Film Celebrates Beauty of African American Art

Documentary Explores Vibrant Imagery and ‘Dark’ Past of Black Artists

While the subject of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s is no stranger to film and television, for the first time the struggles of Black visual artists are being told through an exciting new documentary entitled “Colored Frames.”  The film, directed by Lerone D. Wilson and produced by Nonso Christian Ugbode, was recently released for free viewing online.

“Colored Frames” chronicles the struggles of African American artists for visibility and acceptance over the past 75 years. The dark tales of racism and oppression in the art world from a variety of artists young and old is counterbalanced by the vibrant imagery of their works, which range in style from impressionistic collage to abstract surrealism. “It was important that rather than simply being a collection of nice pictures, the film at the same time explore the core of the African American experience both historically, and today. Only this way can the audience truly understand and appreciate these works,” said Wilson. Ugbode added, “I’m not saying good films haven’t been made, but I believe that there is room in the celebration of Black History for new interpretations of that history. If only because history up until recently has been documented by the same people.”

This marriage of striking imagery, with honest discussion of the artist’s role in the modern sociopolitical climate, is underscored by the experimental jazz stylings of French born pianist and composer Magali Souriau and her world famous trio in a first-time collaboration with cellist/composer Lenae Harris. Rather than a traditional scoring of the film, the artists were asked to respond to a series of thoughts and artistic images from the film; the resulting film score is as unique and flavorful as the visual images seen on screen.

The importance of the film is underscored by the recent death of legendary artist Benny Andrews, to whom the film is dedicated. “Colored Frames” serves not only as an entertainment piece, but also as a social document which brings to the forefront the works of a long ignored people. As Andrews states in the film, the goal of the artist is to pass forward the influences of others. “Colored Frames” is the realization of Andrews’ words. It acknowledges Black art as a vibrant and much-alive cornucopia of strong themes, vibrant ideas, and ‘colored frames.’

Boondoggle Films is the brainchild of esteemed filmmaker Lerone D. Wilson, a New York University graduate holding degrees in both Film & Television, and Economics. He served as Executive Producer, Director, and Editor of ‘Colored Frames’, his 3rd long length documentary film. This is a first time documentary collaboration between himself and Producer Nonso Christian Ugbode, a native
of Nigeria, West Africa and an accomplished theater director, also an NYU alumnus.

You can watch the film online at http://www.boondogglefilms.com/coloredframes.php

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