WKMS: Metropolis's "Amazing Oscar Micheaux" (2009-11-06)

Local Features

Metropolis's "Amazing Oscar Micheaux"

Jacque Day (2009-11-06)

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METROPOLIS (wkms) - Oscar Micheaux is largely regarded as the first African-American filmmaker to produce and distribute feature films. He began his career in 1919 in the infancy of the American movie industry at a time when theaters across the nation were still segregated. He challenged Hollywood's stereotypical depictions of black characters. Many of his films vanished into obscurity, only recently uncovered. Jacque Day looks into the life and legacy of this trailblazer born in Metropolis, Illinois.

Information and Performances
Audiences can experience Stace England and the Salt Kings' musical cinematic presentation of The Amazing Oscar Micheaux, including live music and film clips, at 7 PM Friday, November 6 at the River's Edge Film Festival in Paducah and the following week at the St. Louis International Film Festival. Performance Schedule.

See select scenes from Micheaux's Within Our Gates accompanied by the original composition of the same name by Stace England and the Salt Kings here.

Acknowledgments
Todd Steven Burroughs, Ph.D., communications professor at Morgan State University and contributor to numerous books including Civil Rights Chronicle: The African-American Struggle for Freedom.

Stace England, musician and creator of the new concept album The Amazing Oscar Micheaux by Stace England and the Salt Kings.

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