Customer Reviews

The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The most powerful word I can come up with is Awesome!! This was a beautiful documentary that not only speaks to Kwanzaa but the Black Power Movement as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on showing at our local Kwanzaa events. It is very educational and should be included in the study of the History of kidnapped/sold/bought/enslaved African people in relation to their journey here in North America. The quality is excellent. I applaud M.K.Asante Jr. for this work. Keep it Up!!

"The Black Candle" dvd provided some background information on the seven day celebration. There were still some questions regarding the items used in the celebration. Additionally, more recognizable contributors should have been included. Still, it was a good historical piece.

While there is no shortage of new movies highlighting the commercial side of Christmas each winter, finding a movie that centered squarely on Kwanzaa and its importance in the Black Community was once a fruitless undertaking. No longer is this the case. The Black Candle, a marvelous movie about Kwanzaa, narrated by Dr. Maya Angelou, directed by M.K. Asante, Jr., and produced by Ben Haaz tastefully celebrates Kwanzaa! This powerful film is supported by the moving insights of engaging voices like poet icon Amiri Baracka and hip hop's own Chuck D; seasoned by the musical scores of jazz musicians like Derrick Hodge and carried upwards by the vocal wonders of jazz vocalist Nnena Freelon.

The Black Candle is an inviting, dynamic, collection of testimonials which serve to gently remind us about our enduring truths and empowers us to continue moving beyond pressing issues. Be sure to go to The Black Candle.com to sign up to receive updates about local events near you! Buy this NOW... and pick up a few extra's to give as gifts! The void has been filled...

The sounds of drums called the community to the Rich Theater of The Woodruff Arts center in Atlanta; they were showing The Black Candle. So, I took my daughters to see the movie. While we waited for the film to begin an attendant passed out popcorn. Shortly thereafter, the presentation began; Maya Angelo introduced all of the inexorable principles of Kwanzaa through the images of people of African descent. Watch this show to find out why you should celebrate Kwanzaa- to discover your culture.

The imortance of and significance of Kwanzaa to African Americans in their continual battle to define themselves amid the vile of oppression of the American system is a focus not lost in this film.

Kwanzaa is a very special holiday and this DVD is a very nice beginning to understanding it. I really enjoyed The Black Candle and look forward to something more about my favorite holiday. I feel they did a wonderful job covering the topic and I also enjoyed the old footage too. This movie allowed me to research other topics by having a lot of different facet in the movie. Thank you for the information it was very enlightening.

You must have this DVD to show during your Kwanzaa celebration. It is important for those, as I had been, who have never celebrated Kwanzaa before and even more so, for those who are born after 1970. These young people generally have little idea about what had been happening in the country at that time, and what "the Struggle" means. It is a powerful, eye opening film.

The trailer had already sparked my interest, and visioning the whole work went even beyond my expectations.
It is an excellent piece of didactics film making with a warm flavor of cultural pride; an elevating spirit of celebration, and a fine sense to tackle critical issues in the struggle for survival and agency of African people in the Diaspora.
The sensible mixture of Maya Angelou's poetry and narration, with pieces of interviews, statements and academic snapshots by distinguished African American intellectuals and activists; the blend of archival materials and lively reports of several community organizations underlined by an outstanding musical sound track, all reflect the serious and committed research conducted by M.K. Asante, Jr. not only in America but also in Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.
The music by Nnenna Freelon and Derrick Hodge and the script written by M.K. Asante, Jr. himself are also excellent and inspiring. The Black Candle is a document of celebration of African people and should be viewed by everyone committed to truth, history, and memory. The Black Candle should also have a place in every African home and in any institution concerned with cultural understanding as an extremely important piece of scholarship towards African resurgence.

Ana Monteiro-Ferreira
Nov. 24, 2008

What an amazing time to be alive and M.K. Asante Jr.'s work "The Black Candle" is ever so timely. The global connections need to continue to be made and he has definitely brought us to task in pushing ourselves forward with this film. Not only is it a must see, it is a MUST HAVE for your film library. Congratulations to you M.K. and the rest of the crew who made this a successful contribution to our story.

In Love and Celebration
Zamani-Ra
[...]

The Civil Rights history and the Kwanzaa candle lighting ceremony was interesting. But the presentation of the above, was a little "disjointed."