Harry Belafonte Documentary to Premier on HBO

August 4, 2011

“Sing Your Song,” the documentary film about Harry Belafonte, the legendary artist and rights activist, will premier October 6 at New York’s world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. It will have its national television premier on HBO on October 17 at 10 pm EST. 1199SEIU and the 1199SEIU Bread and Roses Cultural Project are among the producers of the film. Belafonte recently assumed leadership of Bread And Roses.

1199SEIU’s Executive Council and organizing staff saw a preview of the film on September 30 prior to the regularly-scheduled Executive Council meeting. After the screening, Belafonte answered questions and spoke about his vision for Bread And Roses and its role in the fight for labor, civil and human rights.

The documentary, which has drawn critical acclaim at film festivals and gatherings around the world, is an intimate portrait of Belafonte and his extraordinary role in the countless post-World War II progressive movements.

“His remarkable career has included many prestigious awards and industry firsts, said 1199 President George Gresham". For example, his album, “Calypso,” was the first in the U.S. to sell a million copies. He broke down barriers on Broadway, in Hollywood and on nationwide TV.

“During the course of an inspiring life that has paralleled the American civil rights movement, artist and crusader Harry Belafonte has tirelessly used his humanitarian influence to advance the causes of social justice,” Gresham said.

“Sing Your Song” documents Belafonte’s relationship to virtually all the progressive struggles since the second half of the last century. Among the luminaries featured in the film are the late artist-activist Paul Robeson, former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, South African liberation leader Nelson Mandela, African American labor pioneer A. Phillip Randolph, and John and Robert Kennedy.

But no leader played as central a role in Belafonte’s life as the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They were in constant touch and worked closely from their first meeting until Dr. King’s death. Belafonte also identified with the anti-colonial movements on the African continent. And he remains a UNICEF ambassador to this day.

The film describes how it Belafonte leveraged his pioneering role as a singer, actor and producer to help build the civil rights and peace movements. He often served as a bridge between the entertainment and progressive communities.

During the discussion after the screening, Belafonte talked about his joy of returning to 1199SEIU. He has performed at 1199 events and worked with the Union throughout his career. “I have come full circle,” he said. “American and the world are at a critical crossroad. We can use the power of art and culture to move our country forward.”