Broadcast on July 13 at 11 pm, and repeated on Friday, July 18, at 1 am.

IN THE RIVERS OF MERCY ANGST (1996) (25:00)
by Ayoka Chenzira

This is a story created in the tradition of magical realism. Mercy Angst is captured by a mischievous spirit known as Keeper of Memory, who uses her to vent his anger, and she goes mad. Mercy discovers the key to regaining her sanity when unexpectedly visited by two other spirits, who instruct her that the only way she can return to herself is to truly love herself. In a dance of freedom, Mercy wins out and loses her "angst."

For interesting insights into the artist and her work, check out the REEL NEW YORK interview with Ayoka Chenzira.

Ayoka Chenzira is founder and president of the New York-based film and video production company Red Carnelian. Ms. Chenzira's company produces a variety of work that tells compelling stories about black life and culture, including award-winning filmmaking, animation, documentary, short dramas, and performance pieces. Ms. Chenzira's 1993 film ALMA'S RAINBOW is one of the first 35mm feature films for theatrical release to be written, produced and directed by an African-American woman. Ms. Chenzira has also been honored by the mayors of New York City and Detroit for her outstanding contributions to the field of black independent cinema.

MORNINGSIDE PREP (1996) (26:00)
by Malcolm D. Lee

In a predominately white prep school, two black students are faced with defining their own identities. One student has always kept a balance of not being perceived as too white or too black, while the other, a brash new student, cannot "adjust" to his surroundings. The two students collide in their outlook on assimilation, and in the end one of them chooses to follow the other.

For interesting insights into the artist and his work, check out the REEL NEW YORK interview with Malcolm Lee.

Malcolm D. Lee is a graduate film student from Brooklyn, New York. He has been making films since the age of 12, cutting his teeth on Super-8 and video. Mr. Lee's award-winning short film, MORNINGSIDE PREP, has been screened at numerous festivals throughout the country, including New York University's First Run Film Festival, Palm Springs International Short Film Festival, and The Night of Black Independents in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Lee's long-term goal is to be one of the few remaining auteurs working in the film industry, and to make entertaining, thought-provoking films.

TENACITY (1994) (8:45)
by Chris Eyre

Two Native American boys encounter the haphazard violence of a roadside hit-and-run accident. This is a story of friendship and the loss of innocence.

Chris Eyre is a 27-year-old Cheyenne/Arapaho filmmaker from Klamath Falls, Oregon. Eyre's work centers around informed self-representation of contemporary and historical Native America. Eyre's short film TENACITY received the Mobil Award from New York University's First Run Film Festival. Mr. Eyre recently completed his M.F.A. in Filmmaking at New York University.