Request to Memphis Mayor Paul Young
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If you visit the Memphis Shelby County Film Commission's office what you see on the wall are only White Films by White Filmmakers whereas you will not find "INCLUDED" is "Black Memphis Film History." The 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical Film made in Memphis Film history is the 1988 Film Release "The Contemporary Gladiator."
Linn Sitler the Memphis Shelby County Filmm Commissioner used the function and authority of her office to erase "Black Memphis Film History." If you are a Black person in Memphis you are denied the inspiration of Black Film achivement and you are denied learning the story as to how in Memphis, Tennessee it was at 1035 Semmes Street in "Orange Mound" whereas 5 Time world Kickboxing Champion Anthony "Amp" Elmore brought in an all Black film crew and started production of Memphis 1st 35mm Independent theatrical Film "The Contemporary Gladiator." The all Black Film crew from Chicago starting filming in Orange Mound in November 1987.
Memphis Shelby County Film Commissioner Linn Sitler used her Memphis film Commission office to make sure the story was not told in Memphis that the Black Independent film "The Contemporary Gladiator" was being produced in Memphis. Anthony "Amp" Sent a News Release to the L.A. Times whereas on November 22, 1987 the L.A. Times covered the Film production that was racially obscured in Memphis. Below is the L.A. Time Archives. See yourself do an on line search.
Memphis use White Supremacy, Racism and Black on Black Racism to deny Black Memphis of the dignity and Inspiration of the knowledge that the 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical Film produced in Memphis Film history is the 1988 Memphis film release "The Contemporary Gladiator." It is easier for Memphis Black elected officials to deny Black history rather than Challenge White Racism. The question asked is will newly elected Black Memphis Mayor Paul Young have the "Moral Conscience" to rightfully acknowledge Black Memphis Film History.
The story of the Black Memphis 1988 movie "The Contemporary" was picked up by
Xeon picture whereas the released the movie under the title "Iron Thunder." Germany picked up the Memphis made movie and retitled the movie "Kick Box Gladiator." Memphis Shelby County Film Commissioner Linn Sitler used the function and authority of her office to make sure the story of "The Contemporary Gladiator" a Black Memphis movie story goes untold in Memphis. Anthony "Amp" Elmore who lives in "Orange Mound" in Memphis is rightfully "The Father of Independent Theatrical Filmmaking in Memphis." Such Black history makes Whites uncomfortable in Memphis. Whereas a Black man produced Memphis 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical film. |