Come out to the chapel hill landmark, varsity theatre, for a screening of strange fruit, the first documentary exploring the history and legacy of the billie holiday classic. Nov 06, 2002 strange fruit, a polished, wellstructured documentary written and directed by joel katz, relates the intricate and intriguing history of the title song, a pioneering attempt to inject social. Bestknown from billie holidays haunting 1939 rendition, the song strange fruit is a. In a one hour running time, katz explores how a white jewish schoolteacher came to write the song which holiday claimed, incorrectly, was written for her and which was later adopted by the civil rights movement. Joel katz s film touches as well on meeropols link to another part of 20thcentury american history. The bluegrass special billie holiday strange fruit. The film, directed by joel katz, gives greater emphasis to meeropols story, and also presents. May 20, 2002 in 1937, after seeing a photo depicting the lynching of a black man in the south, bronxborn high school teacher abel meeropol wrote a poem entitled strange fruit that begins with the words. Strange fruit, documentary that explores the history and legacy of the song, directed and produced by joel katz. Strange fruit is a song performed by billie holiday, who first sang and recorded it in 1939. The film, directed by joel katz, gives greater emphasis to meeropols story, and also presents interviews dealing with the historic and contemporary significance of the song.
Strange fruit was first telecast as a presentation of the pbs anthology independent lens. Strange fruit had everything that makes a legendary rockband. In 1937, after seeing a photo depicting the lynching of a black man in the south, bronxborn high school teacher abel meeropol wrote a poem entitled strange fruit that begins with the words. The plot concerns a fictional 1970s rock band named strange fruit, who, after being split up for two decades, are persuaded to get back together to perform at a reunion of the same concert venue where they played their last gig. Its music and lyrics were written by abel meerpol pen name lewis allan a bronx public school teacher but are attributed to billie holiday, who first sang strange fruit in 1939 at barney josephsons cafe society, new yorks first integrated nightclub. In his excellent documentary, also called strange fruit, filmmaker joel katz takes a fascinating look at the origins and impact of a ballad thats been called one of ten songs that changed the. Joel katz s strange fruit is a meditation on the song of the same name that chillingly relates the story of a lynching.
Not many people know that strange fruit, the controversial song about the shameful lynching of blacks in the united states, made famous by the late billie holiday, was, in fact, written by a jewish schoolteacher from the bronx named abel meeropol. An exploration of the history and legacy of strange fruit, the song first recorded by billie holliday in 1939. Jan 09, 2017 strange fruit documentary caps mlk weekend events west orange, nj mlk martin luther king day. A unique opportunity to join joel katz, producer, director, and editor of strange fruit, for a screening of this important documentary. These are the opening words to one of the worlds most famous protest songs. Strange fruit documentary caps mlk weekend events west orange, nj mlk martin luther king day. Named in 1999 the song of the millennium by time magazine, and bestknown from billie holidays haunting 1939 rendition, the song strange fruit is a harrowing portrayal of the lynching of a black man in the american south. Strange fruit is the first documentary exploring the history and legacy of the billie. The songs evolution tells a dramatic story of americas radical past using one of the most influential protest songs ever. San francisco, ca joel katz s mesmerizing strange fruit is an hourlong documentary essay exploring the history and legacy of a song unique in the annals of american music. Written by a jewish american from the bronx and famously recorded in 1939 by. Bestknown from billie holidays haunting 1939 rendition, the song strange fruit is a harrowing. The film focuses on the personal lives of the band members and those closest to. Strange fruit is a song about lynching and made famous by billie holiday as she sang it in the late 1930s.
Strange fruit 2003 joel katz on allmovie if half the battle of making a good documentary. In 1937, after seeing a photo depicting the lynching of a black man in the south, bronxborn high school teacher abel meeropol wrote a poem entitled strange. Strange fruit by joel katz to premiere nationally on itvss new series on pbs documentary on the unforgettable song made famous by billie holiday explores its unending impact and the fascinating life of its unsung composer strange fruit airs nationally on independent lens april 8, 2003 at 10. Strange fruit is the first documentary exploring the history and legacy of the billie holiday classic. Named in 1999 the song of the millennium by time magazine, and bestknown from billie holidays haunting 1939 rendition, the song strange fruit is a harrowing.
This history of the songs evolution tells a dramatic story of americas radical past using one of the most influential protest songs ever written as its epicenter. Won 2003 atlanta jewish film festival, audience winner, joel katz director won 2002 doubletake documentary film festival, jury award honorable mention, joel katz won 2003 organization of american historians, honorable mention, joel katz won 2002 usa film festival, nonfiction, joel katz. Strange fruit is a 1944 bestselling novel debut by american author lillian smith that deals with the thenforbidden and controversial theme of interracial romance. Disturbed by a photograph of a lynching, abel meeropol wrote the stark verse and brooding melody about the horror of lynching under the pseudonym lewis allan in 1938.
Sprung from the pen of a bronx schoolteacher, the hit continues to mesmerize musicians and civil rights advocates alike with its chilling vision of a lynching. Filmmaker joel katz discusses why he made strange fruit, how audiences have reacted to the film and how a song can change the world. It is the story of billie holiday and abel meeropol in their quest to shed light on racial injustice, especially lynching, in america. Strange fruit california newsreel film and video for.
Strange fruit documentary caps mlk weekend events west. The film radio stations banned it, but when billie holiday sang strange fruit the whole world listened anyway. Thats one of the many fascinating facts revealed in joel katz s illuminating look at one of the most controversial, disquieting and. Reviews the historical events, contexts and incidents of racial hatred that the songs title represents, and then the subsequent performances by billie holiday that brought the song and its message to a national audience.
While many people assume strange fruit was written by billie holiday, it actually began as a poem by a jewish schoolteacher and union activist from the bronx, who later set it to music. Strange fruit is a song about lynching and made famous by. Strange fruit documentary screening the university of. It is the story of billie holiday and abel meeropol in their quest to shed light. Still crazy is a 1998 british comedy film directed by brian gibson. The focus of the book is largely on billie holiday and her relationship to strange fruit. Disturbed by a photograph of a lynching, abel meeropol wrote the stark verse and brooding melody about the horror of lynching under the pseudonym lewis allan in. Katz will introduce the film and answer questions after the screening. A examination of the antilynching protest song made famous by billie holiday. Southern trees bear a strange fruit, begins the protest song made famous by billie holiday and recorded by artists as various as ella fitzgerald, pete seeger, tori amos, little jimmy scott. Thats one of the many fascinating facts revealed in joel katz s illuminating look at. Bestknown from billie holidays haunting 1939 rendition. With dorothy thigpen, milton gabler, farah jasmine griffin, c.
Strange fruit documentary caps mlk weekend events millburnshort hills, nj mlk martin luther king day. In his excellent documentary, also called strange fruit, filmmaker joel katz takes a fascinating look at the origins and impact of a ballad. Twenty years later, all of the band members are minding their own. The films director, joel katz, will be on hand to answer questions. He set the poem to music and a few years later convinced billy holiday to record it in a legendary heartbreaking. The rosenwald initiative will screen the 2002 documentary film strange fruit about the iconic protest song made famous by billie holiday at union baptist church, 1405 e. Such lynchings had reached a peak in the south at the turn of the century, but continued there and in other regions of the united states. Oct 21, 2014 music video by annie lennox performing strange fruit.
Pbs film traces roots of strange fruit the edwardsville. Naturally, this 60minute documentary includes film clips of billie holiday performing the title song in her only tv appearance, in 1958, as well as renditions by such activistartists as pete seeger, josh white, and cassandra wilson. An exploration of the history and legacy of strange fruit, the song first recorded by billie holliday in 1939 which has become an enduring anthem of american civil rights. Strange fruit, a polished, wellstructured documentary written and directed by joel katz, relates the intricate and intriguing history of the title. Oct 20, 2007 this film won 4th place at the 2006 national history day. Lou rawls and cassandra wilson, whose bluesy version closes the film. The songs evolution tells a dramatic story of americas radical past using one of the most influential protest songs ever written as its epicenter. With stephen rea, billy connolly, jimmy nail, timothy spall.
Strange fruit explores the history and legacy of a song unique in the annals of american music. Written by teacher abel meeropol as a poem and published in 1937, it protested american racism, particularly the lynching of african americans. Twenty years later, all of the band members are minding their own businesses, the idea of a band. Motion picture film stills or motion picture footage from films in momas film collection cannot be licensed by momascala. This video is a documentary about the antilynching song strange fruit recorded in 1939 by jazz singer billie holiday. Joel katz s mesmerizing strange fruit is a documentary essay exploring the history and legacy of a song unique in the annals of american music. Jan 08, 2003 in his excellent documentary, also called strange fruit, filmmaker joel katz takes a fascinating look at the origins and impact of a ballad thats been called one of ten songs that changed the. Music video by annie lennox performing strange fruit. While many people assume strange fruit was written by billie holiday, it actually began as a poem by a jewish. Documentarian joel katz traces the roots of the protest song popularized by billy holiday in 1939, strange fruit. This film won 4th place at the 2006 national history day. For screenings on 35mm film, please contact the producer, joel katz by. Joel katz as music and film seem to go hand in hand nowadays 8 mile, standing in the shadows of motown, here comes a documentary that gives history to the root of the song.
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