As head of the Paul Robeson Archives, Paul Robeson, Jr. has spent years collecting material on the life of his father, Paul Robeson (1898-1976), singer, actor, and activist, a political spokesman committed to Socialism, African liberation, and the significance of both to Black Americans. After tonight's screening of the documentary Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist, and before Body and Soul, Mr. Robeson, Jr. will present a talk during which he will share with us many unique documents - rare film footage, tape recordings of Robeson rehearsing, etc. - to illuminate the career of the extraordinary man who was his father. Mr. Robesen, Jr.'s appearance is made possible by the Paul Robeson Archives and Janus Films.

Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist
Narrated by Sidney Poitier, this Academy Award-winning documentary focuses primarily on the career of Paul Robeson, using clips from feature films and rare news footage. In a review in the Village Voice, Carrie Rickey writes, “...(Robeson's) Othello was the longest-running Shakespearean play in Broadway history, and a backstage interview with Robeson, dressed in Moor's garb, hints why.... Because of clips like these, rarely seen footage of Robeson casually chatting, or singing... or literally stopping the Spanish Civil War - there was a day-long cease-fire when Robeson sang to the front lines... - Turell's documentary is overwhelming....
“The question Turell never explores... is: when Robeson challenged America's hypocrisy, vaunting its racism and injustice abroad, was he punished... because he was black, because he was a radical - or both?....
“The Robeson tribute reveals his gifts as an actor.... Comparing his various movie personas with his actual presence... Robeson emerges as a most modern actor... tailoring each role to the requirements of the situation and audience. Every delivery is unexpected....”