- Welcome to Independent Lens.
I'm Pete Schwaba, host of PBS Wisconsin's Director's Cut.
"Assembly is a whole new world.
"We're loving, we're dancing, we're sharing the space
"that we have created for ourselves
because it's something we won't find anywhere else."
That is a quote from tonight's film Assembly.
Assembly is not only the name of tonight's film.
It is also the name of the space in New York
that was transformed from an armory into a theater
where elaborate, inclusive, charismatic,
and radiant shows take place.
Where other people saw a cavernous,
empty former military building,
artist Rashaad Newsome saw a future sanctuary
which would become a sacred space
for Black and queer artists.
You'll see that Newsome has come a long way
from where he was raised in rural Louisiana,
where he felt marginalized as a Black queer child.
So, creating such a theater in New York City
where acceptance for people like Newsome is the norm
must've felt like destiny.
As an artist, Newsome is internationally recognized
for his multidisciplinary style,
which combines music, video, dance, and technology.
The film plays out like an extension of the space,
striving to showcase the energy of live performances
and Newsome's art, using dancers, poets, musicians,
and even a nonbinary AI creation called Being.
You heard that correctly.
Throughout the film, we see themes of resistance
and healing through art.
Similarly, during an Assembly live show,
viewers witness the influence of critical race theory,
Afrofuturism, and defiance,
all weaved together with music, dancing, and light.
Newsome and his team use video projections,
holograms, collages, music, sculptures, and dance,
which is empowering for the performers
as well as those they perform for.
Assembly was designed to be an educational space,
a gallery, and a performance venue.
Rashaad Newsome created a literal utopia
that was so unique, he kept going
and created a film experience,
proving to all that he is an artistic force.
Once you see what Rashaad has accomplished
with Assembly in New York City,
you'll realize no one else could've directed this film.
That's not to say he didn't have help.
Johnny Symons joined his friend in the director's chair.
Symons is an Emmy-nominated director
who has had films shown at SXSW and Sundance.
This is Newsome's directorial documentary
feature-length debut,
and he seems to have pulled it off just fine,
as Assembly was nominated for the Grand Jury Award
in the Documentary Feature category at SXSW,
where the film also had its world premiere.
Not a bad first outing.
Maybe we should have a few dancers in here
and some cool lights... but not the AI robot.
Sit back and relax, folks.
You're about to see a really cool, uplifting,
and inspirational film.
Assembly starts now on PBS Wisconsin,
your home for independent film.