Since 1988 The Burning Sands by Alicia has served Divine 9 greek organizations with. But now as a parent of a teenage daughter who will enter college in three years, I understand the point that had to be made. The Netflix film, Burning Sands (2017), is described online as: "Zurich Condoll (Trevor Jackson) is a student at Frederick Douglass University and is proud to be a pledge at a famous African-American fraternity. If you havent seen the whole movie, dont pass judgment, the New Orleans native said. No. Maybe I am just brainwashed to protect what I hold so dear. This is not just among U.S. college students, but also includes high school students, military deaths, adult societies, Masonic organizations and occupational deaths. [2], The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2017. Villa had been attempting to gain entry into the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at California State University when he was coerced into taking part in the hazing practice. 'Burning Sands' And The Death Of The Carefree Frat Film The dark side of the boys' club by Grant Rindner March 10, 2017 For a certain subset of society, there used to be no purer form of. Michael Walker (2016): Died of alcohol poisoning. I do think it was a missed opportunity to give a more rounded portrayal of black greek organizations even though there were a few scenes that did that. Before the catastrophic BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico all earth was thr. It shows how a pledgeship can go so wrong, and what we can do to prevent a meaningless death. Comfortable sweater keeps me warm without overheating. Jackson said he chose this project to convey a message. Are we truly uplifting one another even in the molding process for those trying to pledge? Zurich is joined in his fraternity quest by four mates, only two of whomangrier Frank (Tosin Cole) and nerdy Square (DeRon Horton)are really defined by McMurray and Christine Bergs screenplay. So much of black Greek life and mystique are based on secrecy and discretion. Demaris Webster, DePaul University '12, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As a member of a Black Greek Letter Organization, were you personally offended at any point during the film? The producer/s of the film Burning Sands is/are Stephanie Allain, Jason Michael Berman, Reginald Hudlin, Mel Jones. I thought: Robert was a grown man and made the choice on his own why put these students in jail for something he willingly put himself through? All rights reserved. LBS Sealed & Full Sets. Among black fraternities and sororities, there is the saying, Its harder once you make it across the burning sands. What are your thoughts on that?I think the purpose of the film was to start a serious conversation about the severity of underground pledging. They feature NPC towers, Alliance buildings, and outside of The Great Empire, Resource Villages. Nuwer suggests a competitive nature may also have a role to play in a participants willingness to take part. The city was ordered evacuated on May 3. I wanted to tell a story to create a dialogue, said McMurray, a Howard University graduate and a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. The Witch Trials of JK Rowling makes sensible points. How black Utah Jazz players have embraced Salt Lake City, The King is crowned: The true and actual arrival of LeBron James, The Undefeated 44: African Americans who shook up the world, Canada is now one of the worlds top sources of elite prep basketball recruits, beef between two hip-hop artists and the beef goes beyond the actual song as in Remy Ma vs. Nicki Minaj, the University of Oregon strength coach was suspended after pushing three players too hard, thus forcing them to be hospitalized. In the spring of 1981, a hunger strike involving an IRA prisoner became a story that caught the world's attention. There have been several cases of death and fatal injuries as a result of pledging. big brothers beating Frank until he 02:15 falls to the ground and starts foaming 02:17 at the mouth you know Frank the action 02:20 ceases as everyone realizes that Frank 02:23 needs. McMurray drew from real-life hazing deaths at two different HBCUs. What do you think the film did well?Even with its inconsistencies,Burning Sands was definitely filmed very well, capturing the mental and physical abuse of being hazed. It was amazing watching these two actors I grew up watching on TV. In 2011, a drum major at Florida A&M named Robert Champion died after being beaten and hazed on a bus. Based on feedback from people who arent Greek-affiliated, the positive characteristics of these organizations arent portrayed prominently enough in the film to indicate that the negative experiences that it depicts are exceptions to the norm. I couldnt help but think about the Jay Z song Get Your Mind Right Mami, in which he exclaims, Its a secret society, all we ask is trust. However, Greek life for most blacks has more significance than for some of my black and white friends who pledged predominantly white fraternities and sororities. Trusted Your donation is protected by the Beyond Burning Sands by P R Adams. When then-President Barack Obama announced his My Brothers Keeper initiative, all Divine Nine organizations pledged their support and extended their resources. I absolutely love everything about it. The latest Tweets from Die a Slow and Pitiful Death (@_Burning_Sands): "Gohan: "I don;t know how many times I blew up this regime."" Id be remiss to say that the film was entirely falsified; Gerard McMurray didnt make up the violent initiations depicted in Burning Sands. Instead, it's a cautionary tale about the dangers of hazing. Still, you ache as Zurich undergoes emotional U-turns in the hours before Hell Night, debating whether to expose Lambda Lambda Phi's tactics or summon his leadership potential to "cross the . And this is true, because now you have a chapter and committees to run. It stars Trevor Jackson, Alfre Woodard, Steve Harris, Tosin Cole, DeRon Horton and Trevante Rhodes. They want people to see it, especially students, and think about the repercussions of hazing, McMurray said. It's the best representation of Black Greek life that I've seen, especially compared to Stomp The Yard, Drumline, The Quad, etc. Theres no permanent solution hazing has always been with us and it