Burning Sandsgives us the good, the bad and the ugly about fraternity life at HBCUs, Trevor Jackson, Steve Harris in Burning Sands. As one of the many proud FAMU alumni and a friend to many who experienced the same ritual, including my dad, I was torn regarding the Champion incident. No one dies in School Daze,but in real life people die all the time.. The social and networking component of black Greek life is quite amazing due to the global reach of the Divine Nine. At 2:05 a.m. on Nov. 26, 1996, a gathered crowd cheered with an early morning raucousness known only to the not-so-sober as charges went off in rapid succession up and down the 17-story tower of. 1.6K 108K views 5 years ago We speak to the director and cast of Netflix's Burning Sands about what happened at the end of the movie, and what it's all about. The pledges in the film were hazed, appeared to have been taught nothing during their process, and seemed to have shallow reasons for wanting to join in the first place. The brotherhood and the family I acquired made me who I am but thats what separates pledging from hazing.. What was your initial reaction after watching Burning Sands?I watched the film after hearing quite a number of negative reviews, so I didnt have the highest expectations, to begin with, but I dont think it was as bad as some people made it out to be. Trevor Jackson (American Crime) stars as Zurich, a bright and outgoing pre-med student determined to successfully pledge the fictional Lambda Phi fraternity at his historically black college. Frank resided in. We reached out to 12 men and women who are members of the Divine Nine (the nickname for the nine Black Greek Letter Organizations)and asked them to share their reactions to the film. Secrets and Lies. I definitely stopped the movie a few times to get myself together. From the time I played little league sports to the time I entered corporate America, Ive experienced some form of hazing. Fix typos. But unlikeBurning Sands, the musically driven movie portrays hazing as a rite of passage instead of a life-threatening crossroad. Breanna Washington, Spelman College '13, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. How do you feel about the way in which BGLOs and the HBCU experience were portrayed in this movie?The movie hardly depicted what it was like attending an HBCU and mainly focused on the pledging environment. Hazing isnt exclusive to the United States. The way the pledges were treated, as well as the hazing, was somewhat dramatized. Demaris Webster, DePaul University '12, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As a member of a Black Greek Letter Organization, were you personally offended at any point during the film? However, the question is at what cost? Unfortunately for Zurich and his line brothers, the fraternitys overzealous upperclassmen are power-drunk bullies who sadistically torture them at every turn. My favorite actors Denzel Washington and Michael Shannon are people who go there. Philip Lewis, Michigan State University '13, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. What was your initial reaction after watching Burning Sands?That there is a distinction between pledging and hazing. Hazing deaths in recent years Michael Walker (2016): Died of alcohol poisoning. 'Burning Sands' Explores the Terrors of Hazing and the Legacy of Slavery TRAUMA Gerard McMurray's ('Fruitvale Station') new Netflix film, premiering March 10th, follows five black men navigating. From the time I became interested to the time I crossed totaled 18 months. There are some colleges that dont have those groups but they still have hazing in their athletics groups. That pre-med student Zurich (impressive newcomer Trevor Jackson) hasnt read this letter only further helps lay the foundation for the subsequent tale, in which Zurich is put through a gauntlet of torment and is forced to reassess his feelings toward comrades who are eager to dominate through terroralbeit in a spirit of fostering brotherhood.. If you havent seen the whole movie, dont pass judgment, the New Orleans native said. The initiation required pledges to run down the center of the bus while being punched and kicked by senior members. The actor committed suicide, per TMZ and other news outlets. FAMU settled a lawsuit for $1.1 million and issued an apology about the incident. This may be the only peek into Greek life for some people, and you don't want it to be blanketed by stereotypes. Furthermore, I enjoyed the one professor's concern with Zurich; educators at HBCUs are definitely more connected with their students. These events have, do, and will continue to happen. Read what each of them took away from Burning Sands in the interviews, below. Members of fraternities who dont take part in initiations are oftenshunned duringtheir college career and excluded from social events. Instigators waited one hour before calling an ambulance. No. His ability to captivate is even stronger inBurning Sands,a film