Bin Yah - Piccolo Spoleto wrap up

If you find a shell, knife, fork, plate or a platter at the Scanlonville Cemetery, do not disturb it. It marks a grave - photo credit: Henry Fair

Our Piccolo Spoleto screenings of Bin Yah were considerably notable.

More than 300 people from young high school kids & college students to elders of the community, had a chance to screen Bin Yah at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston on June 3rd. Before the first screening, we were treated to a nice performance of the old pipe organ. And the film wasnt half bad! The audience, brought to tears, left with a deeper understanding of the historical African American Mount Pleasant communities, its poetic spirit, and some specific issues that threaten its future.

Michael Allen and Nakia Wigfall had a chance to talk with and answer several questions from the audience after the first screening. At the second screening, Queen Quet and Thomasena Stokes-Marshall spoke with the audience.

I have heard time and time again that Bin Yah is distinguished in the fact that we were able to get folks to open up to our cameras. It is a brutally honest account of deep felt, long standing difficulties, weaved into a past of enduring obstacles. I have been working in documentary film for some time now, and directing and editing Bin Yah was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. Together with the conflict, I believe we have found the correct balance of displaying the incredibly rich history and concept of family, home, pride, and incredible art and craft of basketmaking.

Bin Yah premiere’s on television June 12, at 10pm, on Southern Lens. More Information HERE.

PS - This weekend, Nancy Cregg, Cara White and I will be at the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival, enjoying the festivities and selling DVD’s of Bin Yah. At the festival, if you get the chance, also see “Grass Roots, The Enduring Art of The Lowcountry Basket”, a new documentary by Dana Sardet and Dale Rosengarten.

-Justin

Buy a Bin Yah DVD