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Audrey Bronson

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1979/2021
01:19:34
United States of America
A remarkable portrait of Rev. Audrey Bronson, PhD, which contrasts her roles as minister, college professor, and school principal in an African-American community in West Philadelphia.
Physical formats available:
16mm
Digital formats available:
Quicktime (Pro Res)
Audio & visual:
Sound, Color

Zantzinger uses the direct cinema approach for his portrayal of Rev. Audrey F. Bronson (now Bishop Bronson), which compares and contrasts her roles as minister, college professor and school principal in an African-American community in West Philadelphia.

The film looks at this unique bond between pastor and congregation. Scenes of Rev. Bronson's electrifying and cathartic preaching are framed by comments from parishioners who relay in interviews their experiences with her. The film shows Rev. Bronson teaching college psychology classes at Cheyney State University, and leading a church-based elementary school as its principal. Throughout the film, Rev. Bronson discusses her philosophy about God, love, ethics, self-determination and racial politics. Her discourses on conquering fear and hate are especially poignant in light of the fact that her grandfather was beaten to death by members of the Ku Klux Klan. Rev. Bronson is energetic, outgoing, outspoken with a fiery yet personable countenance that drives her as she clearly seeks a better life for all.

Producer and Director: Gei Zantzinger
Editor: Ben Levin
Sound: Steven Feld
Collection
Constant Spring Productions
(18)
Ethnomusicologist Gei Zantzinger was an independent filmmaker and student of folklore who began making films in Africa in 1966, collaborating with musicians and other notable ethnomusicologists and filmmakers. His career in the social sciences spanned nearly 50 years. Gei’s efforts resulted in a broad collection of 17 extraordinary films made between 1966 and 1997 that examine the roles that oral traditions, music and dance play in preserving and informing personal, cultural and spiritual identity in disparate communities around the world.
Collection
Music and Dance
(62)
Global selection of music and dance films and titles.