Why We Laugh - Black Comedians On Black Comedy (Out Now on DVD)

On Tuesday April 20, 2010 at 7pm, Reelblack, Phillys #1 promoter of African-American Film will host the Philadelphia Theatrical Premiere of Robert Townsend and Quincy Newells 2009 Sundance hit, WHY WE LAUGH: BLACK COMEDIANS ON COMEDY.

Screening will take place at International House, 3701 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, PA 19104. Visit www.reelblack.com for details and ticket info.

*****

Timely, insightful, and downright funny, Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy is a sweeping account of the evolution of black comedy in America. Inspired by comedian Darryl Littletons book, director Robert Townsend crafted a no-holds-barred documentary that is both an insiders take and a critical examination of the cultural influence of black comedy. Townsend and Newell enrich this hilarious and spectacularly archived film by including interviews with prominent scholars, politicians, cultural critics, and a host of notable comics, including Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Eddie Griffin.

Why We Laugh tracks the way black comedy has evolved from Stepin Fetchit and minstrels in blackface to the politically tinged humor of Dick Gregory, and from the television success of Good Times and The Jeffersons to the big-screen accomplishments of stars like Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg. Townsend turns a perceptive eye on the controversial career of Dave Chapelle and the implications of corporate efforts to capitalize on the massive successes of Russell Simmonss Def Comedy Jam and Spike Lees The Original Kings of Comedy. A major historical contribution to American culture and a hoot to watch. Why We Laugh is a tribute to the way individuals can change history, as well as a cautionary tale about how tenuous that change can be. Official Selection 2009 Sundance and Roxbury Film Festivals.

• Category

  Entertainment

[differentandalike]

This is so true. I got to see this movie.

I saw in the comment - where is tyler perry.

The comedians in the film have people laugh with them

whereas tyler perry have people laugh at black people.

Reinforcing stereotypes.

[odell buckman]

in the closet

[kutkinderen]

Where is tyler perry >?

[lilHippo]

they dont got paul mooney on that?

[PrinceAAAA]

Just watched this.... good watch although it does get tedious at times.... still highly reccomended :)

[AlphaShark Mobsound]

Check me out they hot but im flaming...lol check me out white pepole..lol..lol

[BillionGODSun]

Richard Pryor 

[ZikiChicken]

wow, I'd really like to see that

[matrat57]

this looks great! but why is there only a thousand views and only 4 comments including mine (and I'm a white men living outside of U.S)? That's just weird...