Film Premiere of When They Speak: Stories of Black Men by New Young Black Woman Filmmaker
Washington, D.C. – On Sunday, Mar 13, 2022, filmmaker and photographer Cipriana Thompson will premiere her first independent film, When They Speak: Stories of Black Men in America at Planet Word, 925 13th Street, NW Washington DC 20005, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.
When They Speak chronicles conversations with 13 Black men about their experiences in an America that’s both ever-changing and unchanging. These men of varied backgrounds and lives vulnerably share what troubles them, scares them and brings them hope. A candid and insightful conversation like no other.
“In the winter of 2014, I began interviewing Black men of various ages and backgrounds to share their stories,” said director, producer, writer Cipriana Thompson. “I wanted to hear more. In the DC and Atlanta areas alone, I captured images of almost 50 men as they shared their experiences of being Black men in America. I was fascinated and saddened and hopeful and angry. The range of emotions were as broad as they come. The openness and willingness of these brothers to share their thoughts and lives with me was truly humbling.”
Among the men featured includes President of Virginia State University Dr. Makola M. Abdullah and Joe Paul, Chief Executive Officer at Byte Back. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Cirilo Manego, co-creator of the media platform, Black With No Chaser.
About the Filmmaker
Cipriana Thompson is a filmmaker, documentarian and owner of Cipriana Thompson Photography. She has been capturing images of the life around her since she was a young child. She enjoys telling stories through imagery and has a passion for helping to amplify the voices of the underrepresented and unheard. A Maryland-native, Cipriana is a graduate of Florida A&M University and North Carolina State University, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
