Tadias Magazine

Above: An evening with Danny Glover and Haile Gerima was held at Dwyer Cultural Center on April 1, 2010 to mark TEZA's New York debut. (Photo by Kidane Mariam for Tadias.com)

Tadias Magazine
Events News
Photos by Kidane Mariam

Published: Friday, April 2, 2010

New York (Tadias) – “Lethal Weapon” actor Danny Glover hosted a reception on Thursday, April 1, 2010, celebrating the New York premiere of Teza.

The gathering at the Dwyer Cultural Center, which also featured the director Haile Gerima, is the first in a series of events designed to promote the film’s release.

Teza uses the power of memory and flashbacks to recount the historical circumstances that have framed the context in which contemporary Ethiopia exists.

The critically acclaimed film opened in Manhattan on Friday, April 2, at Lincoln Plaza Cinema.

The reception was sponsored by Sheba Tej, Tsion Enterprises LLC, Africalling.com and Settepani.

Tadias Magazine’s contributing photographer Kidane Mariam attended the event. Here is a slideshow of photos.

Slideshow: An Evening with Danny Glover and Haile Gerima
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More Local Events Surrounding TEZA’s NYC Premiere:

Friday, April 2, 2010
Teza starts playing at Lincoln Plaza Cinemas
Showtimes: 11:05 AM, 1:35 PM, 4:15 PM, 7:05 PM, and 9:55 PM
Buy tickets online at: www.lincolnplazacinema.com

Friday, April 2, 2010
Opening Night Mix and Mingle
At Settepani
196 Lenox Avenue (at 120th Street)
’till 2 am | Friday 4/2/10

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Q&A: Haile Gerima Discusses the Challenges of Independent Film-Making.
Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI)
408 West 58th Street (on 9th Avenue)
Moderator: Tigist Selam
6:30pm – 8:30pm | Wednesday 4/7/10
www.cccadi.org
RSVP – slewis@cccadi.org or call 212.307.7420 ext. 3008 for more info.

Thursday, April 8, 2010
Reception
Skoto Gallery
529 West 20th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenue)
6:30pm – 8:30pm | Thursday 4/8/10
www.skotogallery.com
Sponsors: Bati Restaurant; Sheba Tej/Tsion Enterprises LLC; Settepani

Friday, April 9, 2010
Panel Discussion: Making Teza: Narrative, Cinematography, and Music
Schomburg Library
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
Moderator: Dagmawi Woubshet | Panelists: Haile Gerima, Yemane Demissie, Danny Mekonnen
7:00pm – 9:00pm | Friday 4/9/10
www.nypl.org
RSVP@tezathemovie.com
Sponsors: In memory of Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin; Queen of Sheba Restaurant; Assegid Gessesse; abesha.com; TsehaiNY; Africalling.com

Saturday, April 10, 2010
Panel Discussion: Owning Cultural Property — Telling Our Own Stories
Dwyer Cultural Center
258 Saint Nicholas Avenue (at 123rd Street)
Moderator: Dagmawi Woubshet | Panelists: Haile Gerima, Chester Higgins, Skoto Aghahowa
7:30pm – 9:30pm | Saturday 4/10/10
www.dwyercc.org
RSVP to info@dwyercc.org or call 212-222-3060

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Q&A: Haile Gerima Discusses Cultural Contexts of Teza
Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI)
408 West 58th Street (on 9th Avenue)
Moderator: Kassahun Checole
6:30pm – 8:30pm | Wednesday 4/14/10
www.cccadi.org
RSVP – slewis@cccadi.org or call 212.307.7420 ext. 3008 for more info.

Video: Watch the Trailer

Related:
Lacking Shelter at Home and Abroad (NYT Movie Review)
A Conversation with Haile Gerima (Tadias Magazine)
For Filmmaker, Ethiopia’s Struggle Is His Own (The New York Times)
Teza, Portrait of an Ethiopian Exile (The Village Voice)

The movie focuses on the tumultuous years of the Mengistu era, as told by an idealistic Ethiopian doctor who recounts dreams and nightmares.

Teza follows the personal narrative of Anberber, who after leaving Ethiopia for Germany to become a doctor, is led to return to his home village by lingering spirits and haunting visions from his childhood. Using the power of memory as its primary device, Gerima recounts the historical circumstances that have framed the context in which contemporary Ethiopia exists.

The film has already earned some prestigious awards including the Oscella Award for Best Screenplay, the Leoncino d’oro Award, SIGNIS Award, and Special Jury Prize conferred at the 2009 Venice Film Festival; the Golden Unicorn Award for Best Feature Film; the UN-World Bank Special Prize; and Golden Stallion award for Best Picture presented at the 2009 FESPACO Pan-African Film Festival.