Thug Life Army

"Quilombo Country," the award-winning documentary about Brazilian villages founded by escaped and rebel slaves, will have its premiere theatrical run at the Two Boots Pioneer Theater from Friday, September 19th to Thursday, September 25th every evening at 7 pm.

The film is narrated by Chuck D, the legendary poet, media commentator and leader of the iconic hip hop band Public Enemy.

The Pioneer Theater is located in the heart of New York City's East Village at 155 East 3rd Street near Avenue A. The film's creator, writer-director Leonard Abrams, will take questions after the Friday and Saturday screenings. Seating is limited -- online purchase, especially for the Friday and Saturday shows, is highly recommended. Go to http://www.twoboots.com/pioneer . Student discounts apply.

Brazil, once the world's largest slave colony, was brutal and deadly for millions of Africans. But many thousands escaped and rebelled, creating settlements they called quilombos in Brazil's untamed hinterland. Largely unknown to the outside world, these communities struggle today to preserve a rich heritage born of resistance to oppression.

"Quilombo Country" explores Afrobrazilian village life among the forests and rivers of northern Brazil, with rare footage of festivals and ceremonies that blend Catholic, African and native Amazonian rituals and customs, including the use of dance, drumming, tobacco and other sacred plants to facilitate the communication between the spiritual and material worlds. "Quilombo Country" is alive with first-person accounts of racial conflict, cultural ferment, political identity, and the struggle for land and human rights.

"Wonderfully rich...Abrams's grainy, intimate portrait of the difficult everyday life of contemporary quilombo residents

refuses romanticization."

– Black Camera

"Persuasive, complex, and timely."

– Southern Quarterly

"Outstanding footage of festivals, parties and religious ceremonies."

– In These Times

"Winner, Best Documentary, 2007"

– Black International Cinema Berlin festival

Visit "Quilombo Country" Website: http://www.quilombocountry.com

“QUILOMBO COUNTRY,” New Documentary about Black Rebel Villages of Brazil, Premieres at the Pioneer Theater in NYC, September 19-25, 2008.

Narrated by Hip Hop Legend Chuck D, lead man for Hip Hop Group Public Enemy,

WHAT:        Debut run of “Quilombo Country”

WHEN:        Fri, Sept 19 – Thurs, Sept 25, 2008. Most shows at 7 pm.

WHERE:       Pioneer Theater, Ave. A & 3rd Street, NYC

PLUS:         Q&A with director Leonard Abrams after Fri & Sat shows.