NHK Picks Up Open Door Documentary

TORONTO: Japan’s NHK has acquired the HD documentary Black Nation from Open Door, to air in January as part of its programming to mark the anniversary of U.S. president Barrack Obama’s first term in office.

The documentary examines the state of black manhood in America, as exemplified through the streets of Detroit, past and present, and the city’s controversial church The Shrine of the Black Madonna. Swedish filmmaker Mats Hjelm explores the racial, cultural and political ramifications of an ongoing "black male genocide."

Executive producer Tom Powers commented: “We are extremely pleased and honored that NHK has acquired our film. It validates a lot of very hard and passionate work by a great team. Despite the election, and in the context of an economic meltdown, it’s become increasingly important to point out that African American men continue to face immense challenges. It is not enough to say, ‘Yes we can.’ We hope the film will open this debate again and show that there is a way forward.”