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     Tonya AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Tonya Post Number: 4774 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Stanley Crouch: 'Life Support' lights darkness By Stanley Crouch - Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, March 10, 2007 It used to be a cliché among black people that black women always got further than black men. Perhaps that generalization might explain the ongoing denigration and dehumanization that we witness over and over in the loud fount of pimplike opinion we call hip-hop. But black women are finally getting themselves together and are rebelling against being left holding the bag. Still, perhaps they have not rebelled enough. I say that because black women remain about 20 times more likely to get the AIDS virus than white women and account for nearly 70 percent of new cases. I was first told these facts on a train coming back from Washington, D.C., by an elderly health care professional, who was black, riled up and thought that it was high time the black community got serious about this problem and stopped either ignoring it or trying to hide it under the bed. A very good anthology called "Not in My Family: AIDS in the African American Community," edited by Gil L. Robertson 4th, will bring the interested reader up to snuff on the matter. But for those in a rush to get the human feeling that can often come through strongest in cinematic narrative, I would recommend HBO's "Life Support" starring Queen Latifah and premiering tonight at 5:30. HBO always redeems itself somehow by doing so many high-minded documentaries or powerful dramas that one can feel far less insulted by the ethnic denigration, misogyny and dehumanization that black comedians seem to do better than anyone else and are given perpetual platforms by HBO. But "Life Support" is not about any of that. As they say in the business, it puts "a human face" on a terrible plague and makes us feel the sort of compassion that underlies all civilized behavior. The characters are neither angels nor devils, bitches nor whores, but they are stubborn, they are difficult, and they can be exasperating. Yet they are never less than human, which is always an accomplishment and a reason for celebration when black women are depicted with full hearts and minds and difficult memories. Director Nelson George co-wrote the script about a woman who contracted the virus while she was running the streets and living the wild dope life. While she was doing that, her mother had to rear her oldest daughter, who is now about to leave high school and feels as bitter toward her mother as her grandmother does. Latifah's performance as the woman with HIV is both abrasive and tender, which is matched by Anna Deavere Smith's as her mother. The mutual bitterness they feel toward each other is not only palpable but understandable. One is trying her best to do better, but the other continually pins her to a disrespectful wall of irresponsibility and drug-induced indifference. The frustrated love that puddles in the basement of each woman's personality makes their confrontations even more moving once they are understood. Wendell Pierce, as always, is wonderful and has great gravity as Latifah's husband, whom she both loves and blames for giving her the virus when he was a dope fiend. Rachel Nicks is startlingly fresh as Latifah's oldest daughter, who is skittish and extremely intelligent, was raised by her grandmother and is afraid to get too close to her mother, who has become an AIDS activist. In all, the complex psychological states of the characters reflect what a plague can do to a family or a community and what a community can never fail to do, which is face the facts and change whatever behavior made it vulnerable to disease. Greed, poorly thought-out policies and irresponsible behaviors have done much to hurt and even cripple this country. But it is far from down and out. Gangster rap, pornography, drug abuse, gangbanging and many other things surround us as no more than hideous challenges that we must stand up and meet. "Life Support" is another humble match struck in the darkness. This article is protected by copyright and should not be printed or distributed for anything except personal use. Copyright © The Sacramento Bee http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/135515.html | ||
| Latina_wi Regular Poster Username: Latina_wi Post Number: 236 Registered: 08-2006 Rating: |
But black women are finally getting themselves together and are rebelling against being left holding the bag. Still, perhaps they have not rebelled enough. I say that because black women remain about 20 times more likely to get the AIDS virus than white women and account for nearly 70 percent of new cases. Latina WI: Sad. Wish I could watch this, sounds interesting. My mother used to work in a place called 'The London Lighthouse' which was a centre for people affected by HIV and AIDS. HIV testing, counselling, clinical/specialist and welfare advice, complementary therapies, yoga, podiatry. Mentoring and buddying service. Computer training. Services for the African communities. Support groups. Helpline offers information, advice, signposting, referrals to Lighthouse services. (Copied and pasted from the website). Princess Diana was a strong suppoerter, and the Queen's Sister the patron. I was made aware about the AIDs crisis at quite an early age because of this but I am still have a few stereotypes about the whole crisis and quite frankly, could be described as being quite ignorant when it comes to looking at cases individually (because I tend to look at the HIV and AIDs crisis as a general thing as that is how it is highlighted nowadays). | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 3873 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: |
