Here I Stand

D.W. Dillon

Las Vegas, NV

"Here I Stand"

Directed by Bill Duke

Written by Christopher Hampton

Based on the Autobiography by Paul Robeson

Music by Harry Connick Jr. & Branford Marsalis

Principal Cast:

Laurence Fishbourne - Paul Robeson

Regina King - Eslanda Robeson

John Turturro - Itzik Feffer

Diane Ladd - "Red" Emma Goldman

George Clooney - CIA Agent Bellows

and

Eddie Murphy as W.E.B. DuBois

Tagline: "Hear his pleas, hear him sing. Stand beside the voice of equality."

Synopsis:

Follow the extraordinary life of a man without compromise. During a time when change was forbidden. Before Malcolm X, before Martin Luther King, before Medger Evers, there was Paul Robeson (Fishbourne). The highly intelligent African-American Rutgers graduate, football star, writer, singer, actor, and civil rights activist who sought to inspire those around him by every way he knew how. Traveling to Russia to meet fellow entertainer/activist Itzik Feffer (Turturro) who shows him the greatness of leadership through charisma with culture. Russian anarchist "Red" Emma Goldman (Ladd) brought out the fire and rebellion in his eyes and spoke out against the growing fascist movement. W.E.B. Dubois (Murphy), a writer way ahead of his time, gave him his motivation. But with a voice so pure and words so grand, comes greater consequence. His mysterious suicide attempt in his later years becomes the subject of debate when Robeson is thought to be drugged and subjected to electro-shock therapy by the CIA (Clooney) in hopes to discredit and silence a man with a voice of freedom. He was a man, black-listed at home and then banned from leaving it. An open-minded man who's reputation tarnished by the government for sympathizing with different people and different cultures. A broken shell of a man he had become, though he still would not let censorship, segregation or attempts on his life shut him out. With the support of his wife Eslanda (King) through the monumental times and through the scary times, he forged ahead, becoming the template for equality and the civil rights movement.

What The Press Will Say:

Not often does a film come along that tugs at the heart and mind of it viewers. "Here I Stand" strikes a forceful blow into our deepest sentiments that touches base on equality towards all men and women. Director Bill Duke (Deep Cover) tells the story of Paul Robeson, played by an inspired Laurence Fishbourne, who's performance is both subtle and fierce. His oration of Langston Hughes's poem "Freedom Train" in the final moments of the film brings sincere empathy. Fishbourne's deep-voiced Robeson is a gentle giant of a man who's selfless agenda to change the world and fight for not just the rights for the black community, but for the rights of everyone around the world held down by their society. Fishbourne's stage performances of the classic songs made famous by Robeson such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Danny Boy are both chilling and beautiful. Fishbourne plays a man almost burned at the stake during haste times of segregation and war. This isn't a film to showcase great minds in dark places, but to show the growth of a man on a mission who surrounds himself with geniuses a-like, to open his mind and secure his thoughts. Eddie Murphy and John Turturro give performances of two of the most brilliant men of the time, influential writer/activist W.E.B Dubois (Murphy) and eccentric Russian actor Itzek Feffer (Turturro) who help shape Robeson's beliefs. From the witty and gentleman-like banter Murphy and Fishbourne display while discussing politics to Turturoo's passionate idea to inspire people through entertainment, teaching Robeson the ways of acting which he takes with him on the set of the film, "The Emperor Jones". Out of the blue comes Diane Ladd's "Red" Emma Goldman. Ladd portraying the infamous anarchist/activist with frightening intensity and wit as she leads Fishbourne's Robeson into the heart of a heated and violent anti-fascist movement. Christopher Hampton constructs a script far superior and more in depth than his own Malcolm X. A concise script with a message by an unbelievable man. With supporting characters that effect his life. Not only does "Here I Stand" succeed with the rise of Paul Robeson, but also with his mysterious downfall and almost tragic ending, that only proves how true his words and beliefs really were. Ride the 'Freedom Train' to "Here I Stand" and experience the Best Picture of the year.

FYC:

Best Picture

Best Director - Bill Duke

Best Actor - Laurence Fishbourne

Best Actress - Regina King

Best Supporting Actor - Eddie Murphy

Best Supporting Actor - John Turturro

Best Supporting Actress - Diane Ladd

Best Adapted Screenplay - Christopher Hampton

Best Score - Harry Connick Jr. & Branford Marsalis

Best Cinematography - Frank Tidy

Best Editing - Barry Brown