Film Series Tackles 'Colorism' at Bed Stuy's Billie Holiday Theatre

In conjunction with the upcoming production of “Yellowman,” a new play from Dael Orlandersmith that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, the recently revamped Billie Holiday Theatre at RestorationART is presenting a parallel relevant film series concerning the idea of colorism.

Both explore prejudice within the black community based on skin tone.

“A Look Back at Colorism: A Screening Series,” opens on Sunday, April 8 with Spike Lee’s 1988 film “School Daze,” about race relations on a college campus. The presentation of the film coincides with the 30th anniversary of the film, which Fort Greene native Lee both stars in and directs.

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The following weekend, on April 15, there will be a screening of Douglas Sirk’s landmark 1959 melodrama “Imitation of Life,” starring Lana Turner and Juanita Moore, the former nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the film.

Also screening later the same day is a 1934 version of the film directed by John M. Stahl with a screenplay by William Hurlbut.

A community town hall will take place before each screening. All events are free and open to the public. RSVP here.

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