“Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” are the specific choice of words that Angela Davis insisted be used when the plight to emancipate her was in progress. The film of the same name hits theaters today at select AMC theaters across the country.
Hitting screens in ATL, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, L.A., New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, and the chocolate city of Washington D.C., “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” is brilliant. An enlightening perspective on the life and trials of the Birmingham, Alabama born civil rights activist, ‘Free Angela’ is my favorite documentary experience since last year’s “Marley” (released 4/20). Directed and written by Shola Lynch, ‘Free Angela’ talks about the woman’s early life, her studies abroad and teaching in the U.S.; being a part of the Southern Negro Congress, and their association with the Communist Party; her involvement with the Soledad brothers case that led to her imprisonment; and the impact she had on people around the world.
Codeblack Films is the distributor for the new documentary “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners.” A film that chronicles the U.C.L.A. professor’s life, it’s Executive Produced by Overbrook Entertainment. Founded by Will Smith and James Lassiter, Overbrook is operated by Jada Pinkett Smith. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s Roc Nation are co-producers of the project. The documentary covers Davis’ contributions to the Black Panther party and how her trial came at the height of the Black Power Movement. Director Lynch also shows how she became one of America’s most renowned revolutionaries that was on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list during Herbert Hoover’s administration. 
April 5th marks the 40th anniversary of Angela Davis’ acquittal on charges of conspiracy, murder, and kidnapping by an all-white jury in San Jose, California.
In October 1970, Davis was arrested in New York City in connection with a shootout that occurred on August 7 in a San Raphael, California, courtroom. She was accused of supplying weapons to Jonathan Jackson, who burst into the courtroom in a bid to free inmates on trial there and take hostages whom he hoped to exchange for his brother George, a black radical imprisoned at San Quentin Prison. In the subsequent shoot-out with police, Jonathan Jackson was killed along with Superior Court Judge Harold Haley and two inmates. Davis, who had championed the cause of black prisoners and was friends with George Jackson, was indicted in the crime but went into hiding.
Presented by BET Networks,”Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” features some very candid moments with Davis, and was hailed by the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. In my humble opinion it’s a must see. The team of Smith and Carter are currently working on their remake of “Annie” starring the youngest actress to ever be nominated for an Academy Award, Quvenzhané Wallis. “Annie” is set for release on Christmas of 2014.
for the love of FUNKY documentaries
c-dub