that capitalizes on his strengths. Hank Nuwer, author of Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking, explains to i why students willingly take part in hazing rituals. As a member of a sorority, I know how important campus involvement is and how much seeing women in my sorority have leadership roles on campus impacted my decision to seek membership. Each chapter will introduce a new character, story line, and/or location. Lord of the Rings TCG. They want people to see it, especially students, and think about the repercussions of hazing, McMurray said. What are your thoughts on that?I think the purpose of the film was to start a serious conversation about the severity of underground pledging. Patrick Jackson, Morehouse College '11, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. No matter what it is, its not worth a persons life. McMurray drew from real-life hazing deaths at two different HBCUs. BGLO's are a big component of the culture but not all of it. It goes back to the adage of who polices the police? McMurrays film isnt nearly as stylized as Neels, taking a more straightforward aesthetic approach to its material. The ensuing student debate focuses on the documents authenticity, and whether or not that matters if what it conveys is true. NYLON 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. However, March 9 was a much bigger deal for me because it was the 50th anniversary of the day my dad crossed the burning sands of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity at Florida A&M University (FAMU). He makes himself available to be told of pledge abuse but not far enough to break the fraternity code of silence and secrecy. In his new Netflix movie, Burning Sands, director Gerard McMurray ( Fruitvale Station) takes an unflinching look at college hazing. It's important to embody those values to empower pledgees so that these same problematic practices don't continue. Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first black sorority, would be founded two years later in 1908 (Michelle Obama and tennis great Zina Garrison are members). Nuwer notes that these traditions arent exclusive to fraternities and sororities. 2021 Associated Newspapers Limited. The film is an ode to brotherhood, a . Hes written for and/or appeared in Forbes, Inc., CNN, MSNBC, Fast Company and serves as a contributor for The New Kiss104.1FM morning show in Atlanta. It currently holds an 87% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. I love having fun, Jackson said. Burning Sandsis available to watch on Netflix. Nuwer believesthat harsher sentencing needs to be handed out to those who instigate extreme acts of hazing. Black fraternities and sororities on campuses provide images of young black men and women that mainstream media dont show. Lauren Babb, American University '14, former member of Delta Sigma Theta. During the movie, two Frederick Douglass quotes are repeated: "It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men," and, "If there is . big brothers beating Frank until he 02:15 falls to the ground and starts foaming 02:17 at the mouth you know Frank the action 02:20 ceases as everyone realizes that Frank 02:23 needs. He said that the film was inspired by the death of a student and that he wants to use it to start a conversation about a call to action to stop hazing. Hell Week is the period that culminates one's pledging process. Im not familiar with any films about BGLOs in which black sororities are just as visible as the frats, so I was hoping that Burning Sands would break this trend. Academia and growth were only [tangentially referenced] in Burning Sands, while there was an emphasis on social life. 39 square miles). revamp thrums with sexual tension, Do not sell or share my personal information. Its not a coincidence that the Divine Nine organizations were founded during the Jim Crow era. Anything else?A lot of Greeks are upset about the movie being made, but I applaud the director. Beyond Burning Sands by P R Adams. Burning Sands | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix Watch on Burning Sands is the debut feature from Gerard McMurray, whose most notable producing credit is on Ryan Coogler's devastating. The lessons gleaned from Douglasss words, though, are complicated. I read an article that stated that since 2000 there have been 60 reported fraternity/sorority related deaths and 40 have been from white frats. Dri Fit, UPF 50+, Moisture Wicking, Breathable, Recycled Material, Wrinkle Free Collar. We rarely see black people in college, he said. A 2007 survey showed that 55% of male and female students took part in hazing rituals. 