The film, slated for release in October 2018, is being co-directed by Kaino and Afshin Shahidi, most known for his work as a creative collaborator of Prince. Jesse Williams, John Legend, Ty Stiklorius, Mike Jackson, and Delois Smith will executive produce the film.
ABOUT TOMMIE SMITH:
In 1968, Tommie Smith won first place in the 200-meter men’s race at the Olympic games in Mexico City despite sustaining an injury earlier in the day. During the award ceremony, Tommie walked to the platform wearing only black socks on his feet — the first sign of a symbolic protest that would become even more powerful in the following minutes. He accepted the gold medal, and then, as the customary playing of the national anthem began, he raised his fist to give the Black Power salute and then, bowed his head. The image of Tommie and John Carlos, who joined him in this powerful act, has circulated beyond the time and context in which it came into being — becoming instead a symbol for a myriad of beliefs, ideas, and social causes.
ABOUT GLENN KAINO:
Glenn Kaino is a conceptual artist with a career that spans an extraordinary range of media and creative activity, whose practice has rigorously investigated the systems of power that have controlled person, place and the production of knowledge. His artwork, seen by millions around the world, has utilized various strategies to create improbable moments and impossible works from seemingly incompatible materials, all in order to create tangible transformation and to suggest, if even for a moment, that there are radical new ways of being and knowing in our world. In addition, Glenn is also an experienced entrepreneur
who has lead major digital brands for Oprah Winfrey's OWN Network,
Napster, and Universal Music Group/Farmclub.