Doesn't Latifah promote the homosexual lifestyle by being a lesbian? Isn't (male) homosexual behavior the main cause of the rampant spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic? Pardon me for thinking this way but Latifah needs to walk the walk - and not just play a film role to highlight the problems of HIV/AIDS. She can be a real-life lesbo if she wants to, but she's not the correct person to play this part. Who's the dope that cast her in this role? It's totally hypocritical. | ||
| Latina_wi Regular Poster Username: Latina_wi Post Number: 238 Registered: 08-2006 Rating: |
Mzuri; I know that in Britain 60% of those with the HIV or AIDs virus between the ages of sixteen and twenty four are hetrosexual. And when AIDs is spread through homosexual sex it is usually man to man. AIDs is now just as much a hetrosexual disease as a homosexual one - probably more so. Maybe this film is going to aimed at a hetrosexual audience so the myth that it is 'only gay people who get HIV' (because many people still believe that) is stopped in it's track and people start realising that if you have sex irresponsible, age, sex and sexual orientation is regardless - you are at risk. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 3875 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: |
Of course you are correct. However, Latifah is not the right person for this role. That's all I'm saying. | ||
| Tonya AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Tonya Post Number: 4786 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
The whole cast did a FANTASTIC job. This movie deserves an Emmy.... It was deep. It was real. And the acting was outstanding. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 8703 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Tonya, I agree. Life Support's good. | ||
| Yukio Veteran Poster Username: Yukio Post Number: 1978 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
"Of course you are correct. However, Latifah is not the right person for this role. That's all I'm saying." And so Mzuri, should we characterize your line of thinking as illogical, or just foolish? | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 8707 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: |
Yukio, Must it be an either-or question? | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4347 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: |
Mzuri Speaks  I see nothing's changed around here. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 8709 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Kola, *GASP!!!* | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 8710 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Kola, Oh. Welcome back from your (Troy-imposed) sabbatical. You've been SORELY missed, babe.  | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4350 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
Thanks, ABM. But I'm not really back for long. AND.... I missed YOU more than you missed me.  | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4351 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
Queen Latifah's a FINE ACTRESS, and she showed exactly WHY she was cast in such an important and meaningful role. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 8712 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Kola, Well. For however much or long it is, it's still good to see you here. I agree Latifah did a fine job. PS: Don't you think it interesting that TWO of Diana Ross' (Evan Ross & Tracey Ellis Ross) kids were in the movie? Wonder what THAT's about. | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4353 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
LOL!!! Diana did it. I'm certain. OH...and ABM I can no longer deny it. I "do" sound like Diana Ross when I sing. I've been rehearsing for live performances as you know---and the LONG TIME that it's been taking is because I've been trying learn how to sing and NOT sound so similar to her. I've had a coach for more than a year, but it's no use ---I sound like her. He trained me to sing "lower", but I still sound like her--even in Arabic. The fu/cked up thing is that when we film the video singing---people are going to think I'm doing that ON PURPOSE, that I'm "copying", and because of her image already----I don't think they'll get the great message of the songs I'm trying to introduce to America from Egyptian blacks. They'll be too wrapped up in "she's trying to sound like Diana." My vocal coach finally said, "Look Kola---that's how you sound. Just sing from your heart and be yourself and forget what people say." ABM, people put me down so much and tell so many lies and vicious stories on me. I just get sick of doing things from the heart and having the "cynics" rake me over the coal without even considering what my work has stated. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 3879 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: |
