History assignment morphs into probing documentary 'Brilliance or buffoonery?'

-- 17-year-old director to debut film at NY Int'l Film & Video Festival --

Clarence Williams IV

Maplewood, NJ (BlackNews.com) -- Seventeen-year-old Clarence Williams IV, of Maplewood, NJ, is excited his 50-minute documentary, "Brilliance or Buffoonery?" will debut July 28 at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIFF). The screening will be at the Village East Cinemas, located at 181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street, on Screen 3 at 6:10 p.m.

"Brilliance or Buffoonery?" written and directed by Williams, is an absorbing analysis of African-American sitcoms "Amos N' Andy" and "Kenan & Kel." The history of both shows is examined in depth before being thoughtfully compared and contrasted. Though objective, Williams questions the ethics of both shows and asks viewers to decide whether or not "Amos N' Andy" and "Kenan & Kel" were simply brilliant situation comedies or shows that portrayed the negative and stereotypical images that African-Americans had long tried to abolish from television.

Williams, with the blessing of his teacher, made the film for his 20th Century World Honors History class at the Morristown Beard School in Morristown, N.J. The film was shot in three days in mid-March 2010 and edited over the course of a weekend by Williams. He interviewed six people, who all had insightful comments on the two shows. The older cast commented on "Amos N' Andy," while the younger cast commented on "Kenan and Kel."

Media marketing executive Lenore Washington-Graham, of Plainfield, N.J., narrates the film. The cast includes Malcolm Pulliam, a young actor who has played leading roles in Williams' previous dramatic films.

Williams is a passionate, award-winning writer/director whose films include "Johnny Wong," which debuted at the Garden State Film Festival in April 2009. Four months later his film, "The Miscreant," was showcased at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. In addition, his film, "The Dinner Date," is available on iTtunes as a part of The Romeo Theater. "I've made films in almost every genre, except musicals, but I'm mostly into dramatic pieces," says Williams.

In this film, Williams comments on the style, writing, critical reception, fan base, and character depictions of both comedic shows before comparing them. Williams finds similarities in plot lines, character behavior and the fact that both shows were mostly written by whites that only perceived a sense of black life. "Brilliance or Buffoonery?" is definitely an "audience-oriented film." "I'm giving everyone the facts and my audience is the jury," says Williams. "The cast, or my interviewees, are my witnesses. So you can listen to them and maybe some of their thoughts can influence you in a negative or positive way. Either way, they're going to get you thinking," continued Williams.

With the acclaim and controversies presented about both shows, ultimately, it is up to the audience to decide whether or not the two sitcoms were brilliant or buffoonish.

T-shirts, pens, and DVDs are also available to purchase. Contact the young filmmaker at clarencewilliams@comcast.net. Advance tickets are $12 and can be purchased by clicking the green tickets icon (On Sale) next to the "Brilliance or Buffoonery?" on the NYFF film schedule at www.nyfilmvideo.info.