"NEW DISNEY STAR ANIKA ROSE TO HOST AFROPOP PUBLIC TELEVISION SERIES"

Tony Award winning actress Anika Noni Rose, who recently made history by being cast as the first ever African-American princess in Disney's The Princess and the Frog (Dreamgirls and HBO's The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency), has signed on to host the new season of AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. An innovative documentary film series on contemporary life, art, and pop culture in the African Diaspora.

As the series host, Rose will introduce audiences to poerful stories about African boxers who journey acrss the Atlantic to match their skills against the best in global contests; a teenage girl who travels to Ghana and a Sierre Leonian ex-patriate who returns to his homeland, each hoping to dispel prevailing myths about the two continents; Hurricane Katrina victims who find themselves refugees in their own country.

SUMMARY REVIEWS OF SOME FILMS:

"THE FIGHTING SPIRIT"

Directed by: George Amponsah

Running time: 85 minutes

Country/Language: USA & UK/Engllish

The filming locations is based in Ghana (the poor fishing village of Bukom) where a relatively female newcomer to boxing Yarkor "Chavez", who is fueled by her hate for men because of a cheating ex-boyfriend shows she has talent. She is known as "the first lady of boxing" in Bukom and shows potential, however she loses her first fight but refuses to give up in this brutal sport. The next profile is of George, a twenty two year old who gets a chance to box a British champion. This is the spotlight type of match that takes him out of Ghana and gives him a chance to see London. Unfortunately, he loses his fight, but gains the insight of the outside world.

The main theme of their lifestyles is fighting and fishing. Disputes are settled physically and strength is the centerpoint of their heritage. Brutality is the means of survival.

Filmmaker Amonsah captures a look at Ghana through the eyes of those fighting for their dreams.



"DESERT BAYOU"

Directed by: Alex LeMay

Running time: 71 minutes

Country/Language: USA/English

The poignant film examines devastating things about Hurricane Katrina. It raises questions of race, poverty, politics and religion.

Footage of the catastrophy is shown in detail with interviews of victims. Questions and answers concerning the care of the survivors. How they were taken to a place with warmth, dry buildings, clothes, food, medial care, telephones, opportunities for life changing education and jobs. Some people spoke of how nearby states and many major cities assisted.

The message in this film is hope.



"MOVING TO THE BEAT"

Directed by: Caleb Heymann & Abdul Fofanah

Running time: 47 minutes

Country/Language: USA/English

Escapees from civil war in Africa, young people speak of the turmoil they endured. Hip Hop music and culture is their linkage of Freetown, Sierra Leone and Portland, Oregon in which this documentary follows the Rebel Soulz group's journey to freedom.

The old cliche' that music soothes the savage beast holds true. The result in the film is a deeply forged connection that transcends centuries of misunderstanding and separation, and becomes an inspirational call for people worldwide to transcend boundaries.



"BLACK TO OUR ROOTS"

Directed by: Tre Whitlow

Running time: 53 minutes

Country/Language: USA/English

Discovery of one's beginnings is most important to everyone. However, this film looks at how the Habesha Program gives a tutorial of the African culture to African American teenagers. It is an inspirational story of a group of teenagers' journey from the inner city of Atlanta to Ghana in search of their ancestral home.

Various teenagers are focused on spotlighting a range of emotions the teens experience as they expand their horizons. As a prerequisite, the teens from Washington D.C., South Carolina and Georgia do fundraising for their trip from America to West Africa which instills a source of responsibility in their personal structure.

This coming of age observational film highlights the courage and determination of these underestimated teenagers as they work to raise money to fund their travels, grapple in focus sessions with issues of African American/African history, and leave their familiar surroundings.

Change is a good thing for these kids.

For more information on the series go to [url=http://www.AfroPop.tv/]www.AfroPop.tv