don't Believe the Hype!: the Story of The Modern Day Bohemian" is back !! or something like that

"The Documentary photographer" a DBTH short from Kearah Armonie on Vimeo.

      In society “artist” is not a job description, it is not a lifestyle, instead it is considered a hobby. Art is not something you are supposed to purse in college or even in life as a career. If you tell someone what you do and the answer is something solely artistic they would probably ask you again, probably ask you what your profession is; as if job title stands alone from whom the person truly is. “Don’t believe the Hype: The story of the Modern Day ‘Bohemian’”. Bohemian: a slang term used to describe a person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices. Stemming from the word describing people of Bohemia (ancient Czech Republic) who were thought to be Gypsies. Although this word seems like a slur, there are people who identify as such. Artists like myself and people I associate with are just doing what we love but also face harsh criticism because of it. DBTH is going to challenge these cruel interpretations of who young artists are and what we do. Profiling and following the lives of musicians, poets, actors, etc.; including 5 main people or groups/collectives this film is going to be a 45 to 60 minute journey, filmed over the course of 6 months.

 Help FUND this project here : http://www.gofundme.com/kearmonie

Springtime hits Brooklyn

It was a beautiful beginning to Spring Break, my friend and aspiring photographer Allegra Earle hit Williamsburg for a quick photoshoot:

#FearandRace The fear of Black Men in America

    Today NPR is taking this discussion to Twitter with NPR/CodeSwitch correspondents Gene Demby and Michel Martin, inviting listeners to join the conversation using the hashtag #FearandRace.
    It is easy to say that we are targeted, especially Black men. Earlier today I was asked "How do you preserve when you're black and the world lives to see you perish?". My response: This is something that I would actually like to have a forum on. I've noticed Black girls say that they are afraid to have children more specifically boys, and that is sad. Personally, I am the exact opposite. I hope the lord blesses me with TEN nappy headed brown skin boys. In a society that is trying to kill us all we have to do is live, and be great. But that all comes from within, it is self love. We have to love and believe in ourselves and support one another. Racism is trying to kill us but racism is also trying to convince us that we are expendable. Trust in this life that has been given to you and believe that you are here for a reason, we all are. 
     However when it comes to the racism against us what we can really do is talk about, make sure everyone is aware of what is happening. Which is exactly what Michel Martin did on MPR in two interviews this week. 
       Here Martin talks to author and Georgetown University Law professor Paul butler about his experiences:




http://www.npr.org/2015/03/31/396415737/societys-fear-of-black-men-and-its-consequences

When that Kendrick Lamar album is the greatest thing you've heard since that last Kendrick Lamar album

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      Just two weeks ago Kendrick Lamar announced the release of his third album to be March 16th, and at that point it was "Untitled" *cue eye roll*. But listeners were surprised on March 16th at midnight to see Kendrick's album has been released digitally with no promo, though we knew of this album it's safe to say he "pulled a Beyonce`". Twitter was swarming with #ToPimpAButterfly tweets commending its introspection, innovation and musical progression. By 12:01 hundreds of hip-hop heads were convinced that this album is a classic. Kendrick done did it, two classic albums.

      Just a few months ago this album's first single "i" received a lot of mixed feelings. The "Who's That Lady" sample and "I Love Myself" chant make up a funky upbeat positive record, which some people(including myself) just could not get hip to. A few weeks ago he released "The Blacker the Berry" which received harsh criticism as Kendrick refers to himself as a "hypocrite" for taking part in gang activity and killing other Blacks, as if that is suppose excuse racist acts against us. This made me quite reluctant in listening to the new album but upon it's release, and all the buzz, I had to add this to my library and give it my ears.

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     This album is a funky, prophetic, and an unprecedented peek into Kendrick's mind; as well as an opportunity to evaluate one's self. It is not about Kendrick more than it is about all of us. Kendrick did this for the kids, for Black people everywhere, for young Black men everywhere. I don't sense a change as an artist but progression. Standout tracks include the intro "Wesley's Theory" a look at America's capitalism and Black people in debt(like Wesley Snipes), "King Kunta", "Alright", and "Complexion". If I was to rate those tracks a 5, then every other song on this album is a 4/4.5. It is a solid body of work. "i" makes so much more sense while listening to "To Pimp A Butterfly" in it's entirety, especially as a first single. This album is everything Kendrick was reaching for on tracks like "The Heart pt. 2", "HiiiPower", "Sing About Me", etc. It is everything we love about Kendrick, he constantly raises the bar. 

