The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
Tag:

Raoul Peck

EntertainmentFilmThe LatestVideo

Exclusive: Director Raoul Peck Talks New Documentary Film ‘Ernest Cole: Lost and Found’ [Video]

by Zipporah Pruitt December 14, 2024
written by Zipporah Pruitt

We spoke with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro) about his latest documentary Ernest Cole: Lost and Found released on November 22, 2024.

Continue Reading
December 14, 2024 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
EntertainmentFilmThe LatestVideo

Raoul Peck’s Silver Dollar Road Unearths a Family’s Fight for Land Rights

by Branda Ayo October 5, 2023
written by Branda Ayo

Variety Gotham Week kicked off with a screening of Raoul Peck’s latest documentary Silver Dollar Road on Monday, Oct. 2 in partnership with Amazon Studios at the Angelika Film Center. Silver Dollar Road is a documentary film directed by Raoul Peck that tells the story of the Reels family in North Carolina and their decades-long battle to reclaim their ancestral land. The film sheds light on the historical injustices faced by Black families in America regarding land ownership.

The film is told through family matriarchs Mamie Reels Ellison and her niece Kim Renee Duhon who continue fighting for their families’ land even after their brothers and uncles Melvin and Licurtis are wrongfully imprisoned. Melvin and Licurtis become two of the longest-serving inmates for civil contempt in the country spending close to eight years behind bars for refusing to give up their property. Their struggle is a reflection of the broader challenges faced by Black communities across the country. Something that was once seen as invaluable has now become a commodity and the Reels stood in the way of that greed. Despite living on the land & raising their families, they were deemed inferior to those who only saw the land as property and possession.

Courtesy of Prime Video

Raoul Peck joined Variety Gotham Week for a Q&A following the film. During the Q&A he emphasized the importance of authenticity, empathy, and the enduring impact of the film. Peck highlighted his intention not to overly stylize the documentary but rather allow the Reels family to be themselves. He stressed the need to protect both the people involved in the film and the protagonist, ensuring that their story was portrayed with integrity. His goal was to avoid depicting the family as victims and, instead, to present them as parents, uncles, and human beings. By doing so, he aimed to create a connection with the audience, so that when the dramatic moments unfolded, the empathy would still be central.

Peck touched upon the broader context of land ownership and deprivation, a theme that extends beyond the Reels family’s experience. He noted that many people have come from land somewhere and were deprived of it, often involving their parents. This phenomenon is not confined to rural areas but also manifests in cities through gentrification, where marginalized communities are pushed out.

Courtesy of Prime Video

In the context of Beaufort, North Carolina, where the film is primarily set, Peck noted that the town’s residents generally know each other, implying a sense of familiarity and community. However, beneath this surface of familiarity lies a deeper issue related to racial and economic disparities. This is where the power structure comes into play.

Peck observed that despite the close-knit nature of the community, the Black population in Beaufort was disproportionately affected by land dispossession. These disparities reflect a broader pattern in America that particularly affects Black Americans and their access to economic justice. In his own words, Peck emphasized that the film isn’t just a story but a lasting memory. He didn’t want the film to be a detached narrative but he also wanted people to care for the characters as much as he did.

 

Silver Dollar Road will be available to stream on Prime Video 10/20 and open for viewing 10/13 in select theaters

October 5, 2023 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
FeaturedFilmThe Latest

Interview: Director Raoul Peck Talks ‘I Am Not Your Negro’

by Bageot Dia January 29, 2017
written by Bageot Dia

The man of color has faced perpetual conflict for as long as he has been. Standing over the abysmal void, adorning his shackles, he is a man that has known tragedy.

Continue Reading
January 29, 2017 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
FilmThe Latest

Ezra Edelman, Raoul Peck, Reagan Gomez & Keith Maitland Talk Gotham Awards

by Staff December 5, 2016
written by Staff

The award for Best Documentary went to O.J.: Made in America, Ezra Edelman’s epic saga.

Continue Reading
December 5, 2016 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

[button content=”Digital Cover No. 19″ color=”black” text=”white” url=”https://theknockturnal.com/mason-gooding-heart-eyes-interview/” openin=”_self”]

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch