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About the Film:
The film is based on an original story by Carl Gordon (a graduate
of the USC School of Cinema), about students who attend the
mythical University of the 'Hood. Students from the University
put their lives on the line to liberate their community besieged
by a host of social ills.
The story
unfolds on campus, the surrounding community and the local
African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). In their struggle
to protect the children and reclaim their community, they
are confronted with what seem to be insurmountable forces
(government and criminal) that they must overcome. The film
underscores the themes of courage and determination -- historically
strong African-American characteristics.
We can
only describe MINDAJHA (min day shu) DISRAELI, the main character,
as an earth angel. She leads here fellow students and the
audience on an extraordinary odyssey. She draws her strength
from great African-American women of the civil and human rights
struggle.
Mindajha
has the tenacity and spirituality of Sojourner Truth, and
Harriet Tubman. She has the will and fortitude of Ida B. Wells-Barnett,
and Mary McLeod Bethune. Mindajha is Imbued with the grit
and determination of Fannie Lou Hamer and the compassion and
humanity of Marian Write Edelmen and Dr. Dorothy Height. She
displays the courage and dignity of Corretta Scott King, Dr.
Betty Shabazz, Myrlie Evers, and Camille Cosby. Ms Disraeli
articulates her ideals as eloquently and intelligently as
Maya Angeleou, Toni Morrison, and Nikki Giovanni. Mindajha
possesses the pride, the spirit,
and the willingness to fight for her convictions as strongly
as Angela Davis and Maxine Waters. She exhibits the soulful
talent of Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, Patty LaBell, and
Ms. Aretha Franklin.
Mindajha
is a composite of all the beautiful women above. She stands
on the shoulders of all those who have and those that continue
to fight for the rights of the oppressed and against evil.
This is
a story of our times, universal, yet unique, told from a Black
perspective. It is about bravery and the willingness to stand
by one's convictions in the face of adversity. Finally, it
is about the redemptive power of love and the principles of
Love Power Each One Teach One. And, that we all are truly
our brother's keepers.
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