Representation in Cinema

JACKIE MCGRIFF and KRISTEN SEVERSKY, one of the most prominent voices for film, tech, and social justice in our community join the Punches and Popcorn team for an exciting talk about Monkey Man, a thrilling new film by Dev Patel!

Frybread Face and Me is a 2023 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Billy Luther. It follows the story of a young boy named Benny who comes from San Diego to spend the summer with his Navajo “Dine” grandmother on her reservation in Arizona. There he meets and bonds with his cousin Frybread Face, and the film explores their family’s legacy and their personalities as they try to...

It's been a full year since our last podcast recording and, in this episode, we talk about all of the life changes happening and all of the projects and events that we've been working on with Our Voices Project ever since. You can view information about all of our films at www.ourvoicesproject.com/projects . We are happy to announce that 3 of our films are available for screenings and panel discus...

Announcing the Lunchador Podcast Network! Lunchador co-founders Matt Austin and Chris Lindstrom talk about the new Lunchador Podcast Network, bringing you the best in arts, culture and more from Western NY! www.lunchador.org

Jason Barber, Cuban American educator and artist, joins the podcast to discuss the legacy of actor, activist and LEGEND Edward James Olmos and Latinx representation in discussing the films: Mi Familia , El Norte , Selena , Zoot Suit , and The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez . Jason Barber is a Cuban American educator and artist with over a decade of experience in Rochester’s arts and non-for-profit sect...

Indian Horse is the story of Saul Indian Horse, a young Canadian First Nations boy who survives the Canadian Indian residential school system in the 1970s to become a star hockey player. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Richard Wagamese. Indian Horse stars Sladen Peltier, Forrest Goodluck, and Ajuawak Kapashesit who all portray Saul at different stages in his life. Stephen Campan...

We're still recovering from all that is this incredible sequel to Black Panther. Consider Our Voices Project a part of your support group. Wakanda Forever is the sequel to Black Panther that tells the story of the Wakanda royal family picking up the pieces felt after King T’challa’s death, a tribute in honor and memory of the late Chadwick Boseman. Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye and the Dora...

A movie about Black women warriors starring Viola Davis? We're HERE FOR IT so let's talk about it! This is the first episode to feature the entire Our Voices Project team - Jackie McGriff, Deborah Alvarez, Courtney Shouse, and Annalisa Rogers! The Woman King tells the story of the Agojie, the all-woman warrior unit that protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey during the 17th to 19th centurie...

We hosted our first LIVE, in-person podcast episode after the screening of the film, Sugar, at The Little Theatre on Thursday, August 18, 2022. The recording was provided by The Little Theatre staff. Sugar is a 2008 drama about 19-year-old Miguel “Sugar” Santos (Algenis Perez Soto) who dreams of winning a slot on an American baseball team. His talents as a pitcher eventually land him a slot on a s...

We discuss the film "Moonlight." Moonlight is a drama released back in 2016 starring Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, Ashton Sanders, and Naomi Harris. The story follows Chiron and looks at three defining chapters in his life as a young Black man growing up in Miami. His journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support, and love of the community that helps raise him. The film is directed by B...

We discuss the movie, Passing, sexuality, relationships, racism, and the MULTIPLE layers that this film touches. Passing is a period drama released in 2021 starring Tessa Thompson ( Sylvie’s Love, Sorry to Bother You, Thor: Ragnorok, Thor: Love and Thunder ) and Ruth Negga ( Loving , AMC TV series Preacher ). Set in New York City in the 1920s, a woman’s world is turned upside down when she runs in...

We discuss Fast Color, motherhood, family, trauma, and whether or not this film flips the "magical negro" stereotype on its head. Fast Color is a science fiction drama released back from 2018 starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle, Concussion, Loki). The film is directed by Julia Hart. After her special abilities are discovered, Ruth is on the run and has no choice, but to go back to her childhood home w...

We discussed what we loved about Attack the Block , the intersection of race and class, and other themes brought throughout the film. Attack the Block is a 2011 sci-fi comedy directed by Joe Cornish. Moses (John Boyega) leads a group of South London teenagers facing off against aliens to defend their neighborhood. The film also guest stars Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, Leeon Jones, and Nick Frost....

This was originally recorded via Zoom as part of our event series and now podcast series, Representation in Cinema. We discussed what we loved about The Harder They Fall , different themes, and the real, Black historical figures depicted in the film. The Harder They Fall is a 2021 western directed by Jeymes Samuel about Nat Love, an outlaw (Jonathan Majors) seeking vengeance for his family against...