Whoopi Goldberg hosts the June 10 presentation and screening - based on a true story of the murder of an Ethiopian college student killed by racist skinheads, the film is about the pain and personal triumph of a son left behind; the screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s directors.
The must-see animated short A Cow in the Sky will premiere at Tribeca Festival 2023 at a special program on Saturday, June 10. Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, the screening will feature a Q&A with directors C. Fraser Press and Darren Press. Film participant James McElroy, civil rights attorney, and former Southern Poverty Law Center Board Chair will attend.
The film is based on the true story of Mulugeta Seraw, an Ethiopian college student killed in Portland, Oregon in 1988 by racist skinheads in a crime inspired by white supremacist Tom Metzger. A Cow in the Sky is a film about the pain and personal triumph of a son left behind.
“I have a cow in the sky but cannot drink her milk,” shared the directors, “…is an Ethiopian adage that our protagonist recalls hearing often from his grandfather beautifully illustrates the struggle between one’s dream and one’s reality. Our short film, A Cow in the Sky, is based on a true story and one that we felt needed to be told.”
They continued, “In our short film, a small but poignant piece of a much larger story, the boy, depicted as a teenager in love with airplanes and flying, sets out on his first solo flight. During this flight, the boy ruminates on his past, his father, his identity, and the American dream. When potential tragedy strikes, he must rely on his wits and talent and rises up to become the hero of his own story.”
C. Fraser Press and Darren Press explained that Seraw’s murder, subsequent criminal convictions, and historic civil trial started a ripple effect that spread across the country. Led by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the trial financially crippled American white supremacist Tom Metzger, and his organization WAR, White Aryan Resistance.
The directors added, “We chose to blend animation, showing our protagonist’s flight and his memories, with actual historical video footage and sound from the time of the murder, including Metzger and the infamous trial. This footage is used to both highlight the demons our protagonist is wrestling with and to serve as points of origin for both the events that shaped our story and aspects of America as we are living it today.”
They added, “The process of making this film has been humbling and inspiring, even more so as we assembled a diverse and talented group of animators and artists, including Grammy-nominated hip hop artist Aminé who is from Portland and of Ethiopian descent, to help us realize our vision.”
Here is a rundown of the world premiere screenings:
Saturday, June 10 - 5:15 PM
AMC 19th Street East 6 - (890 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)
- Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. Followed by a Q&A with directors C. Fraser Press and Darren Press. Film participant James McElroy, civil rights attorney, and former Southern Poverty Law Center Board Chair will attend.
Sunday, June 11 - 2:15 PM
AMC 19th Street East 6 - (890 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)
- Followed by a Q&A with directors C. Fraser Press and Darren Press.
Saturday, June 17 - 12:15 PM
AMC 19th Street East 6 - (890 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)
- Followed by a Q&A with directors C. Fraser Press and Darren Press.
Tickets and more information are available here.
Public virtual screenings are available from June 19 – July 2.
Source: Tribeca Festival
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
