Release Date: 2007-02-25 Running Time: 1:50 Content Rating: PG (Parental Guidance) DVD Region: 1 - U.S., Canada, U.S. Territories Media Format: NTSC-DVD Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Audio Language(s): English
Long before the recent wave of outspoken poets, journalists and filmmakers began discussions on the current state of affairs; Oscar Brown Jr. was speaking out to the world on all of the topics that confront not only Black Americans, but all people overlooked and downtrodden by the government. Using a myriad of media forms, Oscar Brown Jr. is not only a revolutionary for the past, but also the present and future. A poet, playwright, civil and social activist, musician, composer, lyricist and author, Oscar Brown Jr. takes us on the road that is his birthright as a man of all seasons. In the feature length documentary film “Music is My Life, Politics My Mistress”, filmmaker donnie l. betts focuses on the life of Oscar Brown Jr. and his great contribution to our history, which has gone largely unrecognized due to his politically charged speech and teachings. Oscar Brown Jr. has been described by Don Heckman of the LA Times as “…a national treasure who should be honored by the Kennedy Center…” “Music Is My Life, Politics My Mistress” is told through the eyes of the artist, using historical film footage, live performances of music, dance and poetry, and provocative commentary by noted performing artists and icons such as: Abbey Lincoln, Nichelle Nichols, Brother Ayuko Babu, Amiri Baraka, Al Jarreau, Studs Terkel, and many others. This compelling look at the life of a legend has the power to not only make us question ourselves and our purpose, but to honor an elder of the American Peoples while he is still among us, teaching us and causing us to leave something substantial to the next generation. A man of all ages, Oscar Brown Jr. truly is an American icon.