Revitalizing Early "Race Films": From Silent to Provocative

Department: African American Studies

Date and Time: December 5, 2016 | 12:00 PM-2:00 PM

Event Location: UCI Contemporary Arts Center Colloquium Room (Claire Trevor School of the Arts)

Event Details


Artist talk and film screening with Renee Baker

Composer Renee Baker screens the film "Body and Soul," Oscar Micheaux's 1925 film, featuring the debut of actor/activist Paul Robeson with her new music.

About "Body and Soul": "the narrative doesn't rely solely on correcting racial stereotypes of the times. It delivers its message with a complex moral tinge that was frank and honest to the point where even the African American audience was shocked. Micheaux was a pioneering filmmaker who's reputation deserves rescuing from the 'race film' categorization." -- Don DiNicola, film producer

About Renee Baker: Violinist, composer, visual artist and poet, Renee Baker, has been at the extreme forefront of creative/avant garde music. As director of the Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, she utilizes some of Chicago's finest musicians in both classical and jazz to create a true genre bending experience.

Sponsored by UCI's Department of African American Studies and Department of Music