Charles Burnett is best known for his landmark portraits of Black American life, from the aching neorealism of “Killer of Sheep” to the mordant mysticism of “To Sleep with Anger,” his films aim to depict the broken contract the country made with its African American citizens in the aftermath of World War II.
His lesser-known masterpiece “My Brother’s Wedding,” however, is emblematic of a different continuum running through Burnett’s films: the theme of becoming.
An intimate window into early ’80s Los Angeles, where confluences of Black Southern roots were still trying to flower in a hostile urban environment — “My Brother’s Wedding” is a heated tale about the perils of upward mobility, the rising drug epidemic, and the tight alliance shared by two Black men, Pierce (Everett Silas) and Soldier (Ronnie Bell), the latter of whom has just been released from prison as the film begins.
Young and proudly working-class,...
His lesser-known masterpiece “My Brother’s Wedding,” however, is emblematic of a different continuum running through Burnett’s films: the theme of becoming.
An intimate window into early ’80s Los Angeles, where confluences of Black Southern roots were still trying to flower in a hostile urban environment — “My Brother’s Wedding” is a heated tale about the perils of upward mobility, the rising drug epidemic, and the tight alliance shared by two Black men, Pierce (Everett Silas) and Soldier (Ronnie Bell), the latter of whom has just been released from prison as the film begins.
Young and proudly working-class,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Robert Daniels
- Indiewire
The St. Louis Central Library downtown (1301 Olive Blvd) is teaming up with Cinema St. Louis and the St. Louis International Film Festival to present Directors Cut: The Films Of Charles Burnett.
Charles Burnett is a writer-director whose work has received extensive honors. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, his family soon moved to the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Burnett studied creative writing at UCLA before entering the University’s graduate film program. His thesis project, Killer of Sheep (1977), won accolades at film festivals and a critical devotion; in 1990, it was among the first titles named to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. European financing allowed Burnett to shoot his second feature, My Brother’s Wedding (1983), but a rushed debut prevented the filmmaker from completing his final cut until 2007. In 1988, Burnett was awarded the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur (“genius grant”) Fellowship. His first widely released film, To Sleep with Anger...
Charles Burnett is a writer-director whose work has received extensive honors. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, his family soon moved to the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Burnett studied creative writing at UCLA before entering the University’s graduate film program. His thesis project, Killer of Sheep (1977), won accolades at film festivals and a critical devotion; in 1990, it was among the first titles named to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. European financing allowed Burnett to shoot his second feature, My Brother’s Wedding (1983), but a rushed debut prevented the filmmaker from completing his final cut until 2007. In 1988, Burnett was awarded the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur (“genius grant”) Fellowship. His first widely released film, To Sleep with Anger...
- 10/14/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Just more than a week after Season 2 of Ballers kicked off on HBO, today the network, star Dwayne Johnson and executive producers Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson scored a touchdown against claims the series was based on Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton's Off Season. “The themes in the two concepts are widely different,” said Judge George Wu at a Monday morning hearing in downtown L.A after granting a motion from the premium cabler and the other defendants to dismiss…...
- 7/25/2016
- Deadline TV
HBO's Ballers is coming back for a second season, but the nearly six-month-old $200 million copyright lawsuit against the Dwayne Johnson-starring NFL comedy should be sent off the field, the premium cabler says. Along with EPs Johnson, Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson, HBO filed a motion of dismissal in federal court on April 15 against Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton's claims that the series was lifted from their Off Season work. "The Court need do nothing more…...
- 4/18/2016
- Deadline TV
Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg might have to dig deep into their pockets if a lawsuit over their HBO series “Ballers” goes against them. Johnson and Wahlberg are being sued by a pair of Palmdale, California writers who allege that “Ballers” lifts from their own work, and in an amended complaint filed in federal court in California on Tuesday, they tacked on a $200 million damages tag. In the suit, Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton claim that “Ballers” lifts numerous elements from their own work, “Off Season.” Also Read: Dwayne Johnson Fights for Money and Respect in First 'Ballers' Season 2 Trailer.
- 3/17/2016
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
While Ballers may have become a successful hit on HBO, even gaining itself a second season, it's causing quite the legal battle for Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. E! News obtained the documents that reveal Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton are suing the Hollywood hunks for $200 million dollars for allegedly ripping off their idea. The pair claims they created the show called Off Season in 2007 and came to Wahlberg and Johnson with the idea in 2008. However, after being refused "created by" credit, the show ended up falling apart in 2009. Thus, Silas and Littleton are alleging Wahlberg and Johnson used their material without owning the rights to it, claiming 27 similarities...
- 3/16/2016
- E! Online
The folks suing Mark Wahlberg and The Rock for allegedly ripping off the idea for the HBO show "Ballers" have now put a price tag on the lawsuit ... $200 Million. As we reported, Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton filed the lawsuit in December, claiming there are 27 similarities between "Ballers" and a show they created back in 2007 called "Off Season." "Ballers" -- a show in which The Rock is a retired football player who becomes a financial...
