FINDING AUMONT WHITAKER A short documentary film by Leslie Cunningham
At age 22, Dina learned her real father was a postman from Compton, California. Her mother told her he was married and she shouldn’t interfere. Dina didn’t. Left with three assumptions- he either didn’t know about her, he didn’t want her or he didn’t love her, Dina convinced herself she was her father’s unknown child. More than two decades later, when Dina finds her siblings on Facebook, she sets out on a trip across the country to surprise them. An emotional journey filled with sorrow, love and laughter, Finding Aumont Whitaker will uplift hearts and bring families closer together. Run-time 11:41 minutes. A TRIBES Entertainment Film.
LAINE BROWN, a spirited and passionate male impersonator born on North Carolina’s rural coast, transforms by taping down her breasts, shaving her head, and studying the masculine performances of today’s most famous male entertainers -to become the incomparable NATION TYRE, show-stopper and ground-breaker for women in drag. Challenged by a desire to please all of those that love her, Nation is on a mission to generate acceptance for women like her. As she pushes the bounds of female gender identity, is there room for a lone performer, to challenge the constraints at work in the African-American and LGBT community in pursuit of fame and visibility on the world stage?
In the new feature documentary film M.I., A Different Kind of Girl, filmmakers, Leslie Cunningham and Alana Jones enter the world of new millennium drag and pick up the torch ignited by documentary films like Paris is Burning to investigate attitudes in their own LGBT and African- American communities about women in drag. In the process, they uncover powerful ideas about female gender identity and sexuality in not only the mainstream popular culture but also within the marginalized LGBT and African American communities where Nation has made a name for herself.
Set in the American South, this thought-provoking film from TRIBES Entertainment uses candid interviews, performance footage, artful b-roll, images of striking green in the Carolina Piedmont and more to bring viewers through the flashing lights into the heart of Nation Tyre (M.I.). Introducing Laine Brown as Nation Tyre, The House of Tyre, Breyannah Allure, Paris Brooks, Image, First Lady, Hollywood and many more. Featuring music and special commentary by Hip Hop’s hottest female duo, KIN4LIFE. Purchase on DVD or watch on demand now!
Stories from the Frontline of Urban Music, Arts and Culture 