FREE SCREENING: WE WANT THE FUNK!

WE WANT THE FUNK! is a syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, spanning from African, soul, and early jazz roots, to its rise into the public consciousness. Featuring James Brown's dynamism, the extraterrestrial funk of George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic, transformed girl group Labelle, and Fela Kuti's Afrobeat, the story also traces funk's influences on both new wave and hip-hop.

Hosted by Sydney Alison, the free screening of WE WANT THE FUNK! will feature two special guests: Director Stanley Nelson ("Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre") and a favorite Tulsa musician, Charlie Redd.

About Stanley Nelson - Director

Stanley Nelson is among the premier documentary filmmakers working today. His feature-length films combine compelling narratives with rich and deeply researched historical detail, shining new light on both familiar and under-explored aspects of the American past.

In addition to honors for his individual films, Nelson and his body of work have garnered every major award in the industry. He is a MacArthur "Genius" Fellow, and was awarded an individual Peabody Award, the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts Sciences, and received the National Medal in the Humanities from President Barack Obama.

Fun Indie Lens Fact: Nelson was the executive director on "Free For All: The Public Library" which screened recently at Circle Cinema.

About Charlie Redd - Musician

Charlie Redd is a Florida singer, entertainer and band leader who regularly performs with the Full Flava Kings who have been blessing Tulsa and the Midwest with R&B , Hip Hop, blues, reggae and other styles of music for several decades. Opening shows for artists such as James Brown, Brian McKnight, Morris Day & The Time, Midnight Star…just to name a few! Several local and regional artists have went on to create their own careers from being with the FFK’s…"always looking forward to entertaining and educating" says leader and bass player Charlie Redd!

About Sydney Alison - Host & Local Filmmaker

Sydney Alison is a filmmaker and Producer's Assistant from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a graduate of The University of Tulsa, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies with a minor in Innovation & Entrepreneurship in 2020. While at TU, Sydney was a founding member of the TU Film Club, collaborated with other students to produce weekly episodes of TUTV, and served as a camp counselor for the university's summer filmmaking camp. As a student, she had the opportunity to intern for with the Tulsa American Film Festival, work as an office PA on the Lionsgate film, 'The Adventures of A.R.I: My Robot Friend,' and work with Emmy Award winning film production company Kirkpatrick & Kinslow. A proud Tulsan, Sydney is passionate about supporting Oklahoma's bustling film community and actively volunteers for local film festivals.

Today, Sydney is a full-time Producer's Assistant at Kirkpatrick & Kinslow Productions in Tulsa, Oklahoma! At KKP, Sydney acts as a liaison between the producers and others involved in their projects, organizes meetings and events, produces short films, and coordinates marketing efforts for KKP and their film properties.

Indie Lens Pop-Up is a neighborhood series that brings people together—virtually and in-person—for film screenings and community driven conversations. Featuring documentaries seen on PBS’s Independent Lens, Indie Lens Pop-Up draws local residents, leaders, and organizations to discuss what matters most, from newsworthy topics and social issues to family and community relationships. Since its inception in 2005, more than 7,200 Indie Lens Pop-Up events have brought an estimated 430,000 participants together to discuss issues that impact local communities.

Independent Lens is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series. With founding executive producer Lois Vossen, the series has been honored with 10 Academy Award nominations and features documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers. Presented by ITVS, Independent Lens is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Park Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts.