Buffalo Gal

I still had a lot of work to do when I left the office last night and almost begged off of the local premiere party for "Lackawanna Blues" Ruben Santiago-Hudson's gorgeous tribute to the woman who raised him in a rooming house about 12 miles from where I sit.
I'm so glad the lure of free food forced the better choice. The typical tableau of dignitaries were there, head of the local NAACP and the mayor of today's Lackawanna, but the majority of the audience were Black women. Strong Black women in hats or vibrant scarves making a statement in their very carriage.
S. Epatha Merkerson played "Nanny" with a power they knew and several maintained a dialogue with the screen throughout the film encouraging and celebrating "Nanny."
This is not "Nanny" as in "and-the-professor." Santiago- Hudson's de facto mother wasn't for hire. She took care of people for the simple fact they needed care. The homage to the woman, as well as the time and place, was so beautifully told it was no surprise actors like Lou Gossett Jr. and Jimmy Smits signed on for relatively minor roles.
When they ran footage of Lackawanna today near the end of the movie, I cried. My world was an East Side Italian neighborhood in the same time period. The similarities are much greater than the differences. Pride, identity and vibrancy have been replaced with empty buildings and boarded windows.
The jump and delta blues music was hardly background amusement, it moved the story and the audience. As the lights came up, I made a note to myself to look for the soundtrack. As we walked out of the auditorium, they handed us copies. The night was officially, at that moment, magic.
It was a joy to see a world so imperfectly wonderful celebrated. It reminded me that regardless of how long I stayed away and tried to deny it, this area is as much a part of me as a family member. I love this place. Western New York is NOT easy on it's own, but somehow it's worth the battle.
That HBO and producer Halle Berry would put it on the screen made me so proud.
I went to the HBO web site this morning to find out when it will air and saw they are promoting the movie with a contest trip - to New Orleans.
Go ahead and enter. And if you win tell them you'd rather go to Lackawanna.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
:: HOME :: The New Buffalo Gal :: Buffalo Rising :: The Buffalo Bloviator :: Buffalo NPR Station :: SABAH :: More Buffalo Weather Reality :: West Village :: Mary's Blog :: The Truth About Snow in Buffalo :: EMAIL ::
Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2005-02-10 7:25 AM Lackawanna Blues I still had a lot of work to do when I left the office last night and almost begged off of the local premiere party for "Lackawanna Blues" Ruben Santiago-Hudson's gorgeous tribute to the woman who raised him in a rooming house about 12 miles from where I sit. I'm so glad the lure of free food forced the better choice. The typical tableau of dignitaries were there, head of the local NAACP and the mayor of today's Lackawanna, but the majority of the audience were Black women. Strong Black women in hats or vibrant scarves making a statement in their very carriage. S. Epatha Merkerson played "Nanny" with a power they knew and several maintained a dialogue with the screen throughout the film encouraging and celebrating "Nanny." This is not "Nanny" as in "and-the-professor." Santiago- Hudson's de facto mother wasn't for hire. She took care of people for the simple fact they needed care. The homage to the woman, as well as the time and place, was so beautifully told it was no surprise actors like Lou Gossett Jr. and Jimmy Smits signed on for relatively minor roles. When they ran footage of Lackawanna today near the end of the movie, I cried. My world was an East Side Italian neighborhood in the same time period. The similarities are much greater than the differences. Pride, identity and vibrancy have been replaced with empty buildings and boarded windows. The jump and delta blues music was hardly background amusement, it moved the story and the audience. As the lights came up, I made a note to myself to look for the soundtrack. As we walked out of the auditorium, they handed us copies. The night was officially, at that moment, magic. It was a joy to see a world so imperfectly wonderful celebrated. It reminded me that regardless of how long I stayed away and tried to deny it, this area is as much a part of me as a family member. I love this place. Western New York is NOT easy on it's own, but somehow it's worth the battle. That HBO and producer Halle Berry would put it on the screen made me so proud. I went to the HBO web site this morning to find out when it will air and saw they are promoting the movie with a contest trip - to New Orleans. Go ahead and enter. And if you win tell them you'd rather go to Lackawanna. Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top