Opening Night event May 29 830pm
When They See Us
Based on a true story that gripped the country, When They See Us is a sweeping drama chronicling the notorious case of the Central Park Five–Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise–five teenagers of color from Harlem who were convicted of a rape they did not commit. Beginning in the spring of 1989, when the teenagers were first questioned about the incident, Netflix’s four-part limited series spans 25 years, highlighting their exoneration in 2002 and the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014.
When They See Us was created by Ava DuVernay, who also co-wrote and directed all four parts of the series. The phenomenal ensemble cast includes Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, Niecy Nash, Blair Underwood, Christopher Jackson, Joshua Jackson, Omar J. Dorsey, Adepero Oduye, Famke Janssen, Aurora Perrineau, William Sadler, Jharrel Jerome, Jovan Adepo, Aunjanue Ellis, Kylie Bunbury, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Storm Reid, Dascha Polanco, Chris Chalk, Freddy Miyares, Justin Cunningham, Ethan Herisse, Caleel Harris, Marquis Rodriguez, and Asante Blackk.
June 2Queen Sugar Season 4 premiere
Created by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay and focusing on a multi-generational, African-American family of sugar farmers, Queen Sugar follows the Bordelon siblings as they fight to preserve their father’s legacy and deal with the everyday drama and joys of life. As season four picks up, Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) continues to battle the Landry family while also trying to ensure Micah’s (Nicholas Ashe) safety and future. Nova (Rutina Wesley) publishes her memoir and is unnerved to encounter significant people from her past while on book tour. Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) adjusts to co-parenting with his ex-fiancé Darla (Bianca Lawson) after learning he is not the biological father of his son, Blue (Ethan Hutchison), and is encouraged by an old friend to create opportunities for formerly incarcerated men.
Executive produced by Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, Paul Garnes and Anthony Sparks, who also serves as showrunner, the series is helmed by an entirely female directorial team, led this season by producing director Cheryl Dunye. Split Screens is proud to screen the premiere episode of season four of Queen Sugar, followed by a discussion with key cast-members, creators, and filmmakers.
In attendance: Actors Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe, and Rutina Wesley, showrunner and episode writer Anthony Sparks, and producing director and episode director Cheryl Dunye
June 2Twilight Zone
Created by Rod Serling, the classic anthology series The Twilight Zone never shied away from political and social themes. CBS All Access’ re-imagining of the show, executive produced by Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) and Simon Kinberg (X-Men), continues the tradition in a distinctly contemporary voice. One of the highlights from its first season is “Replay,” an ominous, unforgettable thriller about police brutality and institutional racism.
Star Sanaa Lathan (The Affair, Native Son) and “Replay” screenwriter Selwyn Seyfu Hinds join us for a closer look into this chilling episode, centered around Nina (Lathan), a mother who discovers her old camcorder can rewind time during a trip with her college-bound son Dorian (Damson Idris of Snowfall). Their journey turns nightmarish when they are continually targeted by Officer Lasky (Glenn Fleshler).
Now available to watch in stunning black-and-white, “Replay” turns a persistent modern American tragedy into a parable that also evokes elements of the classic series.
In attendance: Actress Sanaa Lathan and screenwriter Selwyn Seyfu Hinds
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