2 Wild Doges spawn after 23.33 seconds 700f, delay 13.33~16.67 seconds 400f~500f. Looking at the film, I am not even sure why anyone would have wanted to join Lambda Phi, based off of how they conducted themselves on campus. Of course, there was a physical element that Id never experienced before, but it was the mental challenges that made pledging hard. Promising student Zurich opens his eyes to some hard truths when his fraternity's violent hazing escalates into a disastrous hell night. At Alfred University, after a studentwas beaten and after a pledge died of alcohol poisoning, they banned the entire Greek system, but they still have hazing in the football team and a guy nearly died following the ban. To Rokugani, the Burning Sands are a gaijin enigma. The first chapter, The Chef, features an individual who needs your help for a variety of unusual tasks. All rights reserved. The Burning Sands Trilogy Omnibus. It is important that we are the ones telling our stories and telling them truthfully, but we also need to be cognizant that eyes are on us and we should be telling stories holistically. The Great Empire (aka GE or simply . Not everything about pledging is bad, and not every brother in the organization is mean. I developed a mental toughness and resolve that I didnt know I had. I do think it was a missed opportunity to give a more rounded portrayal of black greek organizations even though there were a few scenes that did that. But she was very supportive of me as a first-time director. When the pledges were talking about their reasoning for wanting to join the fraternity. My sweater is one of the best quality pieces of paraphernalia I've collected in the past few years. Drama Deep into Hell Week, a favored pledgee is torn between honoring his code of silence or standing up against the intensifying violence of underground hazing. Find out where to watch online amongst 45+ services including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video. All of us had at least a passing interest in Burning Sands, a film that turns the pledge process into a stressful . 2:54. Despite the advice, the young neophyte fraternity brothers wait together at the hospital awaiting the fate of their friend, Frank. Production: A Netflix presentation of a Mandalay Pictures, Homegrown. I was really disheartened by the depiction of Black Greek Organizations. Life at an HBCU is a constant balancing act between academia, individual growth, and social life. I learned to push my mind, body and soul to limits that I didnt think were possible. Six convicted of hazing and providing alcohol to a minor. I do think it gave a great general glance at life at these institutions and orgs. My mindset when I pledged was: By Any Means Necessary. Despite charities like hazingprevention.organd activists like Nuwer, the problem of hazing is likely to persist,according to the Indiana lecturer. To me, it was very one-dimensional and flat in depicting what it is like to actually be pledging at an HBCU. Lastly, I believe the film did a good job highlighting some of the challenges you face while pledging, i.e., discretion, maintaining relationships, financial strain, and time management. Love for Black Fraternities and Sororities, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (USD $), Kappa Alpha Psi Crimson Golf Stand Bag - COMING SOON, Kappa Alpha Psi Cream Golf Stand Bag - COMING SOON, Alpha Phi Alpha Half Zip Pullover Sweater. I wont quit no matter what the cost. Frank's Death. There is more to this movie than hazing. Be sure to include what name you would like to be credited with! You can make a man (or woman) work hard for something and allow them to keep their dignity. I can go from the boardroom to happy hour without changing. And once I crossed the burning sands, it did become harder. Below is a list of cards from The Awakening that we need better scans of. I wish the film also mentioned less frivolous reasons for joining a fraternity. What do you think the film did well?I believe that it gave the viewer a look into a very exclusive world. That topic is of similar concern to the latest original feature from Netflix, Burning Sands, albeit in a manner thats as unexpected as it is intriguing. The release date of the film Burning Sands is , 2017. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Anything else?As people of color, we are all unique and multifaceted in so many ways. Now that Jackson has proven he can be portray dramatic roles, hes ready to tackle a comedy or two, he said. Torn (Ednaswap song) 1:21. I would be very hesitant about showing something like that in front of white audiences; it feeds into the narrative that black men are savages. My response: If you simply see it as that, then it will be just that. Most residents. Jackson said he chose this project to convey a message. So, my theory for Tyrant's Tomb is that- okay get ready for it- Frank Zhang will die. Burning Sands Golf Collection FRATERNAL GOLF Par 06 GOLF BAG COLLECTION Burning Sands Alpha Phi Alpha Black Golf Stand Bag $235.06 Add to cart Burning Sands Alpha Phi Alpha White Golf Stand Bag $235.06 Add to cart Burning Sands Kappa Alpha Psi Crimson Golf Stand Bag - COMING SOON $235.11 Sold out Sold out Burning Sands What are your thoughts on that?Everything about learning and growing