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Barbara Smith Conrad a beautiful, graceful and extremely talented African American vocalist knew exactly what she wanted when she attended the University of Texas Music Program back in 1957. That year was the university's first enrollment of black students in a newly desegregated environment, where she was forced to abandon her first major role due to racial discrimination
When I Rise is a delightful and detailed documentary on Barbara Conrad's journey through her magnificent career as one of America's few African American opera diva's. Narrated by Barbara herself in warm, relaxed and bright tones, the film captures the essence of her early creative passions and unwavering determination while facing a racial controversy that took thirty years to see a resolve.
Photo archives and choice footage of the university administration and Texas Legislature are key moments of major historical value that make this film an important educational reference to the fundamental evolution of a legal body and educational institution on race relations and human rights.
Director Mat Hames and editor Sandra Guardado depicted the wonderful success story of our heroine, her conflict, triumphs and eventual closure that ultimately has a real life fairy tale fiction like quality in as graceful a manner as the subject herself. Babara's fluid and elegant nature innately captivates her audience from the beginning. Live footage with friend, mentor and supporter Harry Belafonte adds to the sweet pleasure of viewing this film. The beautiful, lush green Texas scenary and wholesome Center Point community is the back drop for a large portion of the footage.
When I Rise is a must see for music enthusiasts, arts educators and students alike, with a real life message at its core - that for Barbara it was always really about the art, regardless of what socio-political conflicts were thrown in the mix.
by Eryn Vogn
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