BLACKTALK
A Slayzhon Production
An intervention toward and challenge of more traditional examples of criticism, BlackTalk is a salon series where Black movies matter. In the great tradition of the Harlem Renaissance, in this space, Black thinkers center Black filmmaking in a kitchen table-style debrief of cultural commentary and critique, ultimately interrogating the film canon.
Led by creator Tre'vell Anderson, critics, artists, and other cultural workers are invited to screen and discourse films made by and/or about Black people. BlackTalk puts the power and purpose of film criticism (back) where it belongs: in the hands of the beloved community.
Find our more about BlackTalk by reading our FAQs.
SALON ONE
“School Daze” (1988)
Writer-Director: Spike Lee
Salon participants:
Ray Love Jr., Brooke Obie, Naomi Elias, Garry Harris, Ryan Mitchell, Shar Jossell, Mychael Chinn, Jerome Campbell, Lyric Cabral and Neverending Nina
SALON TWO
“CLAUDINE” (1974)
Writers: Tina and Lester Pine | Director: John Berry
Guest Curator: Brooke Obie, Writer and Filmmaker
Salon participants:
LaNisa Frederick, Garry Harris, Carla Renata, Olivia Charmaine Bernardez, Joelle Monique, Brooke Obie, Tre'vell Anderson, Neverending Nina, Terrell Brooke, Lyric Cabral
SALON THREE
“Girl 6” (1996)
Writer: Suzan-Lori Parks | Director: Spike Lee
Guest Curator: Amber J. Phillips, Writer and Filmmaker
Salon participants:
Pierre Phipps, Tre'vell Anderson, Amber J. Phillips, Shar Jossell, Dom Scott, Ashley Younniä, AJ Girard
SALON FOUR
“How Not To Date While Trans” (2022) &
“Kokomo City” (2023)
Directors: Nyala Moon and D. Smith
Salon participants:
AJ Girard, Taylor Henderson, Tameka Blakshir, Ryan Mitchell, Tre'vell Anderson, Amber J. Phillips, Beandrea July, Jon Paul Higgins
BlackTalk is a Slayzhon production created, curated and produced by Tre'vell Anderson.
It is supported by Critical Minded, an initiative to invest in cultural critics of color cofounded by The Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
Special thanks to Bianca Alston (Slayzhon assistant), Sean Torrington (videographer), Liam Woods (photographer) and the wonderful staffs at Reparations Club, The Salt Eaters Bookshop and Thymele Arts.
For more information about BlackTalk, check out our FAQs.