Comments from a theater artist on Stepping Into the Future—On the Occasion of the Publication of BAsics, A Celebration of Revolution and the Vision of a New World
December 27, 2013 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us
The opening of the film worked for me. Before we heard any talking or knew anything, we heard the saxophone. In many traditional African belief systems, the old wise ones say, "The Spirit will not descend without song." So, in that sense, the sax was summoning Spirit. Also, it announces that something is about to happen. Nice.
I loved the series of Imagine's right at the top. And BA's voice. It is an easy entry way into the matters at hand, especially for those who know nothing about BA and his work.
I felt the intro sections were clear. They tapped into current frustrations felt by most of the 99%. Very effective hooks. And BAsics was featured, conceptually laying in that BA and BAsics have solutions to those frustrations.
I loved reg e. gaines' passage that all people from the 2nd grader to the PH.D need and can understand BAsics. Boom, there it is!
The film laid out an alternative vision with an historical underpinning that is multi-generational, globally interconnected and humane. It showed how one's personal struggles are really global struggles. It challenged us by saying we are responsible for being complicit in maintaining the current misery or changing it.
I really liked the segment of prison letters that were read... Music underscoring is some sections were very effective. Not bothered at all that some of the shots were not "perfect". Made the film less polished, slick and commercial. More down home.
Stepping Into the Future invites in those who want their lives to be about something large and significant. It has a poet's soul. I've always felt BA himself, for someone so fiercely analytical, has a poet's soul, driven by love for decency in humanity and loathing for inhumanity. Several important tenets were reinforced in the film, like a solid core with elasticity. And it demonstrates an acceptance of the value of artistic expression (music to these artist's ears). It made revolution seem less scary, necessary and possible.
I left the event feeling up. And like…damn, I wish I were there.
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