In 1999 they look like sedate people in their forties. They lead a retired life with their families and have attained a reasonable social position. The fact that they are still alive and are doing quite well today is really a small miracle, according to the former Black Panther activist Kathleen Cleaver. Together with Bobby Seale, Jamal Joseph and Nile Rodgers, she made up the hard core of this militant movement that fought for equal rights and opportunities for blacks in America in the sixties. ‘Black is honest and beautiful' was their most famous slogan. Bobby Seale was one of the founders of this controversial political organisation. In the film, he returns to the places where he and his friends were assaulted by the police, and he tells how some of them were killed in front of his very eyes. Nowadays, Seale gives lectures now and then and visits penitentiaries, where he is still recognised by people who came and listened to his speeches in the sixties. ‘We weren't violent at all, but within the rules of the law, which allowed arms possession, we fought for better housing and more job opportunities for blacks', a still ardent Seale claims. Jamal Joseph was in prison for nine years and is currently active as a poet and playwright. Nile Rodgers became a very successful musician and music producer - one song he wrote and produced was the well-known hit song ‘We are family' by the Sisters Sledge. The numerous stock images reveal the Panthers as dedicated youngsters; some of them were only 16 years old when they became active for the BPP. To the question whether the situation for blacks is better today, a straightforward ‘yes' is not given.

1999, England / France / Germany / Belgium, Feature Documentary 35mm, 90mins

Director
Jens Meurer

Cinematography
Torsten Lippstock

Editing
Anne Weil

Sound
J.T. Takagi

Music
Nile Rodgers


Narrator
Jens Meurer

Production
Denis Freyd for Archipel 33


Country of Production: Belgium
Country of Production: Germany
Country of Production: England
Country of Production: France

www.bobbyseale.com
www.version-foto.de


FESTIVALS / SCREENINGS


Chicago
* In competition

Mill Valley
* In competition
Denver
* In competition

Sheffield.
* In competition

1999, IDFA, Amsterdam
* In competition
Selected for Docs for Sale 1999
* Competitive program: IDFA Competition for Feature-Length Documentary
www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=e8196100-4c01-4325-86c4-a7bca470abe3

Venice 1999
* World Premiere

____________

DE

Dokumentarfilm, Frankreich, Deutschland 1999

Ein Film über Revolution, über Weltverbesserer, über die 60er Jahre...und was danach kommt. Public Enemy zeigt vier faszinierende und bemerkenswerte Amerikaner, die eines gemeinsam haben: Sie gehörten als Mitglieder der schwarzen Befreiungs-bewegung Black Panthers zum Schrecken des amerikanischen Bürgertums: Kathleen Cleaver, Jamal Joseph, Nile Rodgers und Bobby Seale. Ikonen der 60er Jahre - und irgendwie auch Überbleibsel. Public Enemy ist ein Film über ihr Leben heute. Mit dramatischem Archivmaterial, aber auch Humor und viel Selbstironie. Original-Soundtrack von Nile Rodgers und Chic.

BUCH UND REGIE: Jens Meurer
KAMERA: Torsten Lippstock
PRODUZENT: Denis Freyd

in Koproduktion mit
Archipel 33 (Paris),
Egoli Films (Berlin) / www.egolitossell.com/nonfiction_public_enemy_d.php

Kinotar Oy
BROADCASTER: La Sept / ARTE, YLE, Channel 4, DR, RTBF

VERLEIH: Real Fiction

Weltpremiere:
Film Festival Venedig 1999
"Geheimtip!" - Cinema "...selbstironisch...vielschichtig..." - Film-Dienst "...spannende Doku..." - cinemataz
"...wunderbar lebendig..." - Der Spiegel
"...beeindruckend. Erfrischend." - Tagesspiegel
"Ein beglückender Film... Politisch korrekt, humorlos - so hätte der Film sein können. Zum Glück ist er das genaue Gegenteil." Berliner Zeitung

www.bobbyseale.com
www.version-foto.de