“A picture is worth a thousand words."  This expression captures the essence of why visual media is so enduring. While the aforementioned expression was aimed at still pictures—the meaning nevertheless translates to film as well.

Scene from "125 Franco's Boulevard" (Harlem Library Cinema Series)Documentary filmmakers know the power of this interaction and so lock onto it to convey the message that they want us to understand, consider and contemplate. Afro-Pop, a series of documentary films from the NBPC (National Black Programming Consortium) is a perfect example. Afro-Pop is a program that features the works of documentary filmmakers whose projects reflect the art & culture and the political & social experiences of African-Americans and the African Diaspora.

The New York Public Library and the National Black Programming Consortium are proud to resume our offering of these free film screenings at the George Bruce Branch. Launched last year as the Harlem Library Cinema Series the program was quite successful and we are looking forward to a similar response. The line up this season is quite interesting. From the NBPC website you find the following description: “This season on AfroPoP brings another engaging series of titles from a broad range of black diaspora locales and experiences. These stories represent a multi-faceted look at contemporary cultures and affairs concerning a diverse range of subjects from producers working diligently to unearth the complicated webs that often weave enthralling real life stories.”

Join us this Fall. The screenings will take place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM.

The first screening of the Fall (scheduled for October 13th) is entitled 125 Franco’s BoulevardScene from "125 Franco's Boulevard" (Harlem Library Cinema Series). Here is a brief description from the NBPC site:

"When a community is in the process of development and gentrification, what happens to the art and culture that represents the people of that community?

With colorful strokes, Franco the Great has been painting murals on the storefront roll-down gates (riot gates) on 125th street for 40 years. A rezoning legislation and recently passed city law threaten to remove those gates along with the art and culture that is painted on them. Who will step up and preserve Franco’s art in the wake of big plans to change Harlem?"

See you there.

Explore Further:

1. Use the library's electronic databases to learn more about Franco the Great. Look at an article in Academic Search Premier.
2. Search the library's catalog to explore the subject of Mural Painting and decoration. Here's one title to take a look at: Mural Painting secrets for success.
3. Learn more about The National Black Programming Consortium. Visit www.blackpublicmedia.org and browse their site to see what they're all about.

Each month I will update this blog with the current month's title.