Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and Presented by TD Bank

During Black History Month

FEBRUARY 22 – 25, 2018 | www.FADETOBLACK.ca

Montreal, January 23, 2018 – The Fade to Black Festival (Fondu au Noir), created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by TD Bank, is back for a seventh inspirational and eclectic season. Because the year 2018 marks 215 years of Haitian independence, the Festival’s theme will be ‘Hommage à Haïti et ses talents’ [A tribute to Haitian talent], all the while commemorating the #MeToo global movement that inspires women to take a stand and speak up. This will take place on the Festival’s closing night. From February 22 to 25, Fade to Black will celebrate Black History Month with a program featuring film, comedy, music, and discussions. Tickets, trailers, and details available at www.FadeToBlack.ca

MOVIE-TALK: KAFOU

Thursday, February 22, 2018 – 7PM – Free admission (Reserve online)  

Maison culturelle et communautaire de Montréal-Nord (12004, blvd. Rolland, Montreal)

Presented in collaboration with l’Arrondissement de Montréal-Nord.

Directed by Bruno Mourral – Haïti | 2017 / 51’ – Creole with French subtitles.

With: Jasmuel Andri, Rolaphton Mercure, Manfred Marcelin, Rolando Étienne

A Q&A with Gilbert Archambault, co-screenwriter and producer of the film, will follow the screening

SYNOPSIS : Port-au-Prince by night. Doc and Zoe are just hired to deliver an unknown package. Their job comes with three essential rules: Never stop the car. Never roll down the windows. Never open the trunk. Doc and Zoe stumble upon a dog at a crossroad. Every crossroad requires a sacrifice. Their decision will change their path irreversibly.

COMEDY SHOW: ZABOKA – PRISE 2!
Friday, February 23, 2018 – 7PM – $30
Salle Marie-Gérin-Lajoie, UQAM (1400 Rue Berri, Montreal)

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Following a huge success during the 1st ZABOKA performance, Garihanna and Cynthia Jean-Louis are back with ZABOKA – PRISE 2! A comedy show by Garihanna and Cynthia Jean-Louis, presenting 70% Creole content and 30% French content

This is an offbeat, intelligent, hilarious, and surprising comedy that includes extra sketches. The sisters are more energetic than ever before, warning us not to be overwhelmed by their “soft” side through their unambiguous “Nou Ka Mou, Men N’ Gen Grenn!” slogan. The show has a hard core, just like the avocado—the fruit the sisters named their show after. This is obvious from the themes the sisters have chosen. A show for all ages. Not intended for the innocent at heart!!!

The lead actress in Pawòl Chouchoun (the Haitian version of The Vagina Monologues), CYNTHIA JEAN-LOUIS was crowned 2016 Comedian of the Year by the country’s Le Nouvelliste for her Cynthia fait son show performance. GARIHANNA JEAN-LOUIS was the first black graduate from Quebec’s École nationale de l’humour. She received the 2017 Prix Révélation for performing with her sister Cynthia during Haiti’s Festival du rire.

CONCERT: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MANNO CHARLEMAGNE WITH BEETHOVA OBAS
Saturday, February 24, 2018 – 7PM – $35
Salle Marie-Gérin-Lajoie, UQAM (1400 Rue Berri, Montreal)

Presenting… BEETHOVA OBAS & Friends! Enjoy a precious moment of music featuring Beethova Obas and his friends on stage as they present songs by legendary Haitian singer Manno Charlemagne. Beethova Obas is an artist steadfastly committed to peace and a more just society; he used Manno’s music as a symbol of kindness and serenity, all the while referring to the legendary singer as his mentor. Anecdotes about the artist, who recently passed, abound. Beethova will present Manno’s greatest hits with emotion and humour during this premiere. What a great tribute to Manno Charlemagne!

MOVIE-TALK: THE RAPE OF RECY TAYLOR

Sunday, February 25, 2018 – 7PM – $20

Concordia Theatre Hall (1455, Blvd De Maisonneuve W, Montreal)

Nancy Buirski – USA | 2017 / 91’ – English | Quebec Premiere

A Q&A will follow the screening

SYNOPSIS: Recy Taylor, a 24-year-old black mother and sharecropper, was gang raped by six white boys in 1944 Alabama. Common in Jim Crow South, few women spoke up in fear for their lives. Not Recy Taylor, who bravely identified her rapists. The NAACP sent its chief rape investigator Rosa Parks, who rallied support and triggered an unprecedented outcry for justice. This film exposes a legacy of physical abuse of black women and reveals Rosa Parks’ intimate role in Recy Taylor’s story.

« Recy Taylor, a name I know and I think you should know, too » – OPRAH WINFREY during her acceptance speech at the 2018 Golden Globes Awards (as first black woman to ever receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes)

ABOUT FESTIVAL FONDU AU NOIR / FADE TO BLACK

Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, a non-profit artistic organization dedicated to advancing education in the arts as well as promoting Cinema, Art and Culture here and abroad, FADE TO BLACK / FONDU AU NOIR Celebrates Black History Month. It helps to remember the past, understand the present and better prepare the future through films, music, dance, theater, literature, panel discussions and so much more. “Getting to Know each other better is the best way to avoid misunderstandings”. Fade to Black wants to: Encourage openness to diversity; Promote intercultural understanding between the people of Quebec; Bring a better understanding of Black culture and realities of black communities; as well as Raise awareness through programs that provoke, educate and entertain. www.FadeToBlack.ca  

Contact : Véronique Fecteau | Publicist | veronique@perfecteaucomm.com | 514-893-0772