Documentary Detailing Racism / Discrimination Faced by World Renowed Jazz Musician JON HENDRICKS....

DOCUMENTARY DETAILING RACISM/DISCRIMINATION FACED BY WORLD RENOWNED JAZZ MUSICIAN JON HENDRICKS AS WWII SOLDIER TO MAKE U.S. DEBUT AT THE AFRICAN DIASPORA FILM FESTIVAL AT THE RIVERSIDE THEATRE

Currently 87, Hendricks to be on-hand Following Screening for Q&A with Audience.

A documentary entitled Blues March: Soldier Jon Hendricks—detailing the life of current jazz great Jon Hendricks during WWII—will make its U.S. debut at the African Diaspora Film Festival on Thursday, December 3, 8:30 p.m. at The Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Ave. (bet. 120th & 122nd St.), Morningside Heights.
In Europe during World War II, then 22-year-old Jon Hendricks, along with 900,000 other black GIs, was fighting on two fronts: against the Nazis and against racial discrimination in the US Army as well as in the United States. For Hendricks, who is now 87, it finally turned out to be a triumphant double victory although he never fired a shot. This documentary tells the adventurous and moving story of Jon Hendricks, later a world-renowned jazz musician, who, because of discrimination and harassment, deserted the army as did so many Afro-Americans. By Malte Rauch, USA/Germany, 78min, documentary in English. Following the screening, Hendricks will be on-hand for a Q&A session with the audience.

In addition to Blues March, the Festival will feature eight other US premieres and two New York premieres, for a program of films—which include a fiery mix of documentary, spoken word poetry and dramatizations—that prominently highlight the work of independent African American filmmakers. The full Festival schedule can be found at http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/theatre/programs.php?p=african.
Tickets to the African Diaspora Film Festival are $10 general admission and $8 for seniors and students. For more information or to purchase tickets, the public can call (212) 870-6784 or visit http://www.theriversidetheatre.org/.
WHAT: 2009 AFRICAN DIASPORA FILM FESTIVAL: BLUES MARCH: SOLDIER JON HENDRICKS.
WHEN: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 8:30 P.M.
WHERE: THE RIVERSIDE THEATRE > 91 CLAREMONT AVE. (BET. 120TH & 122ND ST.)
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS