09/19/2023
Yesterday, 18 September in Washington DC, NPAFE was invited by Nyomi Ramjohn and Me’Kayla Rothmiller, two rising Howard University fine arts students, to see Misty Copeland’s “Flower”, the new film short that brings home a strong message about social injustice and homelessness.
Funded by the Ford Foundation and others, “Flower” was produced by and stars the world-famous American Ballet Theater principal Copeland who was there in person at Howard with the film’s director and lifelong friend Lauren Finerman for what was one of the first public showings of a film masterwork.
Co-starring Babatunji Johnson and Christina Johnson, “Flower” is described by IMDb as “…follow[ing] a story through dance to highlight ‘intergenerational equity’ and bring attention to the housing crisis in the San Francisco Bay area.”
Goodness gracious! Talk about understatement! “Flower” is a work of true cinematic art. It marries music, movement, motive and brilliant skill at videography and post-production genius, all to convey a powerful message with the power to move people from complacency to action, from unending talk talk talk about what’s wrong and actually unite people to put pressure on local, state and national legislators to change lives for the better. The lives of young people. The lives of our elders. The lives of the homeless. The lives of those who may not look like us but who are just like us. Just like us.
Look closely at these images of Nyomi and Me’Kayla. Look closely at the Howard student audience there to see this bit of cinematic wonderment. Look at that shot of Misty Copeland, there not as preeminent dance artist and instead as thought leader. Then, especially if you can find a way to see “Flower”, you’ll understand when, how and why Copeland is truly in her element and where she likely most wants to be.
