Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Acquires Sonia Lowman Doc “Teach Us All”
Ava DuVernay’s independent distribution company, ARRAY, has acquired its 17th film: Sonia Lowman’s “Teach Us All.” The documentary explores the U.S. education system and how it has changed — and hasn’t — since the integration of the Little Rock Nine in the mid-1950s.
“In September 1957, nine African American students were selected to integrate the previously all-white Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. The enrollment of these students, known as the ‘Little Rock Nine,’ was met with violent, racially charged opposition and became a seminal mark in the Civil Rights Movement,” a press release announcing the acquisition detailed. Lowman’s “Teach Us All” “weaves together interviews, archival images, and news footage to present one of the most urgent civil rights issues of our time: quality education for all children.”
“Through her film, documentarian Sonia Lowman has created an important platform for discussion about the current state of education in our nation and how far we have come — or not come — in the past 60 years,” stated Tilane Jones, ARRAY’s Executive Director. “We’re thrilled to add this meaningful work to ARRAY’s catalog and we look forward to sharing the
story’s call to action with audiences worldwide.”
ARRAY has secured the worldwide distribution rights to “Teach Us All” and plans to release it via Netflix September 25, in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine’s integration. The film will also be presented in cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, and Memphis on a national screening tour.
Launched by “Selma” director DuVernay in 2010, ARRAY was originally known as AFFRM. The LA-based film collective is focused on highlighting works by and about people of color and women. Their previous releases include Heidi Saman’s “Namour,” Rebecca Johnson’s “Honeytrap,” Amanda Marsalis’ “Echo Park,” and DuVernay’s own “Middle of Nowhere.”
Check out the full list of “Teach Us All” screening locations below, courtesy of ARRAY.
Los Angeles, CA — California African American Museum
Philadelphia, PA — African American Museum in Philadelphia
Seattle, WA — Sankofa Film Society at Ark Lodge Cinema
Memphis, TN — National Civil Rights Museum
Bloomington, IN — Black Film Center/Archive at Indiana University
Houston, TX — Houston Museum of African American Culture
Gary, IN — Gary International Black Film Festival at Indiana University Northwest
