The Kennedy Center has announced the August 1 screening of Untitled: Dave Chappelle Documentary Film, a documentary film that follows comedian and Silver Spring native Dave Chappelle to his current home of Yellow Springs, Ohio, as the community reels from the events of 2020:
Fueled by the murder of George Floyd, shut-in by the closures of business and unable to perform around the country, the movie follows Chappelle as he provides the community he calls home with two things desperately needed in difficult times – economic and comic relief. What began as an experimental socially-distanced live comedy show in a neighbor’s cornfield, grew into an unforgettable summer with his neighbors, friends and fellow comedians. Ultimately, Chappelle’s cornfield concerts would serve as a model of courage not just for his community, but for the entire live entertainment industry.
Following the screening will be remarks from filmmakers Steve Bognar, Julia Reichert, and Dave Chappelle.
“When Dave came to us with the idea, we were immediately struck by the challenge to tell the story of our part of the world during the pandemic and the national reckoning on racial injustice,” Reichert said to Fox 5. “This was a historic moment and we really wanted to chronicle this place and this time—it just felt right.”
According to The MoCo Show, Chappelle grew up in Silver Spring and attended Woodlin Elementary School before moving to Washington, D.C. to attend Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
Photo: ©Pilot Boy Productions 2020 Mathieu Bitton