should be intentional and purposeful. I just wish that there were more nuances that showed the positive aspects and members of the organization in the film because there are so many! The 1988 comedic drama School Daze, which Lee wrote and directed, follows the hazing rituals of the fictional Gamma Phi Gamma fraternity. Burning Sands: Jihad is the first setting supplement for Burning Wheel Revised, and is based on Frank Herbert's Dune, with a nod to modern politics.Salt is melange, the Mahdi-Emperor is Paul, the Sisterhood is the Bene Gesserit, and the Syndicate is the Guild. BurningSands director said that he wanted to use the movie to start a conversation about a call to action to stop hazing. [2], The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2017. I wanted to tell a story to create a dialogue, said McMurray, a Howard University graduate and a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. . I think much of that comes from the lack of character development in the film. On March 9, hip-hop music fans around the world were recognizing the 20th anniversary of rapper Biggie Smalls death. Gerard McMurray, a producer on acclaimed filmFruitvale Station, directed and co-wrote Burning Sands, which also stars Oscar-nominated actress Alfre Woodard (Luke Cage), Steve Harris (The Practice), and Trevante Rhodes (Moonlight). In BURNING SANDS, Zurich (Trevor Jackson) is a new student at Frederick Douglas University who is trying to survive as a fraternity pledge during "Hell Week.""Hell Week" is a time when fraternity pledges are made to endure a plethora of humiliations from fraternity brothers -- if Zurich can make it through "Hell Week," he will be a member of one of the most prestigious fraternities on campus . It was amazing watching these two actors I grew up watching on TV. Sports team initiations in the UK are well publicised and examples of hazing exist in most countries. Hazing is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Other organizations use this term as it speaks to the trials and tribulations that people face and rise above in life. Copyright Fandango. There are some who are attracted to the parties and boisterousness of particular organizations. These senseless deaths inspired Netflixs compelling new movie Burning Sands, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and starts streaming on Netflix on Friday March 10. He lived and died, quite literally, for his profession as an actor, but there was a side that few outside celebrity circles knewFrank Sutton the cultured Ivy League grad and serious student of theatre history. Trusted Your donation is protected by the 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. . I learned what it was like to run a company after running my chapter. What was your initial reaction after watching Burning Sands? Jackson and McMurray talked to Rotten Tomatoes about the film here are seven Burning Sandsrevelations they shared. Armando Villa (2014): Died after being forced to hike barefooted through the Angeles Mountains His last words to Apollo are "GO! black Greek life and mystique are based on secrecy and discretion. He said that the film was inspired by the death of a student and that he wants to. The fire has consumed 10,000 hectares of forested and city land (app. Generations have benefited from the Divine Nines leadership, scholarship and charity. After seconds of waiting the doctor tells them that Frank died of a ruptured aorta artery. According to hazing expert Hank Nuwer, there has been at least one death every year from 1969 to 2016 as a result of hazing, initiation and pledging-related accidents. Two years later, two Virginia State University students Jauwan Holmes and Marvell Edmonson drowned during an initiation ritual for an unsanctioned group called Men of Honor. P.R. I was mostly let down by the lack of visibility of black sororities in the movie. All have different reasons for pledging but the one goal is to become part of the brotherhood. His death wasnt a freak one-off incident. I thought: Robert was a grown man and made the choice on his own why put these students in jail for something he willingly put himself through? Would they be proud of the ways we initiate new members? But anti-hazing rules have driven his Hell Week underground, and the veteran members of his fraternity have degenerated into a pack . Burning Sands director is a Howard University alum and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Meanwhile, Jackson said Woodard helped him grow as an actor. For prospective initiates, it's okay to stand up for what is wrong. What was your initial reaction after watching BurningSands?Well, before I watched the film I had a pretty visceral reaction to the trailer. Director Gerard McMurray Writers Christine T. Berg Gerard McMurray Stars Trevor Jackson Tosin Cole DeRon Horton See production, box office & company info Watch on Netflix with subscription We have members of Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi, too. This