Directors Abdi Ibrahim and Jonathan Salmon have released Who Am I, a short initiative film that is an unapologetic ode to the relationship between Black life and the art it creates. The film serves as a visual poem highlighting over 40 Black Seattle artists of all disciplines, ages, complexions and backgrounds in their environments as they recite a poem about the authenticity of their craft.
Who Am I is a call to action to fund two Black-led grassroots organizations in Seattle (Choose180 and Creative Justice) dedicated to restructuring the youth incarceration system in the county.
Ibrahim and Salmon felt a shift in their responsibility as artists to their community back on June 1. After the tragic death of George Floyd, Ibrahim and Salmon joined thousands in Downtown Seattle to protest against police brutality and systemic racism in Black and Brown communities in Seattle. As they protested on this day, Police began to shove, pepper spray, gas and shoot rubber bullets at Ibrahim and Salmon, among thousands of others. This experience left the directors scared, angry and determined to do more as artists and spawned the creation of Who Am I.
The film is the centerpiece of a social media campaign designed to raise awareness for each Black artist and creative involved as well as to generate the most funds for the donation campaign.
Credits
Production/Creative Abdi Ibrahim, Jonathan Salmon, directors; Randi Cerf, producer; Akunna Amaefule, Devonnie Black, William Dutcher, writers; Justin Jeffers, DP; Mitchell Overton, 1st assistant camera; Keegan Ellington, production sound. Editorial Niles Howard, editor. Music Sango, composer. Postproduction Dimitri Zola, colorist. Audio Post Jeff Malen, postproduction sound. Featured Artists (all from the Greater Seattle area) Abdi Ibrahim, Akunna Amaefule, Aramis Johnson, Ari Glass, Bakari Hayes, BigFaceRay, Bruce LeRoy, C Malo, Campana, Carlisa Williams, Darien Muongvang, Devlin Dinish, Edouardo Jordan, G Baby, Hanan Hassan, Himi Martin, JD Rainey, Jada Washington, Jak Knight, Jordan Nicholson, Jordan McLin, Justin Jeffers, Keegan Ellington, Khris P, Kianna Lewis, Liv, Meron Menghistab, Neveah Thompson, Nyles Davis, Perri Rhoden, Perry Paints, RaNiyah Cooper, Rell Be Free, Remix Young, Sango, Shotta Pistol, Sol, Taylor Fester, TiQuida Spillman, Tiffany Hammonds, Ugly Frank, Umi Wagone, Upe Moore, William Dutcher, YiZjuani Waston
Comcast and Xfinity have released this short, “Stay Connected to Your Dreams,” to celebrate the November 22 release of Universal Pictures’ feature film Wicked.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, based on the generation-defining blockbuster stage musical, stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. This short follows their journeys from childhood to present day, where they take on the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. Along the way, Wicked fans will be delighted by Easter eggs, including props from the film and Broadway show, and will experience emotional, real-life moments featuring the two stars. The short film was unveiled today (11/12) on Erivo and Grande’s social channels and can be viewed across television, social media and on an Xfinity site.
“Stay Connected to Your Dreams,” which is directed by Wicked DP Alice Brooks, ASC (via production house Superprime) in collaboration with Wicked director Jon M. Chu, taps into the power of connection, friendship and achieving your dreams. It begins with Grande and Erivo’s childhoods, and how Wicked fueled their love for music and film. It then moves through their teen years and into adulthood where Grande shared the fateful tweet in 2011 that playing Glinda in Wicked would be her dream role. The short film concludes with the actual footage from the videoconferencing call back in 2021, where both women learned they’ve been cast in the coveted roles of Elphaba and Glinda.
In addition, the short film will be the first-ever 4DX spot shown across the country. Theater-goers will feel the magic of Oz, complete with an immersive cinema experience combining on-screen visuals with synchronized motion seats... Read More
