Roxbury International Film Festival – 27 years of joy filled movies for Boston
Welcome back to Studio 8-8-9, I’m DJ MO WILKS
Summer in Boston is thankfully in full effect. Cookouts, road trips, gatherings with friends and family increase as does the signalling of the summer film season. I’m not referencing the summer blockbuster series season, although there appear to be some super offerings taking filmgoers to worlds of the past and future.
I’m talking about the third week in June when supporters of films which celebrate and showcase works of and by filmmakers of color, the Roxbury International Film Festival, offers a platform for stories often overlooked in mainstream media. Celebrating its 27th season, 27, 1998, things were different and somewhat similar to today.
Politically, socially, economically. Movies released included:
How Stella Got Her Groove Back: based on Terry McMillan’s novel, starring Angela Bassett.
He Got Game a Spike Lee Film starring Denzel Washington. They’re doing another film now. Highest 2 Lowest old to the new. Indie black films: Slam is a 1998 featuring Saul Williams. Down in the Delta, Drylongso in Oakland in 1998 by Cauleen Smith 22 days of shooting editing for 3 years. The film “Drylongso” is pronounced dry-long-so. I am sitting down with Lisa Simmons of Roxbury International Film Festival to discuss the film festival’s journey, what keeps the passion fresh to continue after over 25 plus years and a peek at what to expect.
Welcome to Studio 8-8-9, thanks for joining me, Lisa Simmons. Congratulations Happy Juneteenth as well.
