The world can be a cruel place and growing up as a black man or woman is exponentially harder. Not everyone is Greek, and not everyone wants to be Greek. Its symbol is a lion. Instead of highlighting the important reasons people join sororities and fraternities forfamily lineage, support system, seeking personal and professional growthit created a narrative that was negative. But questions remain about the world: Who created the monstrosities that roam the lands? Despite the advice, the young neophyte fraternity brothers wait together at the hospital awaiting the fate of their friend, Frank. "Netflix Expands Global Indie Strategy With Slate Of New Features", "Common Joins Sundance Pic 'Burning Sands' As EP, Will Contribute Original Song", "Sundance 2017: Robert Redford, New Rashida Jones Netflix Series, 'Rebel In The Rye' & More On Premiere, Docu, Midnight & Kids Slates", "Netflix Announces Slate of Original Films, Documentaries and Series at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Burning_Sands_(2017_film)&oldid=1128965190, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 22 December 2022, at 22:58. The city was ordered evacuated on May 3. No matter what it is, its not worth a persons life. Do not be fearful to speak out against foul behavior during a pledge process. But she was very supportive of me as a first-time director. The pledge process for me is going to be different for the next person, but we share that commonality that we were willing to sacrifice for our place in the organization. Burning Sands is the new Netflix movie that focuses on the story of 5 young black men trying to become members of Lamba Phi, one of the top fraternities at their HBCU. It currently holds an 87% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. It sent the message that when you join Greek Letter Organizations you fail in your classes, which is also not true. They are: The first kingdom players start their conquest in the Great Empire. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. "Burning Sands," Gerald McMurray's feature filmmaking debut, is one of the fresher entries, thanks mainly to its setting: a historically black fraternity on a historically black campus like Howard, the university where the co-writer and director got his degree. Academia and growth were only [tangentially referenced] in Burning Sands, while there was an emphasis on social life. So much of black Greek life and mystique are based on secrecy and discretion. It is also equally irresponsible for members of BGLOs to dismiss this movie as pure fiction when it is not. Sports team initiations in the UK are well publicised and examples of hazing exist in most countries. Hank Nuwers new book Destroying Young Lives: Hazing in Schools and the Militaryis availablenow. At Alfred University, after a studentwas beaten and after a pledge died of alcohol poisoning, they banned the entire Greek system, but they still have hazing in the football team and a guy nearly died following the ban. Thedirector, in making of the film, wanted to start a conversation about a call to action to stop hazing. All of us had at least a passing interest in Burning Sands, a film that turns the pledge process into a stressful . Keryce Chelsi Henry, Johns Hopkins University '14, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Browse 678 burning sands stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. We hold this with pride and this is why; when someone misrepresents us, we react so strongly. It showcased the mentorship that exists within all of our organizations. After seconds of waiting the doctor tells them that Frank died of a ruptured aorta artery. However, creating a film like this puts the director between a rock and a hard place, because while he is addressing very real issues of hazing and people seeking membership in BGLOs for superficial reasons, to truly address every aspect of the situation would require him to reveal confidential details of the process of pursuing membership in these organizations. All rights reserved. It's a tragic situation, and Burning Sands, coincidentally, features a plotline that's similar to Wade's case. We reached out to 12 men and women who are members of the Divine Nine (the nickname for the nine Black Greek Letter Organizations)and asked them to share their reactions to the film. During the movie, two Frederick Douglass quotes are repeated: "It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men," and, "If there is . (as Isiah Donte Lee) Film Editing by Evan Schrodek Casting By Kim Coleman Production Design by Erik Louis Robert Art Direction by Allison Lopes Set Decoration by Juli Kunke What is the Spanish language plot outline for Burning Sands (2017)? The pledges in the film were hazed, appeared to have been taught nothing during their process, and seemed to have shallow reasons for wanting to join in the first place. That topic is of similar concern to the latest original feature from Netflix, Burning Sands, albeit in a manner thats as unexpected as it is intriguing. Generations have benefited from the Divine Nines leadership, scholarship and charity. He said that the film was inspired by the death of a student and that he wants to use it to start a conversation about a call to action to stop hazing. I also thought it was powerful to show the pledges reaching out to members of the organizations who were in different stages of post-undergraduate life. Woodard, an Emmy Award winner whose credits include Captain America: Civil War and Desperate Housewives, brought a level of gravitas toBurning Sands,McMurray and Jackson said. While others may deem it as a negative, I actually liked the way the film ended. I leaned a lot not just through our communication but also just watching her and Steve (Harris) do what they do, he said. Also, alumni should be the adults and not partake in compromising activities with young adults. Are we truly uplifting one another even in the molding process for those trying to pledge? When the pledges were talking about their reasoning for wanting to join the fraternity. Meanwhile, Jackson said Woodard helped him grow as an actor. Legend of the Burning Sands. Burning Sandsdirectorsaid that the film was influenced by the death of Robert Champion and wants to use it to start a conversation about a call to action to stop hazing. The dark tone of the film is not surprising. I was embarrassed because, as a proud member of a BGLO, movies like this erase any respectful thoughts my wife had of my fraternity experience. 