SITE TOOLS
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It's All About Love
By Lisa R. Foeman Coming
to a television screen near you are feature-length, Black romance films developed by BET
Arabesque Films, America’s first Black-owned film studio established to produce
theatrical films and television movies from the African-American perspective.
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Courtesy of BET
Holly Robinson Peete
and
Michael Warren in After All |
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Courtesy of BET
Kellie Williams
in After All |
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The 10 films being produced by BET Arabesque
Films are based on Arabesque Books, the first line of original African-American romance
novels from a major publishing house, and purchased by BET Holdings, Inc. in 1998. The 10
original made-for-television movies are presented in a variety of genres -- suspense
thrillers, dramas, and comedies - and depict multi-faceted, contemporary African-American
relationships. Explained Karago, Vice President of Film Development and Production, we
selected those books that were “story line and character-driven rather than action
and device driven.”
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The Arabesque films are a lifeline for Black actors and
behind-the-scenes professionals hoping to gain and maintain a foothold in the film
industry. Stated Karago, “Part of BET’s mission is to create opportunity for
people in front of the camera and behind the camera…. Having a large slate [of films]
allows many people to work consistently and therefore practice and hone their craft.”
Hollywood talents - Holly Robinson Peete, Phil Morris, Vanessa Williams, Kim Fields, Ron
Glass, Cynda Williams - are just several of the Black actors starring in the films.
Four of the 10 films have already been aired, but will probably be re-run, said Karago.
They will air twice monthly with the first airing at 10pm/ET and the second at 11pm/ET;
check local listings.
The lineup: |
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Courtesy of BET
Wood Harris and Gina
Ravera in Rhapsody |
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Intimate Betrayal (aired
October, 1999): An assertive reporter assigned to cover a very private, multi-millionaire
computer wizard gets her story by engaging him in a passionate affair.
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Rendezvous (aired November,
1999): A young, beautiful woman trying to stay alive after her mob-connected husband is
murdered complicates matters by developing a romance with a successful graphic designer.
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After All (airs December 3 and
11, 1999): An ambitious new reporter faces a dilemma: romance or anchorwoman aspirations?
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Rhapsody
(airs January 7 and 15, 2000): A woman haunts the dreams of a boyfriend who abandoned her
to pursue singing stardom.
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Masquerade (airs February 4 and
12, 2000): A shy book editor meets her dream man on the Internet and must transform
herself into a desirable woman for their first meeting.
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Midnight Blue (airs March 3 and
11, 2000): A cosmetics company manager is caught in a battle between the company’s
president and her lover - the president’s brother.
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Hidden Blessings (airs April 7
and 15, 2000): A woman traumatized by a brutal rape finds a loving relationship with an
attorney.
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A Private Affair (airs May 5 and
13, 2000): A successful novelist, entangled in family and business problems, must confront
her past when she renews a relationship with a jazz musician.
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Playing With Fire (airs June 2
and 10, 2000): A computer company executive is the prime suspect in the murder of a
stranger in her home. Dangerous secrets involving a disappearance, money, and a lover
abound.
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Stay tuned - BET plans 10 more Arabesque
films for next season. M
December 1999 |
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