One World Cinema

Born in Harlem, New York City in 1927, Singer, Actor,  Civil, Humanitarian and Political Rights Activist, Harry Belafonte,  has heard the cries of the oppressed and has never hesitated to answer. By using cinema as a force for raising awareness to help defend and protect Human Rights, Harry Belafonte graciously shares his life’s work in “Sing Your Song,” written and directed by Susanne Rostock, at the 22nd Annual Human Rights Watch Film Festival at Lincoln Center, June 16-30, 2011.  “Sing Your Song” received rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival back in January, and will be airing on HBO this fall.

For just one moment imagine you are being told where you can and can’t sit, that you can’t vote, and that you can’t touch someone of another race. Imagine screaming at the top of your lungs begging for change and no one hears your cry.  Now, meet someone who takes on all your struggles as if they were your own.

Harry Belafonte’s father abandoned his mother shortly after his birth. At a young age he found comfort and social truth at the American Negro Theater, found inspiration in Marlon Brando, Sidney Poitier, Tony Curtis, and Huddie Ledbetter, and battled racist resistance along side of Sammy Davis, Jr., Nat King Cole, Lena Horne, Quincy Jones and Ruby Dee, while gravitating to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s, philosophy of brotherhood and nonviolence, the March on Washington 1963, and Nelson Mandela’s fight to end apartheid.

Article by Sharon Abella

http://www.1worldcinema.wordpress.com

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