- 3/16/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Two writers have sued actors Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, along with Ballers creator Stephen Levinson and HBO. The writers, Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton, claim that HBO and the series producers stole the basic premise of the show from an original movie of theirs called Off Season. The pair filed suit on Thursday in U.S. District Court in California. […]
The post Mark Wahlberg And Dwayne Johnson Sued For Copyright Infringement Over ‘Ballers’ appeared first on uInterview.
The post Mark Wahlberg And Dwayne Johnson Sued For Copyright Infringement Over ‘Ballers’ appeared first on uInterview.
- 12/23/2015
- by Pablo Mena
- Uinterview
Ballers executive producers Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson are facing a copyright lawsuit, according to Deadline. The pair, as well as HBO and Entourage co-producer Stephen Levinson, are being sued for allegedly ripping off a concept called Off Season originally written by Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton. Wahlberg, who has a history of taking bad news badly, received a copy of Off Season's trailer, treatment, and screenplay in 2007, with hopes that Wahlberg and Johnson would star; when Silas and Littleton were told they would not receive "created by" credits, they balked. You know that scene in The Dark Knight when Morgan Freeman talks to the guy who plans on blackmailing a man who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands? Well, someone might want to show the writers Pain & Gain.
- 12/19/2015
- by Greg Cwik
- Vulture
Update 3:40 p.m. Pst: HBO said in a statement: “We are confident the case has no merit.” Previously: HBO and the producing team behind comedy series “Ballers” are being sued for copyright infringement. According to court documents obtained by TheWrap, Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton have filed suit in federal court alleging that the premise for the show was stolen from their project, “Off Season.” The plaintiffs allege that “Off Season” and “Ballers” share many similarities, including both being about the on-the-field and off-the-field antics of professional football players, and having Miami, Florida, as a setting. Also Read: HBO Renews 'Ballers' for Season.
- 12/18/2015
- by Linda Ge
- The Wrap
The football comedy series Ballers from the premium cabler took a hit today with a copyright lawsuit that has as many twists and turns as some of the best NFL plays you'd see on any given Sunday. Writers Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton sued HBO, star and Ep Dwayne Johnson, Ep Mark Wahlberg and creator and Ep Stephen Levinson in federal court Thursday. Seeking unspecified punitive, compensatory and special damages, the duo claim the cabler and the producers lifted the…...
- 12/18/2015
- Deadline TV
Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and HBO just got sued for intercepting the idea for their show "Ballers." According to a lawsuit filed in federal court, Everette Silas and Sherri Littleton say they had the idea for a project called "Off Season" back in 2007. They claim they were close to a deal in 2009 to work with Wahlberg, Johnson and their manager to develop the project ... but it fell apart when Silas and Littleton insisted...
- 12/18/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Damn! I totally effed up and scheduled our podcast season debut tonight, completely forgetting that the MoMA Charles Burnett retrospective also begins tonight! And with his masterpiece too, Killer Of Sheep, which I Still haven’t seen on the big screen, and really want to. I have the recently released DVD issue, but, I think this is a film I’d really love to see in a theater, in all its gritty black and white glory.
Anyway… I already alerted you to this about 2 or 3 weeks ago, so consider this a reminder! MoMA sent out the below press release which details the entire retrospective.
But I’ll break it down for you:
What is it? Charles Burnett is being feted at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art, here in New York City) with a series titled Charles Burnett: The Power To Endure.
When is it? April 6-25, 2011.
Where is it?...
Anyway… I already alerted you to this about 2 or 3 weeks ago, so consider this a reminder! MoMA sent out the below press release which details the entire retrospective.
But I’ll break it down for you:
What is it? Charles Burnett is being feted at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art, here in New York City) with a series titled Charles Burnett: The Power To Endure.
When is it? April 6-25, 2011.
Where is it?...
- 4/6/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Have you purchased your tickets yet?
I already alerted you to this 2 weeks ago week I believe it was. Consider this a reminder! MoMA sent out the below press release which details the entire retrospective.
But I’ll break it down for you:
What is it? Charles Burnett is being feted at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art, here in New York City) with a complete retrospective titled Charles Burnett: The Power To Endure.
When is it? April 6-25, 2011.
Where is it? At MoMA of course – specifically, the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters.
How much will each screening cost you? $10 adults; $8 seniors, 65 years and over with I.D. $6 full-time students with current I.D.
The full lineup follows below. As can be expected, Killer Of Sheep, My Brother’s Wedding, To Sleep With Anger, The Glass Shield, and other of his most known films, will screen.
But of most...
I already alerted you to this 2 weeks ago week I believe it was. Consider this a reminder! MoMA sent out the below press release which details the entire retrospective.
But I’ll break it down for you:
What is it? Charles Burnett is being feted at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art, here in New York City) with a complete retrospective titled Charles Burnett: The Power To Endure.
When is it? April 6-25, 2011.
Where is it? At MoMA of course – specifically, the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters.
How much will each screening cost you? $10 adults; $8 seniors, 65 years and over with I.D. $6 full-time students with current I.D.
The full lineup follows below. As can be expected, Killer Of Sheep, My Brother’s Wedding, To Sleep With Anger, The Glass Shield, and other of his most known films, will screen.
But of most...
- 4/1/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
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