100 Best Free Movies on YouTube (March 2023), 100 Best Movies Written by Women of All Time. 7 min read. From its opening sequence, in which Frank suffers the repercussions of protecting Zurich from mistreatment, Burning Sands pulls no punches in its depiction of the horrors that would-be frat boys willingly tolerate to join their coveted Greek ranks. See production, box office & company info, It's alright, I guess, but I just couldn't connect to it. Get this thrilling post-apocalyptic series and see what lies Across Burning Sands. So, whatever they throw at me while pledging will only make me better and prepare me for the real world. 3/6/2019 in General. The film is being directed by Gerard McMurray. Armando Villa (2014): Died after being forced to hike barefooted through the Angeles Mountains These organizations were and still are at the forefront of many movements, including the civil rights movement. Of course, there was a physical element that Id never experienced before, but it was the mental challenges that made pledging hard. The story is told through the eyes of a black fraternity pledge. Patrick Jackson, Morehouse College '11, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. There are four permanent unlockable kingdoms in Goodgame Empire. I couldnt help but think about the Jay Z song Get Your Mind Right Mami, in which he exclaims, Its a secret society, all we ask is trust. But BGLOs are anti-hazing organizations, so what is depicted in the film is far from being the norm of the process of becoming a member. It showed the large professional network and the dynamic of those relationships but I still wish some of that was reflected in some of the guys on campus. Directed by Gerard McMurray Writing Credits (in alphabetical order) Cast (in credits order) Produced by Music by Kevin Lax Cinematography by Isiah Dont Lee . Given that Burning Sands takes place at Frederick Douglass University, its apt that Douglasss prose is a constant presence, be it in dialogue between Zurich and Hughes, or in Zurichs own narration. We see one sorority member, admirably depicted as being intelligent and strong-willed, but we dont get a sense of her connection to her sorority sisters. LBS Sealed & Full Sets. In order to be a part of BGLO, there are academic requirements that must be met, meaning while there is a possibility your grades could slip during the pledging phase, there is still a large portion of your focus that must remain dedicated to your education. The film particularly focuses on Zurich Codell (Trevor Jackson) whose only focus is . The fabric of our society is built on the premise of no easy roads to success, of paying your dues to get where others already are. Villa had been attempting to gain entry into the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at California State University when he was coerced into taking part in the hazing practice. V3.1. And I think were tired of seeing ourselves depicted as slaves or abusive on screen. big brothers beating Frank until he 02:15 falls to the ground and starts foaming 02:17 at the mouth you know Frank the action 02:20 ceases as everyone realizes that Frank 02:23 needs. My biggest worry was that the film would include special and sacred elements of a pledging process that aren't to be shared with the public. To view the request, visit the Prospector Saloon in . And this is true, because now you have a chapter and committees to run. Stage Information Misc. For current members, it is time to reinvent your process and become smarter. Moreover, in the escalating nastiness that Zurich and his friends are forced to endureleading to broken ribs for Zurich, and doubts about whether undergoing such an ordeal makes senseit continually raises the thorny issue of whether all this hazing is an example of African-Americans embracing the strategies of their former slave-era oppressors (and their white college counterparts) for similar supremacy-asserting reasons. [1] In January 2017, Common boarded the film as an executive producer and will contribute an original song to the film. You can make a man (or woman) work hard for something and allow them to keep their dignity. No. Anything else?A lot of Greeks are upset about the movie being made, but I applaud the director. How do you feel about the way in which BGLOs and the HBCU experience were portrayed in this movie? But again, I think theres a way to start that conversation and create a film that shows why BGLOs are great and not the bad stereotypes. It didn't shed enough light on the positive aspects. Not only is hazing illegal, but the practice has claimed the lives of far too many young men and women across college campuses all over America, including historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Pledging a fraternity or sorority is not the same as hazing. Customer SatisfactionCustomer SupportHigh End ProductsSecured Transactions. Worth a persons life man or woman is exponentially harder much of black Greek life and mystique based. Referenced ] in Burning Sands, while there was a physical element that Id never experienced before but. First kingdom players start their conquest in the Great Empire the eyes of a black man or woman ) hard. The fate of their friend, Frank their conquest in the molding process for those trying pledge! 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