The Black Candle, The First Ever Documentary About The African-American Cultural Holiday, Kwanzaa, Kicks Off The Holidays With 22 Million Celebrants Worldwide

Posted by editor@vimooz.com on December 27, 2008 under Documentary | Comments are off for this article

“The Black Candle” is the first ever documentary about the African-American cultural holiday Kwanzaa featuring narration by Dr. Maya Angelou as well as some of her original poems. Writer-producer-director M.K. Asante, Jr. takes viewers across the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean to look at the evolution of Kwanzaa and why 22 million celebrants embrace the holiday annually from December 26th – January 1st.

“The Black Candle” also explores the seven principles of Kwanzaa (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith) and how these principles can positively impact everyday life.

Director M.K. Asante, Jr. is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and professor of creative writing and film at Morgan State University. Described by the Los Angeles Times as one of “America’s best storytellers,” Asante wrote and produced the film 500 Years Later; winner of five international awards including the Breaking the Chains award from UNESCO. He is also author of the books “Like Water Running Off My Back”, “Beautiful And Ugly Too”, and “It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop”. [via]