The 2014 Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) opened on Thursday night at the historic Plaza Theatre with Director Deon Taylor’s film ‘Supremacy‘ starring activist actor Danny Glover. In 1992, Mr. Glover co-founded the PAFF with Ayuko Babu and Ja’net DuBois in order to to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Pan-African creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help destroy negative stereotypes.
The opening night film, Supremacy, is based on a true story. On the day he is paroled from prison, a white supremacist and his ruthless girlfriend kill a cop. While authorities cordon off the neighborhood, the couple breaks into a house and takes a black family hostage. Over a long night of terror, a subtle psychological struggle ensues between the family patriarch, an ornery ex-con himself, and the convict as the patriarch must rely on his wit and understanding of the racist mind to find a plan to free his family, but not before he confronts his own brand of bigotry and anger. Stars Danny Glover, Joe Anderson, Dawn Olivieri , Derek Luke, Evan Ross, Lela Rochon, Mahershala Ali and Anson Mount. Danny Glover gives us a stellar performance as does the ensemble cast. I was particularly impressed by Lelo Rochon’s portrayal.
The film, which was extremely well received by the attendees, was followed by a lively Q&A session with director Deon Taylor and Danny Glover. Also attending was producer Ephraim Salaam Director Deon Taylor indicated a year-end release date. Look out for it!
About Pan African Film Festival
Established in 1992, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a non-profit 501(c)(b) corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding among peoples of African descent. PAFF is dedicated to racial tolerance through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression.