We Have a Winner!
Hey Gang, we have a winner of the "Civil Brand Ticket Giveaway" contest and it is Birgitta Johnson of Los Angeles, California. She and a guest will party with the stars and then get a chance to enjoy Civil Brand, compliments of the Live Theatre Gang. LTG has offered ticket giveaways in the past but we must admit, this was the largest response we have ever received.  We'd like to thank all who have entered our contest and we will be giving away more tickets to future shows and productions. Be sure to check our site frequently for other giveaways.

Civil Brand Test Screenings Sponsored By Black Cinema Café Are Packing Them In
LTG's Roving Reporter was there to witness Los Angeles' Black Cinema Café event this past Wednesday October 16^th. Co-Executive Director and founder of Black Cinema Café, Reggie Scott told the overflowing house that Civil Brand has had the biggest response to a film that they ever encountered.  Reggie informed the audience that in Washington and North Carolina, Civil Brand screened to overflowing crowds. “People want to see this film” informed Reggie.  The event was held at the famous Lush Restaurant in Santa Monica ca with a star studded crowd. Among the Celebes attending were several cast members of Civil Brand, MC Lite, Monica Calhoun and Reed McCants were there and got a warm response from the audience. The writer of the film Joyce Lewis was also present as well as the composer Rick Wilson of the famed musical group Mandrill. Executive Producers Jeff Clanagan and Steve Lockett joined the director Neema Barnette for a panel discussion after the screening.  Neema asked for support at the upcoming AFI Festival in LA where Civil Brand will screen on Sunday Nov. 10^th at 2pm and Saturday Nov. 16^th at 6pm at the Arc Light Theatre in Hollywood.  The team informed the audience that the emails to Lions Gate are working because they are talking to them for the first time about theatrical distribution but we have to keep up the pressure.  Don’t worry Neema; Urban LA will be there at the AFI Festival to show CB love and support.  There are a few more Black Cinema Café free screenings of Civil Brand remaining in October.  Click Here for schedule.

Civil Brand Update 
Civil Brand Rolls On
November expects to be the busiest month for Civil Brand to date as this fugitive film continues to campaign for secured theatrical release.  High on the list the film has won a coveted spot at the prestigious American Film Institute Fest in Hollywood and it will screen on Sunday Nov. 10th and Saturday Nov. 16th.  Both screenings promise to be star filled and packed to the rafters with a discussion with the filmmaker Neema Barnette and stars following both screenings.  The importance of our west coast Gang help to spread the word is crucial in our efforts to win a third audience award. The unmovable Lions Gate distributors has apparently not been impressed with all of the accolades the film has received thus far however everyone respects AFI.  This may be the most crucial screening in our journey to win respect for this important film.
More Festivals and Screenings
But wait, there's more!  October is CB month for The Black Cinema Cafe.  They are having free screenings of the film in ten cities across the country.  Black Cinema Cafe is a part of the American Black Film Festival.  Click Here for the eight city schedule of Black Cinema Cafe.  CB will be at the High Falls Film Festival on Nov. 1st in Rochester New York.  Last but not least is a special screening on December 6th at The Directors Guild in Hollywood, sponsored by The Live Theatre Gang.  OK gang, so now you have all the info so get on the horn and help us promote this film.  If you have friends, family or relatives in any of the places that CB will be appearing, let them know and keep those emails coming into Lions Gate Pictures. Civil Brand will be free!

H. Hartman
Editor


Civil Brand Wins at
Urbanworld!
The crowd was spectacular and the enthusiasm was tremendous! The folks who organize the Urbanworld Film Festival had no idea what hit them. New York showed up in full force for the two screenings of Civil Brand Friday August 9th and Saturday the 10th. The lines were around the block and at least a thousand strong, as they came to show support for a movie that wasn't supposed to be made, much less seen.  Many who came down to see the film were turned away, partly due to lack of organization on behalf of Urban World, but also because no one could predict how anxious African-American audiences would be to finally witness a film of substance.  Especially after the years of mindless comedies and pointless thug flicks that are continuously produced from Hollywood. However, if left up to Lions Gate Films, the same distributors that produced such forgettable films as "The Wash", "State Property" and "Gang Tapes", the Urban World Film Festival screenings will be the last.  Lions Gate who acquired CB through a merger, shows absolutely no interest in releasing the film despite winning the Blockbuster award at the American Black Film Festival this pass July.

The Film That Can't Be Stopped!
Once again as testimony to how important a film Civil Brand is, fame Producer and film legend Warrington Hudlin was present to hand director Neema Barnette the Audience Award along with an Special Jury Award at the Urban World Film Festival final luncheon this past Sunday.  Warrington appeared on the Tom Joyner morning show on New York's Kiss FM on Wednesday to promote what he calls the " Save Civil Brand Campaign", in an effort to help the film get distribution in theaters across the country.  Judging by the massive amount of e-mails that LTG is receiving in response to the film this pass weekend, many of you already taking up the charge!  We will be constantly posting updates in regards to the many efforts on behalf of Civil Brand.  Our site will give you the most up-to-date info and we want you to post your reviews or comments about the film so we can send them to the distributors regularly. Director Neema Barnette asked that we express her appreciation for all of those who turned out to see her film and even if you are the many who could not, she is determined to bring the film back to her home town, New York, very soon, even without the support of Lions Gate.

About the Film
Civil Brand” is a hip-hop tale of young Black women behind bars who fight against abuse and private ownership of prisons for profit. The Warden (Reed McCants, LTG's Artistic Director) is a businessman who attempts to fatten his pockets by increasing his labor pool to attract more private business at the inmate's expense.  The Captain (Clifton Powell) is a troubled and demented small time crook who uses these women for his own personal pleasure. The female guard, Cervantes,  (MC Lite goes strictly by the book and Michael, (Mos Def) the new young law student/part time guard, is troubled by the treatment of the women and curious about the presence of private business.

Frances befriends four inmates, Lil Momma (Lark Voorhees), Wet (Monica Calhoun) Nikki (N'Bushe Wright) Asisha (Tichina Arnold), Nikki's enemy and the Captains latest stoolie and Sabrina (DaBrat) from whose POV the story is told.  Each of them has their own unique spirit and troubles. Together they form the family unit they never had on the outside and try to do their time.  But the abuse becomes overwhelming and the girls decide to strike and ask the corporation for help. They soon find out that the corporation is not on their side. They learn that prison is big business and they are high price stock down on Wall Street. They are severely punished for their effort to strike and Frances and Nikki are put in solitary.

The real hip-hop culture is a prison culture and is reflected in hip-hop style, attitude and music.  “Civil Brand” stars hip hop rappers and actors who wanted to speak to their peers about what's really happening in today's prisons. The film illustrates how young Black women can empower each other to create change and re-code their destiny.

Gil Hartman
Webmaster

Civil Brand Wins Blockbuster Award at ABFF in Miami

The American Black Film Festival awarded Civil Brand the Blockbuster Audience Choice Award last Saturday in Miami Beach Florida. Clifton Powell also took Best Actor award for his portrayal of Captain Deese in Civil Brand. Filmmaker Neema Barnette accepted the award and told the audience that "Film is a political tool and the final frontier for Black folks". Brand's screenings were sold out every day of the festival with overflowing crowds that included Chris Tucker, Robert Townsend and John Singleton.  "It's an excellent film" said Robert Townsend who mentioned Neema Barnette as a "Future Shock" in his end credits of his second feature film "Five Heartbeats" in the 90's. The response to the Brand was exceptional.  "I never thought the film would move people like it did and I'm elated", said Barnette while being interviewed by the Bravo Channel.  "I made the film to enlighten people.  I am glad audiences have embraced the film with so much love".  All the festivals workshops which included Bill Duke's Actors Boot Camp were extremely successful, attracting hundreds of actors and enthusiasts from around the country. Congratulations to the ABFF for another great year. 

Bob H. Rich
Editor

LTG Helps Promote "Civil Brand" Film at ABFF in Miami
Read More...

 

Posted 8/02/02

Civil Brand Comes to Chicago and New York!
After nearly sweeping The American Black Film Festival in Miami, Civil Brand moves on to Chicago to The Black Harvest Film Festival for a special screening and panel discussion this coming Saturday August 3^rd.  The BHFF will be held at The Gene Siskel Film Center at The Chicago Art Institute where our Artistic Director Reed McCants and Executive Director Neema Barnette will lead the panel discussion following the screening.  So, if you are in the Chicago area, make sure you check it out.  But wait, that’s not all, because on Friday August 9^th and 10^th New York will get its chance to see this remarkable film at the Urbanworld Film Festival. The Urbanworld Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in the world that showcases Third World Cinema. As you may recall from past articles, LTG has had the privilege of sponsoring posters and flyers and other press material for the Festival Tour of Civil Brand.

Who Ever Heard Of Women Taking Over A Prison?
Civil Brand is a hip-hop tale of young Black women behind bars who are forced to unite against a corrupt prison system. Together they form the family unit they never had on the outside and try to do their time.  But a cruel Captain and power hungry Warden has other plans. They force the women to work under slave conditions manipulated by corporate greed.  When the abuse becomes overwhelming, the girls decide to strike back!  But the odds are stacked against them!  After all, who ever heard of women taking over a prison?  Civil Brand is a drama that explores the new trend of prisons for profit.  The film illustrates how young Black women can empower each other to create change and re-code their destiny.  The film stars Mos Def (Monsters Ball/Top Dog Under Dog) LisaRaye (Players Club) N’Bushe Wright (Blade, Dead Presidents) Da Brat, MC Lite, Monica Calhoun (The Best Man, Players Club) Lark Voorhees, (Saved By The Bell) Tichina Arnold (The Martin Show) Reed McCants (Spirit Lost, Better Off Dead) and Clifton Powell (Bones, Next Friday).

The Gang Can Help!
As we all know good urban films are seldom seen.  They are being made but the big studios are not willing to get behind them.  The audiences have been jaded as well.  We may get excited about a film but after it has been edited and diluted to fit the so called “main stream” its target audience can no longer relate to the finished product.  With African American Producers and an African American director, Civil Brand is that rare bird that has not been tampered with.  It speaks to a topic of great concern to people of color, the privatization of prisons for profit, a subject that doesn’t sit well with commercialized media.  Following The American Black Film Festival the tremendous hype on the film echoes this sentiment. Never the less, it’s up to the audience to make a change in all of our viewing options.  LTG’s web site receives thousands of hits a day so we know you’re out there folks and we need your participation.  All you have to do is come down and see the film.  If you like it, vote for it and spread the word, it’s as simple as that!  At The Urbanworld Film Festival audiences get a chance to view a vast array of feature films, shorts and documentaries which may not ordinarily receive wide exposure and the great thing is that you, the audience will get a chance to vote for the best of the best!

Civil Brand Urbanworld Screening Times
Urbanworld is one of the few film festivals that is open to the public and with regular admission prices.  Civil Brand will screen in New York City at the Urbanworld Film Festival on Friday August 9^th at 9:30pm and Saturday August 10^th at 4pm at the new Loews 34^th Street Theater, located between 8^th & 9^th Avenues.  We look forward to seeing all of LTG’s gang and friends at these screenings. Get there early because we expect a great crowd and special appearances from the cast and other celebrities at both screenings followed by a panel discussion with the producers, director and cast.

Gil Hartman
Webmaster

Posted 8/09/02
Be Sure To Get Your Tickets Early For Civil Brand at The Urbanworld Film Festival Because They're Selling Fast!
If you had a chance to catch Director Neema Barnette along with cast members LisaRaye and Tichina Arnold on Kiss FM's Radio talker "Open Line" this pass Sunday morning, then you'd know how excited New York City is about its upcoming premiere of the feature film "Civil Brand" at the Urban World Film Fest this coming Friday and Saturday.  LTG has been flooded with E-Mails and phone calls related to the film, so we want to make sure the Gang gets a head start at purchasing a ticket for this exclusive engagement.  Remember, there's only 2 shows scheduled and many seats are already sold, but you can get your tickets in advance by visiting the box-office early any time before the screenings to avoid the last minute rush.  LTG's publicity crew was at the Loew's 34th street Theater, located between 8^th & 9^th Avenues all day Thursday to meet and greet and were surprised to find that many of the festivals attendees knew about the film and were planning to see Civil Brand.  "I hope my hometown New York likes the movie because I made it for them, the people", says Director Barnette, who along with several cast members will be present for both screenings including a Q&A on Saturday.
 

Visit The Urbanworld Film Festival Site

Read LTG’s Past Articles About Civil Brand

See or Print Civil Brand Urbanworld Flyer 

Read About Director Neema Barnette and the DGA

ABFF Website

Contact Director Neema Barnette