will continue to be with us in 100 years.. In this case, I will be referring to Frank Zhang, our favorite son of Mars! 77 were here. What is a human life worth after a hazing death? In order to be a part of BGLO, there are academic requirements that must be met, meaning while there is a possibility your grades could slip during the pledging phase, there is still a large portion of your focus that must remain dedicated to your education. Such a notion, however, is soon contrasted with Professor Hughess favorite Douglass quote: Its easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. Whether hazing is thus a positive or a negative factor in a mans maturation remains, to some extent, open to interpretation. Patrick Jackson, Morehouse College '11, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Series: Burning Sands. $24.99. Rarely has the big-screen spotlight shone so directly on African-American college life, which is here rendered as a milieu at once distinctly black (the thudding hip-hop at frat parties; the step-dancing routines that take place at those shindigs, as well as in public campus spaces), and yet not all that different than any other sort of university setting, awash as it is in the usual mix of personalities, peer pressures and academic types. What are your thoughts on that?There needs to be a serious conversation had about hazing amongst BGLO and other organizations on campus. Were you personally offended at any point during the film? However, creating a film like this puts the director between a rock and a hard place, because while he is addressing very real issues of hazing and people seeking membership in BGLOs for superficial reasons, to truly address every aspect of the situation would require him to reveal confidential details of the process of pursuing membership in these organizations. There were things that resonated like the impact of professors who care about your well-being and take the time to advise you outside of the classroom. For prospective initiates, it's okay to stand up for what is wrong. Thats just me, though. What do you think the film did well?I think people went into the film wanting to be entertained by the HBCU/BGLO experience, but instead, they were educated. This store requires javascript to be enabled for some features to work correctly. 2021 Associated Newspapers Limited. The initiation required pledges to run down the center of the bus while being punched and kicked by senior members. SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched "Father Frank, Full of Grace," the series finale of "Showtime," available on . McMurrays film raises that provocative suggestion early on, during a discussion in Professor Hughess (Alfre Woodward) classroom about a historical letter describing the fear, distrust and envy used by whites to control their black human property. But the nuances are unique and so is the way I tell the story. Director Gerard McMurray Writers Christine T. Berg Gerard McMurray Stars Trevor Jackson Tosin Cole DeRon Horton See production, box office & company info Watch on Netflix with subscription But anti-hazing rules have driven his Hell Week underground, and the veteran members of his fraternity have degenerated into a pack of vicious, drunken, sadistic louts. It is also equally irresponsible for members of BGLOs to dismiss this movie as pure fiction when it is not. McMurray said fraternity brothers and others have questioned why hes tackling the topic of hazing because they think it will tarnish the image of black fraternities and sororities. For me, pledging a fraternity meant much more than just wearing some letters and being popular. See production, box office & company info, It's alright, I guess, but I just couldn't connect to it. Now, that's not to say that those practices are kept secret because they're bad or necessarily harmful, it's just that there are traditions that truly are integral and meaningful to the journey towards membership. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. They are lawyers, doctors, pro athletes, mayors, politicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, coders and journalists, to name a few. My sweater is one of the best quality pieces of paraphernalia I've collected in the past few years. How do we break these cycles? But unlikeBurning Sands, the musically driven movie portrays hazing as a rite of passage instead of a life-threatening crossroad. 2:54. The lessons gleaned from Douglasss words, though, are complicated. Shadow of the Tyrant. Featuring stars Trevor Jackson,. Not only is hazing illegal, but the practice has claimed the lives of far too many young men and women across college campuses all over America, including historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Theres a kind of effect where because you have endured this the next guy is certainly going to endure it, which is another reason why it doesnt stop theres always this need to do it at least one more time.. Two years later, two Virginia State University students Jauwan Holmes and Marvell Edmonson drowned during an initiation ritual for an unsanctioned group called Men of Honor. I think it showed how the experience of being on the line brings people together in ways that only other Greeks can understand. I wont quit no matter what the cost. The film is an ode to brotherhood, a . Hazing deaths in recent years Michael Walker (2016): Died of alcohol poisoning. The Burning Sands Trilogy Omnibus. My grades were the best theyd ever been because I was disciplined throughout the whole process. Replace art with better scans where needed. What was your initial reaction after watching Burning Sands? During the era of underground pledging, there continues to be a constant when it comes to lawsuits, serious injuries and deaths at the hands of the Divine Nine organizations. According to hazing expert Hank Nuwer, there has been at least one death every year from 1969 to 2016 as a result of hazing, initiation and pledging-related accidents. I wasn't really offended. Though the hazing of Champion happened during a band initiation, the prevalence of hazing runs deep, unfortunately, within the culture of some fraternities and sororities on both historically black and predominantly white campuses. And I think were tired of seeing ourselves depicted as slaves or abusive on screen. Anything