 Kompulsive Over-Exaggerating Lying Ass Your post should have read: "Mzuri Speaks Truth" Which is much more than can be said for Y-O-U Because we have it from a Very Reliable Source: http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/179/24023.html#POST90750 That Kola Spoof Is A L-I-A-R Who LIES about everything!!! And Oh By The Way Y-O-U Owe Me (and the others here) An A-P-O-L-O-G-Y So please don't play S-T-U-P-I-D Y-O-U Know What Y-O-U Did Just do the R-I-G-H-T T-H-I-N-G For a C-H-A-N-G-E  T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U ••••• | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4356 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: |
Mzuri Speaks LIES  And you can post your little punk ass links between you and Troy all you want. I really don't give a FU/CK---just ask Troy. You better scuba dive in Troy's asshole looking for an APOLOGY like you been doing. And that's for real. And WE ALL KNOW goddamned well that you won't be kicking Kola's ass no time soon. Don't we, you Doberman-faced bi-t-ch? Your shit is ALL INTERNET, ALL TALK and ALWAYS have been from day one. Nobody even saw an image of your Octoroon ass until I posted the video your kids shot on your birthday. POST AWAY, Mzuri---but it won't change the fact that you're nothing but the Riff-Raff around her. And soon to be ignored by all. OH----and don't hate on "dykes", BECAUSE your mother was one. Just ask the family dog, Trixie. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 3880 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
 A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E Kronic Over-Emphasizing Lying Ass And By The Way Please Don't Put Words In My Mouth  Thank You ••••• | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4357 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: |
You better scuba dive in Troy's asshole looking for an APOLOGY like you been doing. And that's for real. ...yawn And the bi-T-ch is STILL corny and boring as fu.ck. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 3882 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
 Konfused Ostracized Lying Ass Just A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E For Lying Against Me *** Y-o-u Know What Y-o-u Did *** It's Not That Hard *** There's Nothing To Argue About *** Just Be A Grown Ass Woman (For a change) And A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E  Thank You ••••• | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4358 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
 | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4359 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
And I REITERATE, Mzuri, You better scuba dive in Troy's asshole looking for an APOLOGY like you been doing. And that's for real. _________ Ok, that's it. I have nothing further to say to that Snot-Clot. I'm joining ABM in ignoring her trifling ass. | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 3883 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
 Kry-Baby Osama Bin Laden Wannabe Mistress Lying Ass That Would Be Your Typical Monkey Looking Chicken Shit Dumb •••• Response *** Run And Hide Behind ABM And Pretend You're Gonna Ignore Me  In The Meanwhile I'll Be Waiting For Y-O-U To Grow The •••• Up And A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E For Lying Against Me  Thank You ••••• | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 7708 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
LMAO. An apology from a pathological liar carries no weight. Who really needs an apology from kola boof? What she lied about didn't hurt anybody but herself | ||
| Mzuri "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Mzuri Post Number: 3886 Registered: 01-2006 Rating: N/A |
I know. Kola Spoof would never admit to being a chronic liar. But we all know the truth. | ||
| Tonya AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Tonya Post Number: 4793 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Abm, Which character was Evan Ross? Was it the girl that played Latifa's oldest daughter? | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 8746 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Tonya, Evan is the BOY who played Latifah's daughter's friend who died of AIDS at the end of the Life Support. | ||
| Jackie Regular Poster Username: Jackie Post Number: 499 Registered: 04-2005 Rating: N/A |
LATIFAH, FOXX LEND SUPPORT TO HBO By: . EURWeb Mar. 11, 2007 Print Email Not Avail TV movie focuses on AIDS and fortitude This article is provided courtesy of our partner eurweb.com With the television movie “Life Support,” HBO is bringing the topic of HIV back to the forefront. In particular, the movie – premiering Saturday - focuses on the virus’ growth in the African American community and black females in particular. Inspired by a true story, “Life Support” follows the life of an HIV-positive Brooklyn mother named Ana Willis who overcame addiction and used her life experience to become an activist against AIDS and ignorance. The film has been chosen as the closing night film at the Sundance Film Festival and HBO is teaming up with the NBA and global organizations for a national outreach of the film – screening it across the country. Queen Latifah stars as Ana, and executive produces the film along with Jamie Foxx. The film was written and directed by Nelson George, whose sister inspired the film. “The point of the film is to really talk about the one thing we don’t want to talk about in the black community…sexuality and how we get down,” George said of the film’s focus. “They’re not talking about it, they’re not getting tested, which is why we have the numbers we have today. It’s why the film exists.” Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx & Nelson George However, HIV/AIDS is only the surface topic of what the film takes on. George goes even further into the topic, where it hits home – with our mothers, sisters, daughters, etc – African American women; a faction he calls “the invisible group.” “Overwhelmingly it’s been straight women – black women, Hispanic women – getting the virus,” he said. “There’s a new group that’s getting it in big numbers. It’s no longer a gay disease in this country. It’s a straight woman’s disease, a minority woman’s disease, and because of that, there are constituencies in this country who aren’t paid attention to too often in the mainstream anyway. So when you compound that – having a virus [too] that most people act like you disappeared, you have a double negative. That’s why the film is kind of a breakthrough. It’s about giving a voice to people who don’t have a voice.” That voice comes from the story of his sister who contracted the virus from her husband, an intravenous drug user. She has made it her duty to speak out about the disease and the importance of getting tested. “The majority of those becoming HIV positive today are women,” she said. “Like a lot of married women who have never had sex with anybody else, but their husbands. Of course they don’t believe in getting tested because they’re married. I’m living it. I got it from having unprotected sex with my husband. It’s a part of my life everyday.” George says that he took dynamics of his own family, particularly his sister Andrea Williams, as well as the community to shape the characters in the film. And while Latifah takes on some of Williams’ story, she explained that Ana is strictly just based on George’s sister. For instance, Latifah’s character is also a drug user, while Williams is not. The actress did spend time with Williams to create the character and prepare for the role, although, she said that the character is definitely no stranger. “I grew up in this; I grew up in this area and I experienced some of the same things in some of the same places. The character was never really far from me and that’s part of what attracted me to the role,” she said. “[Williams and I] did talk a lot and had really real conversations about all kinds of things like human experiences and how life can take you down different paths. I needed to share her experience, but also, the character isn’t exactly who she is. I had room to make it my own.” Along with Latifah, Foxx added that he too feels the entire African American community is, or at least should be connected to the film. He told reporters that he was in support of the film because it deals not only with the disease, but it illustrates having the strength to go beyond it. “What’s beautiful about the movie is that, yes, it’s a movie about HIV, but when you see it, it deals with HIV right off the bat and then it deals with life. You still have a family to raise; still have problems to deal with. People need information on how to live their life after. When you see Queen Latifah and everyone portray these characters its like, ‘This is part of my life, not all of my life.’” Foxx, who also lent his musical talents to the film, continued: “To me, what also drew me to the film was not just the HIV/AIDS aspect of it, but the relationship aspects of it. We’re talking about people; people who’ve had their feelings hurt; people who are trying to forgive; and people who can’t forgive. There are so many different themes that weave through this film.” Those themes are woven by the stories George created from some real life experiences of his family. He confirmed that the film is a statement about HIV/AIDS, but also a story. “My mission ultimately was to make a film about black women,” he explained. “I thought this was a great opportunity to have three or four powerful black women stories. We’re talking about a virus affecting the black female community, and it’s my mission to talk about that community not to have a male interpreter. The whole film comes out of that desire to let black women speak.” “Life Support,” also starring Wendell Pierce, Gloria Reuben, Tony Rock, and Tracee Ellis Ross, airs Saturday, March 10 on HBO, with an encore broadcast on March 11 4:25 am. For more info on “Life Support” and the backstory, check the HBO website at http://www.hbo.com/films/lifesupport/. For information on AIDS support check the Black AIDS Institute at www.blackaids.org or for services, the National Minority AIDS Council at www.nmac.org. | ||
| Jackie Regular Poster Username: Jackie Post Number: 500 Registered: 04-2005 Rating: N/A |
I know it screened already. this is just FYI. | ||
| Toubobie Regular Poster Username: Toubobie Post Number: 233 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
I agree... the film was well-done, well-produced. Well LIT. (Uta is one of my favorites, subscribing to conceptual lighting technique) deavere and pierce were remarkable... the eldest daughter--comme ci, comme ca... latifah tapped into her Newark, NJ roots, but she has always been raw, like she'd beat yo sh*t even at the Oscar's in a 'de la Renta couture piece. crouch is such a chapped, crusty lipped double-talker. that sambo HATES women. what a manipulating d*ck head. hypocrite #2... Mr. Jamie Foxx, another woman hater. will exec produce a film of this quality and caliber, then turn around and pimp n'spew the very lyrical filth that aids and abets in our de-construction as black women. |
