'Kunta Kinteh Island', An Elvin Ross Documentary, Debuts in New Bern

May 20, 2013 - PRLog -- New Bern will host screenings of a new documentary film,"Kunta Kinteh Island: Coming Home Without Shackles" on May 23 - 24 with a red carpet public screening on Sunday, May 26th at The North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace, New Bern Waterfront from 7pm - 10pm. The film honors the celebrated captive African, Kunta Kinteh, who gained worldwide recognition in the 1977 ABC television series "Roots".

The insightful documentary has the support of many prominent African Americans, including writer, director and actor Tyler Perry, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, and many other entertainment, civic and spiritual leaders. Produced by filmmaker Elvin Ross, the film is also co-executive produced by New Bern's very own prominent Atlanta physician, Dr. Nathaniel Johnson and Berry Bryant. The film has been widely supported by academia at influential institutions including Harvard University, Morehouse College, Wayne State University and Northeastern University.  Dr. Johnson explains, "It is with great honor that we bring this documentary home to New Bern. I am excited to share not just an important piece of history but the makings of a powerful movement!"

The film was made to educate a new generation of Americans about the legendary Mandinka Warrior Kunta, and as a philanthropic effort to raise funds for the Albreda Jeffereh Primary School in Kinteh's impoverished Gambian village. The documentary traces the life of Kunta Kinteh; his journey to America; his brutal enslavement; his triumphant survival through harrowing circumstances; focuses on his lasting family legacy through profiles of his relatives in the village of Juffereh, Gambia, West Africa today; and shares his recent symbolic return to the point of his captivity - James Island in Gambia - which was formally renamed Kunta Kinteh Island on February 6, 2011. Sharon Bryant, African American Outreach Coordinator of Tryon Palace shares, "There's an excitement for history in Eastern North Carolina and we saw "Kunta Kinteh Island" as an opportunity that exposed our community to a story we've never seen before."

"Kunta Kinteh Island: Coming Home Without Shackles, is a powerful intersection of African and American history," shared Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. "Elvin Ross, in his directorial debut, shines a light on this fascinating story that celebrates the strength and spirit of the Gambian people, and introduces this important part of history to a new generation." Tyler Perry, owner of Tyler Perry Studios shares, "I felt the heart and emotion of our rich history in this brilliantly made and powerful documentary, Kunta Kinteh Island," he continues, "I am very proud of my long time friend and composer for recognizing the importance of retelling this story to this generation. I can't wait for everyone to see it!"  Soledad O'Brien, known for her signature documentaries, "In America", also co-hosted the Atlanta premiere.  

Special guests are featured throughout the epic documentary including the noted actor Ben Vereen, who played the beloved character 'Chicken George' in "Roots"; singer Jermaine Jackson of music's Jackson Family; His Excellency Yahya Jammeh, President of Gambia; and members of the Kinteh family who still reside in Kunta Kinteh's tribal village in Gambia to this day.

The Kunta Kinteh Island educational film tour will visit multiple cities across the U.S. and consists of three primary types of philanthropic events in each city: a red carpet screening of the documentary, an educational event, or a faith-based gathering. The New Bern event consists of three screenings - Jones County Community Development Center Thursday, May 23, 10am in Trenton, NC; Dillard Academy on Friday, May 24, 1:00pm in Goldsboro; and the red carpet event on Sunday, May 26th at the Tryon Palace. The events in each city will feature celebrity and VIP guests, and offer a first opportunity to view the film and to lend financial support to the Elvin Ross Foundation. The Foundation will provide general funding, books and solar laptops to the primary school in Kunta Kinteh's village in Gambia.

Please visit http://www.kkimovie.com/ for more details.    

About Elvin Ross Studios

Elvin Ross Studios is a production company that composes music for television and film, and produces documentary and feature films. Elvin Ross has enjoyed a more than 15-year career providing music for numerous Tyler Perry stage, television and film projects. Kunta Kinteh Island marks Ross' directorial debut and is the first of many film projects to come from Elvin Ross Studios. Elvin Ross is also a writer and teacher and is working on an academic curriculum companion to the Kunta Kinteh Island documentary, for secondary school and university students. Please visit http://www.kkimovie.com/ for more details.