Green Flake

Freedom is a powerful word and feeling. It is the ability to live without constraint, the feel of living without hesitation. And it also feels good to hear the word freedom, mainly if you earned it or if you were deprived of it. Though the word itself symbolizes something that can be easily attained, going back in time and browsing through history, attaining freedom was never a walk in the park, particularly with our African American brothers and sisters. Accounts of slavery, racial discrimination, and plenty more of inhumane acts and inequality can be traced far down history can track. And unfortunately, up until today, we can still witness this kind of injustice and cruelty. The noticeable difference between then and now is how people of different colors are standing up for equality and racial justice.

Today we tackle a significant story that needs to be told. A timely film that expounds the value of freedom, and the current racial discrimination that many of us are fighting to extinguish for so long. Director Mauli Junior Bonner tells us the story of a man that played a notable part in the freedom of the pioneer African American migrants in the feature drama film “Green Flake”.  The story of Green Flake’s journey trails us back in time where oppression to the weak and difference of color is taken advantage of by the rich and privileged. And Green Flake and his people are unfortunate victims of this affliction. At a very young age, Green Flake was taken away from his mother for slavery. He is owned like a property and was given as a wedding gift. Growing up he is awakened to the unjust reality that many more generations to come will experience this kind of suffering. But the moment he learned about the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his vision of a better future for him and his people brightens. Green Flake’s legacy as one of the first African-American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his participation in their missions, is a journey that we all must-see. And thanks to this film by Mauli Junior Bonner, Green Flake’s epic account in history will be acknowledged.

I am very thankful to have screened this feature film. Not only did I get the chance to know Green Flake and witness an incredible journey. I am moved by the way his story was depicted. Director Mauli Junior Bonner was able to give justice to his tale by delivering it with utmost cinematic quality. From his directing, fine editing, soulful musical scores, and utterly marvelous cast (Yahosh Bonner, Kevin Goertzen, Stephen Jones, Clotile Farkas, and Michaelyn Oby), this film is indisputably one of the best drama features I have seen this season. And I believe many more, just like me, will be moved by Green Flake’s story once they witness in this film the way he embodied freedom with a strong faith together with the lord’s grace and love for his family and the people around him. Amazing is an understatement to describe this movie, so better catch this film and get to know Green Flake and many more incredible people that mattered in history.