THE ARRAY 360 EXPERIENCE REVIEW

To be the first in something within the Hollywood regime is not difficult- that is, as long as you don’t fail.

The film industry is an experimental business made up of creative minds waiting to craft a perfect story for the audience’s delight. Filmmakers that create such stories and take risks are considered historic and legends in the art of storytelling.

It is filmmakers amongst the group of both longtime and uprising artists such as John Singleton, Barbara Loden, Euzhan Palcy, Suzana Amaral, Shirin Neshat, Kathleen Collins,  Garrett Bradley, Mati Diop and Agnès Varda whose work will forever remain in the history of cinema, thanks to the wonderful people behind organizations like Array who continue to showcase their works in what has been their inaugural fall film series.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, their work will be on display through Saturday, November 2.

With many other screenings planned for the future.

Oscar- and Emmy-nominated film director Ava Duvernay, whose work includes “A Wrinkle in Time,” “When They See Us,” and “Selma,” founded Array for one sole purpose: “Our work is dedicated to the amplification of independent films by people of color and women filmmakers globally.”

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a screening of the late John Singleton directed film, “2 Fast 2 Furious.”

The sequel to the first “The Fast and The Furious” film is your typical action-packed car blockbuster centered in the Universal franchise of the same name.

The film stars deceased actor Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Michael Ealy, including former Hoover High alumnus, Eva Mendes with the late John Singleton taking the helm as director.

Prior to the one hour and forty-eight minute screening in the newly opened Amanda Theater, people in attendance were treated to a conversation, much like a comic-con or expo panel, with star of the film Michael Ealy alongside founder of Array, Ava Duvernay.

Attendees were told stories about Singleton’s life, his impact in the African American community and film industry, and behind the scenes conversations only present members on set at the time could recall.

Ealy, who is also known for his work in “Stumptown,” “The Intruder” and “Barbershop,” shared how much of an inspiration Singleton was throughout his life.

It seemed like square inch of the Echo Park campus was filled with overjoyed people who were there to celebrate film and what it represents for multi-ethnic Los Angeles community.

Overall, Array is the place to be.