By Jeffery Kazembe Batts
A phenomenal Brooklyn raised film maker is “doing the right thing” and I don’t mean Spike Lee.
On Friday, December 29th over a hundred family, friends and community members packed the Anthology Film Archives in Manhattan to celebrate Kwanzaa and film maker, activist, and entrepreneur Tyrik Keyz Washington. Two short New Day Music Group produced films, “Under the Heavens” and “Gentrified Rick” were screened that captivated the audience with their creativity and messages.
It was ujamaa, cooperative economics, the fourth day of Kwanzaa, so to start the evening the Malika Imani Cultural Association set the atmosphere by displaying rhythmic dance and drumming.
Their performance followed the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Peggy Washington and preceded libations by Kazembe Batts. The Honorable Charles & Inez Barron shared stories about helping to raise Tyrik who is their godson. Luminaries such as media personalities Cheryl Wills & Milton Alminadi, as well as State Senator Jabari Brisport were in the building enjoying the culture while awaiting the films.
The first film “Under the Heavens” is a timeless film that highlights the recurring issue of police murder in the Black community.
Although the suspense is palatable as the film builds to a climax as we see a young Black man living his life with police all around. The ending is unexpected and stunning! “Nuff said”, you must see it. As the title implies the second film “Gentrified Rick” focuses on the problem of gentrification. Told through the eyes of two junior high school classmates the film is engaging and relatable. Suddenly it takes a sci-fi spin that totally compliments the storyline. Both films had excellent cinematography, editing and musical scores.
After the films, Tyrik and his NDMG team sat in the front of the theater and shared about the filmmaking process and plans of action. Television deals are in the works. While sharing after the films were viewed, Tyrik, son of prominent Brooklyn community leaders Peggy and Weusi Washington and winner of four Emmy and numerous other awards, gave a detailed overview of gentrification and his plans on confronting the issue starting in Newark, NJ.
The evening ended with the African tradition of food and networking and nowadays picture taking.