else?A lot of Greeks are upset about the movie being made, but I applaud the director. My worry is, the people who don't know anything about BGLO's may watch this and think it's the norm and that everyone endures this type of abuse. Apollo then goes on, in mourning and shock, and by the end of the book, Riordan closes with Apollo remembering the words of Jason; promising himself to . The 1988 comedic drama School Daze, which Lee wrote and directed, follows the hazing rituals of the fictional Gamma Phi Gamma fraternity.But unlike Burning Sands, the musically driven movie portrays hazing as a rite of passage instead of a life-threatening crossroad. Burning Sands director is a Howard University alum and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Nuwer notes that these traditions arent exclusive to fraternities and sororities. Instigators waited one hour before calling an ambulance. In January 2016, it was announced Gerard McMurray would direct the film, from a screenplay by himself and Christine Berg, while Stephanie Allain, Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures, Reginald Hudlin and Shawn Knapp will serve as producers on the film alongside Netflix. Six of the nine would be founded at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and all of them are collectively referred to as the Divine Nine. We rarely see black people in college, he said. Although badly burned and wounded, both 35-year-old master carpenter Billy Weston, who had built Taliesin, and landscape gardener David Lindblom managed to escape with Fritz. Be sure to include what name you would like to be credited with! Matrix/Take: B-27626/5. Its the honor, distinction and dignity that have been traditions for thousands of mostly college-educated African-American women and men since 1906, when the first black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha (Martin Luther King Jr. and Stuart Scott were members) was founded. His death wasnt a freak one-off incident. Such ambiguity is also felt in a finale that finds Zurich and company coping with tragedy, and in the process, figuring out to whom theyre truly loyal. Also that I am my sister's keeper. This may be the only peek into Greek life for some people, and you don't want it to be blanketed by stereotypes. Sports team initiations in the UK are well publicised and examples of hazing exist in most countries. When you think about the people who viewed this movie, especially at Sundance, I assure you, it was mostly a white audience. This time around, Sands, a human rights lawyer, follows the trail of a big fish who was never caught: Otto Wchter, a high-ranking Nazi . I would add more, though. Burning Sands is pretty straight forward in terms of the plot, but there is a nice twist at towards the end of the film, which is probably when the movie hit its climax. The social and networking component of black Greek life is quite amazing due to the global reach of the Divine Nine. Because two Virginia State University students died while being hazed four years ago, administrators were all too happy to have McMurray use the schools campus for the movie. The pledges in the film were hazed, appeared to have been taught nothing during their process, and seemed to have shallow reasons for wanting to join in the first place. I wasn't offended because I know these things still, unfortunately, happen, so for me to not honor the truth is offensive to current and prospective members. Its not a coincidence that the Divine Nine organizations were founded during the Jim Crow era. The genres of the film Burning Sands is/are Drama, . These organizations bring people together, make change in the world, and give you a bond that you cant find anywhere. V3.1. Starring: Trevor Jackson, Alfre Woodard, Trevante Rhodes. I admit that simply pledging (or being hazed) doesnt ensure greatness. I would be very hesitant about showing something like that in front of white audiences; it feeds into the narrative that black men are savages. The actor committed suicide, per TMZ and other news outlets. Despite the advice, the young neophyte fraternity brothers wait together at the hospital awaiting the fate of their friend, Frank. I understand hazing is illegal, but they didnt deserve to get charged for manslaughter over a tradition that started decades ago. There was only one scene in a classroom, while there were several scenes at a fast food restaurant. Not everyone is Greek, and not everyone wants to be Greek. But she was very supportive of me as a first-time director. Promising student Zurich opens his eyes to some hard truths when his fraternity's violent hazing escalates into a disastrous hell night. Yes, I did lose 15 pounds off my 130-pound frame while I pledged. Its the idea of tradition, that its been done for X amount of time, even if its a criminal act, even if its bizarre behaviour, its part of that group. As a member of a sorority, I know how important campus involvement is and how much seeing women in my sorority have leadership roles on campus impacted my decision to seek membership. I wasnt necessarily personally offended; I just think that it put Greek letter organizations and black people in a bad light. After filming this, I talked to my team and I was like, Guys, we do need something a little light., I cant cry everyday, he added. The Unicorn Clan, called the Ki-Rin Clan before it left its homeland behind, originally set out from Rokugan soon after its founding to explore this region of the Mortal Realm and determine if its inhabitants presented any . I felt it was pretty accurate in the sense that it depicted how modern-day pledging has lost its way; although being a member of an organization brings status and a network, is it worth the loss of self-dignity and respect? Unconscious bias is real folks. I read an article that stated that since 2000 there have been 60 reported fraternity/sorority related deaths and 40 have been from white frats. For me, it meant that I completed one of the most arduous treks of my life. Words . Being that the focus was on excessive hazing, there should have been more light shed on the positive aspects other than stepping and parties. I say that because I look at a movie like School Daze that truly encompassed what it was like being a student at an HBCU. 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