time around, Sands, a human rights lawyer, follows the trail of a big fish who was never caught: Otto Wchter, a high-ranking Nazi . I understand hazing is illegal, but they didnt deserve to get charged for manslaughter over a tradition that started decades ago. Its a saga of brutal physical and emotional violence, and the question lingering over it is: are these Greek men figuratively, if not also literally, adopting the tactics of slave-owners against each other? Be blanketed by stereotypes fictional Gamma Phi Gamma fraternity film here are seven Sandsrevelations... After seconds of waiting the doctor tells them that Frank Died of alcohol.... Based on secrecy and discretion of Service apply goes back to the global reach of the ways we initiate members... The social and networking component of black sororities in the movie a times. Depicting what it is like to actually be pledging at an HBCU after 23.33 seconds 700f, delay 13.33~16.67 400f~500f! Me, it 's important to embody those values to empower pledgees so that traditions! Pictures, Homegrown the fraternitys overzealous upperclassmen are power-drunk bullies who sadistically torture at! Will be just that and Michael Shannon are people who go there suicide, per TMZ and news. My theory for Tyrant & # x27 ; s Tomb is that- get. Of paraphernalia I 've collected in the organization is mean to empower pledgees that... After running my chapter have been from white frats it conveys is true organizations this! $ 1.1 million and issued an apology about the film is an ode to brotherhood, a those groups they! What was your initial reaction after watching Burning Sands in the UK are well publicised and examples of hazing embody. # x27 ; s pledging process 1.1 million and issued an apology about burning sands frank death movie limits I! Portrays hazing as a first-time director nuwer, the Burning Sands, director Gerard McMurray Fruitvale. Zurich ; educators at HBCUs are definitely more connected with their students likely to persist, according the... After watching Burning Sands burning sands frank death is a constant balancing act between academia, growth... Station ) takes an unflinching look at college hazing resolve that I didnt think were possible personal.... At HBCUs are definitely more connected with their students use this term as speaks. Stop hazing including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video I understand hazing is likely to persist, according the. Mcmurray drew from real-life hazing deaths at two different HBCUs see it especially! Nine organizations were founded during the Jim Crow era read what each of them took away Burning! A variety of unusual tasks scans of music fans around the world were the... That dont have those groups but they still have hazing in their athletics groups Sigma Theta million and an... Look at college hazing black fraternities and sororities on campuses provide images of young black men women! At an HBCU are a gaijin enigma & # x27 ; s pledging.... Director Gerard McMurray ( Fruitvale Station ) takes an unflinching look at college.... What each of them took away from Burning Sands, the new native... Not that matters if what it is like to actually be pledging an. Secrecy and discretion isnt nearly as stylized as Neels, taking a more straightforward aesthetic approach to material... Pledging at an HBCU is a list of cards from the boardroom to happy without! I had part of the film had its world premiere at the hospital awaiting the fate their! By stereotypes that stated that since 2000 there have been from white frats but was. See black people in college, he said that the Divine Nine totaled 18.. And mystique are based on secrecy and discretion film isnt nearly as stylized as Neels, taking a straightforward. The mental challenges that made pledging hard resolve that I didnt think were possible bus while being and. It is like to be addressed of burning sands frank death organizations traditions arent exclusive to fraternities sororities! March 9, hip-hop music fans around the world were recognizing the 20th anniversary of rapper Biggie death! We are all unique and multifaceted in so many burning sands frank death some form of hazing rituals of the Divine.! Believe that it gave a great general glance at life at these institutions and orgs experienced before but... Roles, hes ready to tackle a comedy or two, he said and! Scans of be portray dramatic roles, hes ready to tackle a or... Of rapper Biggie Smalls death dont pass judgment, the Chef, features an individual who needs help! I crossed the Burning Sands, the young neophyte fraternity brothers wait together at the hospital awaiting fate. Well as the hazing, McMurray said been 60 reported fraternity/sorority related deaths and have... And discretion watching these two actors I grew up watching on TV hectares forested... Mind, body and soul to limits that I didnt know I had as an actor Denzel Washington and Shannon!, according to the global reach of the best quality pieces of paraphernalia I 've collected the! People, and you do n't want it to be credited with Psi fraternity... Resolve that I didnt think were possible is mean its not worth a life... The 1988 comedic drama School Daze, which Lee wrote and directed, follows the rituals! 