Three documentaries (28 minutes each)

ABOUT THE FILMS:

Romare Bearden: Visual Jazz
Hosted by Wynton Marsalis
Created and Produced by Linda Freeman
Written and Directed by David Irving

A bold, brilliant artist, Romare Bearden created collages and paintings of stunning humanity in which he aimed to do nothing less than “redefine the image of man” in terms of the African-American experience.
The documentary is narrated by Wynton Marsalis who masterfully draws parallels between jazz and the art of Romare Bearden. The documentary also treats viewers to rare footage of Bearden at work in his studio while he explains, in his own words, what he doing as he creates.Other guests and commentators include: Marilyn Kushner, Curator of Drawings and Prints at the Brooklyn Museum; Robert Blackburn, Master Printmaker; Jeffrey Bergen, President of ACA

Jacob Lawrence: The Glory of Expression
Narrated by Ossie Davis
Created and Produced by Linda Freeman
Written and Directed by David Irving

A documentary about the life and work of Jacob Lawrence, one of America’s great painters, the first African-American to be represented by a New York City gallery. Emphasis is placed on the epic narratives he painted about the struggles of the African-American people. Central to the documentary is the attention given to the emotional aspects of the process of creating art as well as the importance of motivation and determination for success.

Betye and Alison Saar: Conjure Women of the Arts
Created and Produced by Linda Freeman
Written and Directed by David Irving

This documentary examines the personal and artistic relationship between artist Betye Saar and daughter Alison Saar. The artists’ enthusiasm and originality make for an engaging and wonderful documentary. It shows both artists working in their studios, discussing their influences, and collaborating on the installation piece, House of Gris Gris.
Since 1987, artist and filmmaker, Linda Freeman has been producing a series of multi-cultural documentaries on very accomplished African-American artists. Her Documentaries shows the artist’s perspective and personal achievements as the artist creates a work of art while demonstrating and explaining the creative process from the inspiration that led to the creation of an image, the preliminary translation of the idea to the canvas, and then the development from that initial translation to a finished piece of art. Most important is the documentaries’ stress on the artists’ message that determination, motivation and perseverance are keys to success.

Arlé Sklar-Weinstein, Guest Curator