      SPOILER ALERT

      If you haven't listened to this entire this project, straight through, in one sitting; I'll just assume you are incredibly busy and haven't had the time yet. But anyway, lets get into this final track. "Mortal Man". "Mortal Man" challenges exactly what the title states as Kendrick sings "When shit hits the fan will you still be a fan?". On this track he references Michael Jackson and all of the controversy that followed that man stating "He gave us Billie Jean, you still think he touched those kids?". The end of this song is the cherry on top, an interview between Kendrick Lamar and Tupac Shakur, a conversation rather. The Tupac soundbites were flawlessly sampled and spliced with questions/responses from Kendrick. This jaw-dropping, eye opening, tear jerking conversation is the perfect close to this project. (More info HERE)

     Now, with all that said here comes the big BUT. I don't particularly favor this album. I get it, and I am appreciative but I don't love it. It doesn't have the effect on me that good kid m.A.A.d City did, but maybe it isn't supposed to. Maybe this album just lacks the car bumping, brainwashing repetition and sophisticated ignorance we all flock to so often. This album is social commentary, this album is Black Love.

#ToPimpAButterfly is for us and it is necessary.

1 year Loc Update

Recapping on what I've done with my hair over this time and what I plan to do

The Oscars and your everyday racism

Three of the most trending celebrity names from the evening: Patricia Arquette, John Legend, and Zendaya.

     Now to begin with Patricia Arquette. Upon receiving an Oscar for her role in "Boyhood" she ending her thank you's with a shout out to women across this country who are underpaid for the hard work. Statistics have proven that men do earn more than women and Patricia's statement calls for Equal pay.
Watch here:


     The problem is she does not seem to be standing up for other groups who are discriminated against in the work force like Blacks and Gays. She even makes a slippery slope kind of point stating : "We have fought for everybody else's equal rights". Almost to say "enough of that Marriage equality or equal opportunity jazz, it's OUR turn" The OUR being White women. This is what is referred to as white feminism. White women fighting for equal rights but not acknowledging that they still reap the benefits of being white. It is clear that a white woman will be awarded equal pay before a queer, Black woman for example; that doesn't seem to be clear to Ms. Arquette.



Now moving on to John Legend. His collabo with Common "Glory" from the "Selma" soundtrack was awarded best original song. Watch here:



In his acceptance speech he stated "The struggle for justice is right now". "There are more men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850". Now there are people responding to this with the that fact there are more Black people in this country now than during the times of slavery, in terms of statistics and percentages. But why does that matter? All that matters is exactly what John legend said, we are the most incarcerated nation. The fight for freedom and justice is still alive and that needs to be acknowledged, not numbers. This speech is a tad funny because all of those white people who were jumping out of their seats for Patricia Arquette's speech had no reaction to John Legend's.



Closing with Ms. Zendaya.

     The 18 year old Disney kid decided to rock Loc Extensions for the evening. I've posted a how-to HERE. Personally as creator of I LOVE Box Braids I absolutely adore seeing celebrities wearing protective hairstyles. As far as hair goes I feel that the synthetic hair she used was very shiny, she should have went with human, and the burnt ends are tacky, whoever did her hair could have done the method I and so many others have used. Aside from that the style looked very nice on her and was beautifully done.
Giuliana Rancic of Fashion Police felt otherwise. Stating that Zendaya looks as if she smells of patchouli oil and weed. This is a direct prejudice o towards locs, and you know who has locs? Black people. This was immediately taken as an attack on Black hair, and Zendaya responded respectfully.

   It's kind of funny how Zendaya's statement in "defense" of her loc extensions is exactly why certain people didn't like the hairstyle when it started to get really popular a few years back. She says locs are a symbol of strength and beauty, yet hers are fake. Either way people are loving faux locs now-a-days and I totally support Zendaya's hair choice and response.

   Rancic soon apologized via E! News' youtube. In a kind way stated that she is sorry for perpetuating stereotypes. I don't care for this apology. The Fashion Police crew have always been shady and I don't think the offensive comments are going to stop. She is only apologizing because the internet called her racist. Basically. You can watch the apology video HERE.

The Game: #iamonestudent

This video is necessary, in terms of rape on college campuses and everywhere.  Find out more about "One Student" at their website http://onestudent.org/