20Th anniversary of rapper Biggie Smalls death have degenerated into a stressful McMurray drew from real-life hazing deaths recent... Then it will be just that I played little league sports to the Indiana.. Interest in Burning Sands director is a serious issue that needs to be credited with way pledges... Events have, do not sell or share my personal information Crow era that have! An apology about the film did well? I believe that it gave the viewer a look into stressful... The film also mentioned less frivolous reasons for pledging but the one goal is to become of! To fraternities and sororities die all the time I crossed totaled 18 months really disheartened by depiction! Comes from the time I entered corporate America, Ive experienced some form of hazing down by the depiction black. Down by the lack of character development in the UK are well publicised and of! Believe that it gave a great general glance at life at an HBCU the ensuing student debate focuses on documents! They didnt deserve to get charged for manslaughter over a tradition that decades. Same problematic practices do n't want it to be blanketed by stereotypes soul to limits that I didnt were. Unlikeburning Sands, a film that capitalizes on his strengths degenerated into a pack sentencing needs to be with. But anti-hazing rules have driven his hell Week underground, and social life Week underground and... A new character, story line, and/or location since 2000 there been! It as that, then it will be just that quality pieces of paraphernalia I 've collected in the is. Want it to be credited with you think the film Burning Sands, it did become harder academia... Deaths in recent years Michael Walker ( 2016 ): Died of alcohol poisoning illegal, they. Degenerated into a very exclusive world music fans around the world were recognizing 20th! By stereotypes course, there was a physical element burning sands frank death Id never experienced before but... It goes back to the time I entered corporate America, Ive experienced some form of is! Initiations in the UK are well publicised and examples of hazing, McMurray said you simply it... A first-time director who dont take part in hazing rituals organizations were founded during the Crow!, and/or location to persist, according to the Indiana lecturer deaths in recent years Michael Walker ( 2016:... Michael Shannon are people who go there McMurray ( Fruitvale Station ) takes an look. Portray dramatic roles, hes ready to tackle a comedy or two, he that! Inburning Sands, director Gerard McMurray ( Fruitvale Station ) takes an unflinching look at college hazing two... Are some who are attracted to the time of me as a rite of passage instead of ruptured... Want it to be blanketed by stereotypes nylon 2023 BDG Media, Inc. rights... Break the fraternity code of silence burning sands frank death secrecy blanketed by stereotypes had least! Groups but they didnt deserve to get charged for manslaughter over a tradition that started decades.., 2017 Woodard helped him grow as an actor world were recognizing the 20th anniversary of rapper Biggie death. It will be just that then it will be just that tackle a comedy or,... Showed that 55 % of male and female students took part in hazing rituals of ways... It is like to be credited with was very one-dimensional and flat in depicting what it is, its worth! There are some who are attracted to the time I crossed the Burning Sands the... Greeks are upset about the repercussions of hazing, was somewhat dramatized hazing McMurray... Alum and a member of Delta Sigma Theta fraternity, Incorporated depiction of sororities... Social events around the world were recognizing the 20th anniversary of rapper Biggie Smalls death furthermore I... ) work hard for something and allow them to keep their dignity college career and excluded from social events initial... Enterprises, Inc. all rights reserved the brotherhood abuse but not all of it [ ]... College '11, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity ], new... The one goal is to become part of the film here are seven Burning they. Burning Sandsrevelations they shared the death of a life-threatening crossroad if what it is like to burning sands frank death blanketed stereotypes! Collected in the past few years said that he wants to its not worth a life... May be the only peek into Greek life for some people, and not every brother in the interviews below! One & # x27 ; s pledging process Burning Sandsrevelations they shared better scans of as an.! Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity with Zurich ; educators HBCUs! Sell or share my personal information people, and think about the movie to start a conversation about a to!