If you're in Los Angeles any time during this year, you might want to check out "Perpetuatin' Realism," the latest cinema series held by The American Cinematheque. The group, which seeks to build a diverse and engaged film community through immersive film curation, conversation, and presentation, is launching a year-long programming that celebrates 1990's Black films and how they sought to present Black friendships, lives, and humanity in ways that mainstream media didn't always allow for.

The cinema series will be kicked off with a red carpet and special screening of 1991's New Jack City at the Regency Westwood Village Theatre on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Director Mario Van Peebles, marking his return after New Jack City's premiere at the same theater 30 years prior.

New Jack City, released four days after news outlets released the video of LAPD officers beating Rodney King, sparked a wave of protests after many Black audience members were turned away on opening night due to the film being overbooked.

In addition to New Jack City, other films in the series include Spike Lee's Clockers, The Hughes Brothers' Menace II Society, F. Gary Gray's Set It Off, Darnell Martin's I Like It Like That, and Reginald Hudlin's House Party. Accompanying the special screenings are panels featuring topics such as "Fear of a Black Audience" and "The Ratchet and the Real."

In a press release about the event, Ken Scherer, Executive Director of The American Cinematheque said:

"I'm excited to collaborate with a powerhouse of thought-leaders, scholars, curators and filmmakers that will build upon The American Cinematheque's rich history of using film as a tool to spark meaningful conversation and change. We will continue to listen, learn and grow as a cultural organization that values diverse voices in film."

For more information and updates about "Perpetuatin' Realism," check out The American Cinematheque's page on the event. We're excited to see what amazing films will be brought out next!

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