Last Tuesday night Imagenation presented the world premiere screening of Jackson 5 in Africa at the National Black Theatre in Harlem. As you can see from the film's first nine and a half minutes (which have leaked onto youtube - much to the screening organizers chagrin, I'm sure), it's still raw. In fact, it's officially unfinished - at least as officially as anyone can deduce given the mystery that surrounds the footage.
Co-produced along with Joe Jackson by the late Senegalese-born actor Johnny Sekka, the project - which documents the J5's 1974 concerts in Dakar - was abandoned when the filmmakers ran out of funding, remaining essentially forgotten until recently (we actually found out about this screening the day MJ passed). The lone known (16mm) print was apparently acquired by an African-American businessman working in the diamond industry from a member of the film's original production crew - reputedly swapped straight up for a rough diamond. Actor Robert Hooks (Trouble Man's "Mr. T") narrates, supplying play by play for the J5's arrival at the airport, press conferences, interaction with locals, and other events befitting visiting dignitaries (including an awards ceremony honoring Papa Joe that Jermaine memorably giggles through). And though the concert footage is predictably mesmerizing - sending Tuesday's audience into a frenzy at Michael's every head bob, leg kick, spin, and synchronized step with Jackie and Marlon - it's also brief. The doc's focus being more on moments like the fam's visit to former Dutch slave house dungeons on Goree Island.
Michael appears decidedly contemplative throughout. The seriousness with which he absorbed it all confirmed post-screening when activist/photographer Kwame Braithwaite - the tour's official lensman - was spotted in the audience and persuaded to share a few thoughts; MJ's expression on the ferry back from Goree Island providing one of Braithwaite's most lasting memories. Then as if magically summoned, others who were also present on that sojourn stood up from the audience and spoke. Visibly moved by what she just re-lived via the big screen, journalist Linda Tarrant-Reid reiterated the impact of the entire experience, and it was clear she didn't just mean on the Jacksons.
She also directed a message to those who may have dismissed the effects of vitiligo, the pigment loss condition with which Michael was afflicted: it's realer than you think. "I know," she said showing her paled hand, "because I also have it." Emotions flooding forth, she stopped, unable to get another word out. She didn't need to. Supportive applause filled the room and serenaded our exit - a picture perhaps just a bit clearer than before.
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