Presented by the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Black Harvest festival showcases films and videos by black artists from around the world, with screenings continuing through Thursday, September 2. Following are reviews of selected films screening from Friday, August 13, through Thursday, August 19; for more information and a complete schedule see siskelfilmcenter.org.
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Everyday Black Man After being denied a bank loan, a middle-aged grocer and lapsed Christian (Henry Brown) overcomes his misgivings and accepts a new business partner, a young black Muslim (Omari Hardwick) whose confidence and drive make a strong impression. With that premise—and the natural performances of the actors—this contemporary drama set in Oakland is off to a good start, suggesting a number of provocative themes, including how communities grapple with change as older generations recede. But then director-writer Carmen Madden switches gears into urban-thriller territory with a retread of familiar drug war stories, and the film devolves into a lockstep exercise of transforming the hero from a low-key nice guy into vigilante. With Tessa Thompson. 108 min. —Andrea Gronvall Mon 8/16, 8:15 PM, and Wed 8/18, 6 PM
