Abdul Ali: Welcome! Let’s get started with an introduction. I’ll begin: I’m Abdul Ali, co-founder and Managing Editor of NeoBlack Cinema Magazine.
Rachel Gordon: I’m Rachel Gordon and I’m a Director/Producer.
Abdul Ali: I consider myself a culture critic as much of my writing is commentary, particularly about music, film, art, etc…
Abdul Ali: How long have you been a director/producer?
Esther Iverem: Hi everybody!
Rachel Gordon: I have been producing since leaving college 13 years ago, but directing for 8 years
Rachel Gordon: I am glad I produced first and think every director should do it at least once
Abdul Ali: Hi Esther, we’ve just done introductions. (could you introduce yourself for Rachel)
Esther Iverem: I’m the founder and editor of SeeingBlack.com, a web site dedicated to Black voices on arts, media, and politics. I’ve worked as a journalist all of my adult life, focusing mainly on cultural criticism–especially movies.
Rachel Gordon: Cool! Print journalists, online or both?
Esther Iverem: I started work on newspapers, IN NYC at The New York Times and New York Newsday. Then I moved to DC and worked at The Washington Post before leaving to work on my own in 1998.
Rachel Gordon: Awesome! I grew up in Annandale so well acquainted with TWP.
Abdul Ali: So, I asked the two of you to discuss with me the idea of what a black film is? This question has become foggier. What do you think?
Rachel Gordon: Should I start off by explaining that I’m white but just came from collaborating with a Black writer and all Black cast? And what I…