Stepping Into the Future

STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE – On the Occasion of the Publication of BAsics: A Celebration of Revolution and the Vision of a New World

For an evening, on April 11, 2011, hundreds of people joined in a thrilling taste of revolutionary possibility at Harlem Stage in NYC. BAsics from the talks and writings of Bob Avakian—the handbook for revolution in the twenty-first century—had just been published. To mark the occasion, musicians, dancers, poets, actors, visual artists, came together with revolutionaries and activists from the 1960s down to today for a cultural event titled: "On the Occasion of the Publication of BAsics: A Celebration of Revolution and the Vision of a New World."

This film is the story of this night – the reflections of the artists and participants: what inspired them, their hopes and dreams. From Avakian's roots in the '60's – his work with the Black Panther Party, to the inspiration of the revolution in China, to struggle for the liberation of women – the film tells of and makes you feel the still present need for a world free of all the oppressive relations the haunt the world today. This film gives a living sense of revolutionary joy and possibility – a different way humanity could be.

The film includes performances and interviews with Matthew Shipp & William Parker, David Murray, reg e. gaines, Maluca Mala, Abiodun Oyewole, Outernational, Maggie Brown, Guillermo E. Brown, Moist Paula Henderson, Aladdin & Avirodh Sharma, and others. Interviews, new and archival film features Bob Avakian, Dr. Cornel West, Richard Brown, Annie Day, & Carl Dix.

COMMENTS ABOUT THE FILM:

“What was amazing about the evening being told through art was that it was incredibly positive; it was really great that night to watch the artists inspire each other…everyone who came onto that stage…had a positive message about revolution.”
LEAH BONVISSUTO, Director of April 11, Event

“Avakian talks a lot about revolutionaries having a poetic imagination, so it was really good to see that idea within the context of an event that has to do with the political or philosophical idealism of revolution.”

MATTHEW SHIPP, Musician

“There really is a different way humanity can think, feel and be…and this night gave me a taste of that…a taste that needs to be shared and spread…as part of making this revolution, making this vision of a new world a reality.”

ANNIE DAY, Co-Director of the film