'Black List' at the Black House

Surrounded by posters of author Toni Morrison, activist Al Sharpton, media executive Richard Parsons and comedian Chris Rock at the Black House (motto: Where black film lives) on Main St. in Park City, you realize that the film "The Black List: Volume One" -- specifically the task of actually interviewing many of the country's prominent African-Americans -- must have been a time-consuming and daunting task.

But that's just what the interviewer, journalist and former NY Times critic Elvis Mitchell, and director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, set out to accomplish. The passion of choreographer Bill T. Jones, the understated strength of Vernon Jordan, and the tenacity of Dawn Staley were all presented, along with many others, in small one-on-one vignettes shot to look like portrait photographs. It's one of the first movies I've seen here that drew responses during the film and a pretty good applause afterwards.

The film, along with other black films being shown at Sundance, were celebrated at the Black House. These included "The Len Bias Story," "Dirty Laundry," "A good day to be black & sexy," all represented by filmmakers and friends at the venue's opening mixer. Talent agents mingled with filmmakers and sponsors and actors and people just looking to connect amid free drinks and snacks.

Layla Mashava, a producer on "Black & sexy," which is screening in the American Spectrum section, came to promote her film and to see other black people.

"When you're walking in the snow, you only see us in sprinkles." (Video of our quick conversation will follow soon.)

And a note for those who see the film this week: The Black House event was filled with photos of folks, like mogul Russell Simmons, who was not in version one of the film (at least the version that I saw).  So don't be surprised to see a "Black List: Vol. Two," sooner or later.

-- Jevon Phillips