Black to the Future: Chris Ivey and Hyperboy Media
Shamelessly, I will continue to big up give shout outs to plug feature my friends here periodically during the 32 Days of Black History celebration. What can I say? I have a busy, happenin’ group of friends. 
One such friend is Chris Ivey, a Pittsburgh-based filmmaker who is pissing people off around town, especially people who would prefer that we not complain about the gentrification happening in the section of the city known as East Liberty (though, even the name is being gentrified, of late).
Chris is filming “East of Liberty” (video clips here) in chapters. Chapters 1 (”A Story of Good Intentions”) and 2 are completed, and Chapter 3 is in production. A few words about Chapter 1 (written just prior to its London premiere):
Chris Ivey, a seasoned filmmaker in Pittsburgh, first started working on the project in May 2005.
He found himself filming a publicity stunt in which paint bombs were being launched by employees of the regeneration company from a giant catapult at a soon-to-be demolished tower block, East Mall. But, admist the revelry, he found residents far from happy.
“I was hired to document the tearing down of the high rises. At the same time I interviewed some of the residents who lived in the high rises and they weren’t happy at all because of the spectacle that was before them. They were really angry. It was their home, it was where they used to live, some for 30 years or more. Even though in many ways it wasn’t the best place to live it was all they had and to see strangers having fun by shooting paintballs at the block left them furious.”
And so began a journey of investigation in which previous silent rage was given space to talk.
The film first debuted in the US last Autumn, and the response has astounded the director:
“The reception here has been really incredible. It’s the most talked about thing in the city right now. There’s been loads of coverage in the papers and everybody around town is talking about it. All the screenings have sold out. The people at the screenings are really passionate – they’re always asking what they can do to get involved.”
Chris Ivey will be attending the event and answering questions at the end. On the prospect of showing the documentary here in London he said:
“I’m really looking to forward to coming to Hackney to show my film. Gentrification isn’t just happening here in the States, it’s also happening all over the world too. Sometimes it’s race, and sometimes it’s class, but it always comes down to the money – who has it and who doesn’t, and if you don’t have it you’ll get screwed.”
Chapter 2, “The Fear of Us” will screen at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in–you guessed it–East Liberty Feb. 29 - Mar. 2.
More Chris clips here.
(Bonus: If you call Chris’s cellphone, which is also his business line, you’ll hear the cutest little 4-year-old voice saying, “HYPERBOY!…[pause]…MEDIA!…Leave a message!” The voice belongs to my Baby Girl.)
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
You are in the midst of a blogathon celebrating 32 Days of Black History! Yvette at Six Impossible Things…and I are joined by InkogNegro,Christina, Chris,and Tami.Visit, comment, bookmark!
February 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I am so glad I happened upon your blog! I’ve been so impressed with the gammoth of interesting, informative and enlightening discussions. This documentary sounds very fascinating!