Dawn Flores

'BLACK EXCELLENCE' IS A TERM THAT IS SYNONYMOUS WITH CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN AND MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT.  IN SUCH A LIFE OF PROGRESS, THE STRUGGLE OF BLACK PEOPLE IS OFTEN MARRED BY THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE, AND ULTIMATELY DEATH.  THIS NEVER-ENDING CYCLE IS DISTILLED THROUGH THE CONTEXT OF FUNERAL OF A NATION, A MUSICAL ESSAY COMPRISED OF ORIGINAL SONGS AND ARCHIVAL VIDEOS PRODUCED BY GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING SONGWRITER AND FOUNDER OF HARDCOVER RECORDS, HAROLD LILLY AND FILMMAKER KEITH NIXON JR.

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IN AN EFFORT TO GIVE PERSPECTIVE INTO THE BLACK EXPERIENCE, THE PREMISE OF THE SHORT FILM IS TO ENGAGE THE VIEWER IN A CONVERSATION REGARDING RACE RELATIONS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.  THE INTENT IS TO HUMANIZE, EMPATHIZE AND SYMPATHIZE.  THIS IS BUT AN EXERCISE IN CULTURAL STUDY, A CULTURE THAT HAS DEFINED THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE.