FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Film Premiere About Race
Brings Community Together
Historically Segregated Theater Hosts Mayor, NAACP, County Officials
and First Majority Black Audience for the Premiere of Racial Taboo
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – October 2, 2013 – Wave Communications Films’ premiere of Racial Taboo was held at City Stage Theater, a historically segregated theater built in 1914 in a building that had its cornerstone laid six months after the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898. The September 27th and 28th event was opened up by stand-up comedians, Kyle Grooms and Dustin Chafin and concluded with a panel of local dignitaries and members of the cast.
Racial Taboo is a documentary film that looks at why Americans find it difficult to talk about race and how that can be changed. The film’s trailer can be viewed at www.RacialTaboo.com. Because of the expected attendance for this film and the limited 220 seating capacity of the theater, the film’s premier was held over two nights.
The first night had a majority black audience in a theater that has a history of segregation, and that is located in a part of town typically not frequented by the black community. The second night had an equally racially mixed audience. Both nights saw very spirited audience discussions with the panels. The panel on the first night consisted of local dignitaries including the Mayor, DA, Republican and Democratic Party Chairs and two NAACP Presidents. The second night’s panel included members of the cast and the evening’s comedians.
“We laughed together, watched a movie together and talked with each other – even expressing our hurt on this subject. The high attendance on both nights combined with participation by local officials including Wilmington’s Mayor and the NAACP Presidents points to broad community support for this film and the need to talk about this subject,” said Brian Grimm, the film’s Director.
“The subject of race in America is a very serious matter. However, what we have been doing for the past 150 years has not brought the black and white communities closer together. We took a significant risk and used nationally-known stand-up comedians from New York City to change that dynamic at the premiere of Racial Taboo. This approach certainly got people talking. After all, comedy would not be funny without an element of truth,” continued Grimm.
Media Contact
Wave Communications Films
Brian Grimm
910.616.5200
Comments are closed.