Screening: Mumia, Long Distance Revolutionary
Wednesday, March 20th 2013  9:55pm
Oakland, CA

http://www.mumia-the-movie.com

Before he was convicted of murdering a policeman in 1981 and sentenced to die, Mumia Abu-Jamal was a gifted journalist and brilliant writer. Now after more than 30 years in prison and despite attempts to silence him, Mumia is not only still alive but continuing to report, educate, provoke and inspire. Mumia has authored several books from Death Row including Live From Death Row, All Things Censored, We Want Freedom, and Jailhouse Lawyers. He has also written and broadcasted more than 3,000 commentaries around the world on Prison Radio. Stephen Vittoria's new feature documentary Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary is an inspiring portrait of a man whom many consider to be America's most famous political prisoner - a man whose existence tests our beliefs about freedom of expression.. Through prison interviews, archival footage, and dramatic readings, and aided by a potent chorus of voices including Cornel West, Alice Walker, Dick Gregory, Angela Davis, Rubin Hurricane Carter, Amy Goodman and others, this riveting film explores Mumia's life before, during and after Death Row – revealing, in the words of Angela Davis, "the most eloquent and most powerful opponent of the death penalty in the world...the 21st Century Frederick Douglass." Others compare him to Dylan and Tupac saying, “There are a handful of writers that seem to really, really resonate – for some reason that tends to be Mumia, Tupac, and Bob Dylan.” (Jerry Quickley) Stephen Vittoria’s last feature documentary, One Bright Shining Moment: The Forgotten Summer of George McGovern won top honors at the Sarasota Film Festival as “Best Documentary Feature” and was released nationwide by First Run Features. In 1987, Vittoria wrote, directed, and edited his first film, the dramatic feature Black & White, starring Kim Delgado and Frank Vincent – a story about racism set against the backdrop of post-World War II America. In 1995, Vittoria produced, wrote, and directed Hollywood Boulevard, starring John C. McGinley, Jon Tenney, and Julianne Phillips – a dark and satirical look at the motion picture business. Recently, Vittoria was a producer on two feature documentaries by Academy Award winner Alex Gibney: Gonzo: The Life & Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson and Magic Trip: Ken Kesey’s Search for a Kool Place. Vittoria is the founder and creative director of his Los Angeles-based production company Street Legal Cinema. One day, Steve hopes to play centerfield for the New York Yankees. He lives in Los Angeles (under protest).

Location:
New Parkway Theater
474 24th Street
Oakland, CA

Sponsored By:
Labor Action Committee, Prison Radio