In the next instalment of Mallard Movies, PBS' Ports of Paradise presents a screening of the Harry Belafonte documentary 'Sing Your Song'.
Wednesday 24th June.
Long before he became a cultural icon, Harry Belafonte learned to fight injustice wherever he saw it – a principle which has driven him ever since. His memoir is an electrifying story of protest and performance. It chronicles his impoverished childhood in Harlem and Jamaica, his meteoric rise as an international calypso star and his crossover into Hollywood, where he smashed down many barriers, leading to a passionate lifelong involvement in the civil rights movement and many other social causes.
Head down early for some delicious food and tropical calypso from 7pm. Ports of Paradise host Paddy Harrisson will present a special set of early calypso tunes, before introducing the film at 8:15pm. The screening will start at 8:30pm.
Just to sweeten the deal, PBS members receive a free pot of Thunder Road beer or glass of Cake wine on entry and a 10% discount on food and drinks all night, so don't forget your membership card!
A little background about the film:
Sing Your Song is an in depth look at a great American, Harry Belafonte. A patriot to the last and a champion for worldwide human rights, Belafonte is one of the truly heroic cultural and political figures of the past 60 years. Told from Harry’s point of view, the film charts his life from a boy born in New York and raised in Jamaica, who returns to Harlem in his early teens where he discovers the American Negro Theater and the magic of performing.
From there the film follows Belafonte’s rise from the jazz and folk clubs of Greenwich Village and Harlem to his emergence as a star. However, even as a superstar, the life of a black man in 1960's America was far from easy and Belafonte was confronted with the same Jim Crow laws and prejudices that every other black man, woman and child in America was facing.
Among other things, the film presents a brief look at the Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of an insider, someone who despite his high profile, wasn’t afraid to spend time in the trenches.
From Harlem to Mississippi to Africa and South Central Los Angeles, Sing Your Song takes us on a journey through Harry Belafonte’s life, work and most of all, his conscience, as it inspires us all to action!
Bookings are essential, and entry is free to all – we hope to see you there!
RSVP to samanda@spottedmallard.com, with your time of arrival, the number of people in your party and whether you'll be eating before the screening. First in best dressed. Seating is limited.
Mallard Movies is on the last Wednesday of every month. Coming up:
July 29: 'Patti Smith: Dream of Life'
August 28: 'Finding Fela'
More TBA soon!
Please email membership@pbsfm.org.au if you'd like to receive information about all upcoming Mallard Movies.
Mallard Movies presents Harry Belafonte: Sing Your Song on Wednesday 24 June at the Spotted Mallard, 314 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Dinner and early calypso tunes 7pm, introduction 8:15pm & screening 8:30pm
